The SBI Cashback Card set the gold standard for cashback in India.
But after the April 1, 2026 devaluation, many are asking: Is it dead? The short answer is No.
I hold 20+ credit cards to date, but it remains my go-to card for everyday expenses. I’ve have earned ₹77,000+ in cashback to date.
In this 2026 review, I will fully analyze the SBI Cashback Card and show you the 3 specific hacks I use to force 5% cashback on “excluded” spends like utility bills, fuel, and jewelry.
Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Type | Cashback |
| Cashback Rate | Up to 5% |
| Eligibility* | 21-70 year old 25-30k/month income 750+ credit score |
| Best For | 5% cashback on all online spends |
Applying your first card? Check out the SBI SimplyClick, the best entry-level card in 2026.
Annual Fee
| Parameter | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹999 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | – |
| Renewal Fee | ₹999 + GST |
| Renewal Benefit | – |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | ₹2L annual spend |
🔒 Safe & Secure by SBI Card
ROI — Why I Hold It?
I have been using the SBI Cashback card since 2024, and have earned 77K+ cashback till date.
Even with no welcome/renewal benefit, the math is simple: SBI Cashback card pays for itself 20 times over.
- Annual Savings: ₹24,000 in a year If you max out the new ₹2,000 monthly cap, you earn—without even counting the 1% offline cashback.
- Fee Waiver: If you spend ₹2 Lakhs annually (avg. ₹16,666/month), the fee is waived entirely, making your ₹10,000+ cashback 100% free.
Flipkart Axis Bank Card
Best cashback card for Flipkart, Myntra, & Cleartrip users.
- 7.5% on Myntra, 5% on Flipkart & Cleartrip
- 4% on Swiggy, Uber, Cultfit, PVR
- 1% on all other spends
Features & Benefits
| Features | Details |
|---|---|
| Online Spends | 5% Cashback (Capped at ₹2,000/mo) |
| Offline Spends | 1% Cashback (Capped at ₹2,000/mo) |
| Merchant Freedom | No merchant restrictions |
| Fuel Benefit | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver (on txn between ₹500 – ₹3,000) |
| Add-on Cards | Up to 3 free add-on cards for family members |
| Forex Fee | 3.5% + GST |
| Lounge Access | – |
No cashback on: Fuel, wallet loads, rent, jewellery, education, utilities, insurance, gift/novelty shops, railways, cash, digital gaming, tolls, and government transactions.
💡 Key Takeaway: SBI Cashback is a value-driven card with hard cash benefit. Don’t expect travel and lifestyle benefits like lounge access, zero forex, etc. Check out the 2026’s best cards for lounge access with no spend conditions.
Scapia Card
Best beginner travel card with lounge access and zero forex markup.
- Unlimited lounge access
- Zero forex markup
- Zero annual fee
SBI Cashback Card Hacks
SBI excludes fuel, electricity, water, gas, and broadband bills from earning cashback. If you pay the biller directly, you get nothing.
But I don’t settle for nothing 😌
5% cashback on utility bills 💡
Here’s how to get 5% cashback on utility bills:
- Open the Amazon App
Ensure you have an active Amazon account. - Buy an Amazon Pay Gift Card
Go to the “Gift Cards” section and purchase a voucher for the amount of your bill. - Pay with SBI Cashback Card
This counts as an “Online Shopping” transaction, earning you the full 5% cashback. - Load to Wallet
Add the voucher code to your Amazon Pay balance. - Pay Your Bill
Use the balance to pay your electricity, water, or broadband bill via Amazon Pay.
Result: You just saved 5% on recharges and utility bills that officially earn zero cashback.
5% cashback on fuel ⛽️
Step-by-step trick to get 5% cashback on fuel:
- Visit a Gift Card Platform
Open an online portal like Woohoo or Gyftr. - Select IOCL Vouchers
Choose the Indian Oil (IOCL) fuel voucher of your desired denomination. - Checkout using SBI Cashback Card
Since this is an online gift card purchase, it triggers the 5% cashback. - Redeem at Petrol Pump
Present the voucher (SMS/Email) at any authorized IOCL pump during your next refill.
Result: You get 5% cashback on fuel, avoiding the fuel surcharge as well.
Related: SBI Cashback vs Flipkart Axis Credit Card — Which Wins?
5% cashback on jewelry 💍
I recently bought silver bars and received the 5% cashback. Here’s how:
- Open the AJIO App/Website
Search for gold & silver coins, or fine jewelry. - Add to Cart
Select your items and proceed to the payment page. - Pay via SBI Cashback Card
Complete the transaction directly on the AJIO platform. - Verification
Check your SBICARD app for cashback earned within 2 days.
How it works: SBICARD categorizes AJIO transactions as “Apparel & Accessories” rather than “Jewelry.” Since it’s an online spend under a non-excluded category, it triggers the full 5% reward.
The Result: You earn the full 5% online cashback on gold and silver. As you can see in my screenshot above, I bought silver bars worth ₹37,910 on AJIO and earned ₹1,895 cashback i.e. 5% on a single AJIO purchase, bringing my total earnings to ₹77,696.
Save 5% cashback everywhere 💡⛽️
SBI Cashback vs. The Rivals
I personally hold all the major cashback cards in the market, and my strategy is simple: Optimization over Loyalty. Here is how the SBI Cashback card stacks up against the competitors in my wallet:
| Feature | SBI Cashback | Swiggy HDFC (BLCK) | Amazon Pay ICICI | SBI Tata Neu Infinity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹999 + GST (waived at ₹2 lakhs spend) | No Joining Fee; ₹1000 + GST (waived at ₹2 lakhs spend) | Lifetime Free | ₹1499 + GST (waived at ₹3 lakhs spend) |
| Online Reward | 5% (Universal) | 10% (Swiggy), 5% (online) | 5% (Amazon Purchases) | 5% on Tata Brands + 5% on Tata Neu |
| Monthly Cap | ₹2,000 | ₹1,500 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Reward Redemption | Direct statement credit | Direct statement credit | Amazon pay balance | TataNeu Coins |
| Lounge Access | None | None | None | 8 Dom / 4 Int |
| Best For | Everyday online spends | Swiggy and online retail spends | Unlimited cashback on Amazon retail spends | UPI and Tata Neu spends |
My Personal Experience
While I use SBI Cashback as my go to card, I also have:
- Swiggy HDFC (BLCK): While the 10% on Swiggy, Instamart, and Dineout is great, the card is highly restricted. I tried using it for Amazon vouchers and AJIO jewelry—zero cashback. I keep it because I got it as a Lifetime Free (LTF) card for food delivery and dining.
- Amazon Pay ICICI: It’s a solid LTF card, but it’s “lazy.” It gives 5% on Amazon and almost nothing elsewhere. It has no “hacks” for fuel or utilities.
- Tata Neu Infinity (RuPay): This is my go-to for UPI spends (1.5% cashback) and the Tata ecosystem (Taj/Croma/TataCliq). I’ve stopped using it for utilities because of the new convenience fees. However, I frequently use it for Airport Lounge access.
Also check out the detailed comparison b/w SBI Cashback & SimplyClick Card.
IDFC First Wow Card
Build credit score effortlessly with high interest and travel benefits.
- Zero forex markup
- Earn ~6.5% p.a. on your FD
- Zero annual fee
Honest Pros & Cons
Pros
- Universal 5% cashback: Works on almost any website (Uber, Myntra, Apple, Zomato).
- Statement Credit: Real money, not “points” or “coins.”
- The Hack Factor: 5% on Utilities, Fuel, and Jewelry.
Cons
- Cap: ₹2,000 monthly limit on 5% spends.
- Extras: No lounge access or movie benefits.
Mobodaily Rating: ⭐ 4.5/5
Final Verdict
Should you apply the SBI Cashback card in 2026?
Yes, definitely.
Tbh, if I had to choose one cashback card to carry, it would be the SBI Cashback Card.
Even with the April 2026 devaluation, its versatility is unmatched. By using the Amazon Pay and AJIO hacks mentioned above, I can force this card to give me 5% cashback on categories where every other card on this list fails.
🔒 Safe & Secure Via SBI Card
The Bottom Line: Don’t let the ₹999 fee scare you. If you spend at least ₹2,000 a month online, this card is literally free money.
Are you a SBI Cashback card user? Share your views in the comments!
FAQs
What is the eligibility to get the Cashback SBI Card?
To be eligible for this card, you generally need to meet the following criteria:
– Age: 21 to 60 years.
– Employment: Salaried or Self-Employed.
– Income: A minimum monthly income of ₹30,000 for salaried individuals or an ITR of ₹5 Lakhs+ for self-employed professionals.
– Credit Score: A healthy score of 750+ significantly improves your approval chances.
Can I convert my existing SBI Credit Card to a Cashback Card?
No. SBI does not allow card upgrades or conversions to the Cashback variant. You must apply for this as a new card (second card), even if you already hold an SBI SimplyClick or Elite card.
I already have one SBI Card. Can I get the SBI Cashback card?
Yes! You can hold the SBI Cashback card alongside your existing SBI cards (like SimplyClick, SimplySave, or Elite). However, SBI does not allow a direct “upgrade” or “conversion” to the Cashback variant. You must apply for it as a fresh second card. Since you are an existing customer, the process is often faster and might even be offered as a “pre-approved” card in your SBI Card app.
Does the SBI Cashback Card offer Lounge Access?
No. This card is a pure cashback tool and does not provide any complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access. For lounge benefits, I recommend pairing this with the Tata Neu Infinity (RuPay).
Can I use the Amazon Gift Card hack for LIC or Health Insurance?
Most insurers now block “Gift Card Balance” payments. However, you can try using the CoverSure app and selecting Amazon Pay at checkout. This allows you to use your loaded balance to pay premiums for companies like LIC, Star Health, and ICICI Prudential while still enjoying your 5% cashback from the voucher purchase.
Disclaimer: I am not a financial advisor and this review is for educational purposes. The cashback figures and “hacks” mentioned in this post (such as the AJIO and Amazon Pay workarounds) are based on my personal usage and current credit card statements. Banks can change Merchant Category Codes (MCC) or terms and conditions at any time without prior notice. Always test with a small transaction first. Read full privacy policy and disclaimer here.
- Axis My Zone Vs Axis Rewards Credit Card 2026 - June 27, 2026
- Axis My Zone vs Axis Neo Credit Card 2026 - June 26, 2026
- Axis My Zone vs Axis IndianOil Credit Card Comparison - June 25, 2026