Premium credit cards often come with high annual fees, and SBI Aurum is no exception. Positioned as a luxury rewards card for affluent users, SBI Aurum offers an array of benefits across travel, lifestyle, shopping, and rewards. But the big question many potential applicants ask is — Is SBI Aurum really worth the high annual fee?
To help you decide, this article breaks down the card’s benefits, hidden costs, milestone rewards, lifestyle perks, and how the annual fee compares with the value you actually get back.
SBI Aurum carries a premium annual fee, which is higher than most standard credit cards but common for high-end cards. The annual fee often makes users pause and question whether the benefits justify the cost.
The answer depends largely on how well you use the card, how much you spend, and whether you can maximise its benefits through strategic spending.
One of the most talked-about aspects of SBI Aurum is its reward points program.
The card earns reward points on everyday spending. However, the effective value of reward points largely depends on how you redeem them. In many cases, the redemption value per point on SBI Aurum is modest compared with other premium cards. This means you have to earn and redeem a large number of points to offset the annual fee purely through reward value.
That said, Aurum’s strength lies in its milestone benefits, which are structured in a way to compensate for the relatively lower reward rate.
SBI Aurum offers milestone rewards that provide extra value back as you spend more through the year. These milestone rewards include premium vouchers and branded experiences that many users find valuable.
For high spenders, milestone benefits can significantly boost overall value and help recover a large portion of the annual fee. If you consistently put most of your spends on the card, these milestone rewards can make the card cost-effective.
This makes SBI Aurum more rewarding for those who have regular high spends rather than occasional card users.
Beyond reward points and milestone benefits, SBI Aurum offers a suite of lifestyle privileges that add to its overall value proposition.
These benefits often include:
These lifestyle benefits can boost perceived value, especially for users who frequently travel, dine out, or enjoy leisure experiences.
For frequent travellers, SBI Aurum provides attractive travel benefits such as international lounge access and selected travel partner privileges.
Some of these travel benefits include:
If you travel often, these travel benefits alone can justify a portion of the annual fee, especially when combined with milestone rewards and travel redemptions.
While SBI Aurum offers many benefits, it also comes with some costs you should factor in.
These may include:
These hidden costs reduce the net value of benefits over time, so it is important to read the terms and conditions carefully before applying.
SBI Aurum is best suited for people who:
If you fall into this group, SBI Aurum can deliver strong value and compensate for its annual cost through savings and perks you would otherwise pay for separately.
On the other hand, SBI Aurum may not be worth the high annual fee if:
In such cases, mid-segment or all-rounder credit cards may offer better value without the high annual commitment.
If SUV-style premium cards like SBI Aurum feel too heavy for your needs, consider premium cards with:
Comparing alternatives while keeping your spending patterns in mind helps ensure you choose a credit card that aligns with your lifestyle and financial goals.
So, is SBI Aurum worth its high annual fee?
The honest answer is that it depends on your spending habits and lifestyle. If you are a high spender who travels often, enjoys premium perks, and can leverage milestone rewards to the fullest, SBI Aurum can deliver strong overall value and feel worth the cost.
For moderate spenders or users with different priorities, mid-tier reward or cashback cards may deliver better net savings without the burden of a premium annual fee.
Before you apply, take time to review your annual spend, expected travel frequency, and how much value you can realistically extract from the card’s benefits. A thoughtful decision will ensure your credit card works for you and not the other way around.