Tired of paying extra 1% fuel surcharge every time you fill up your tank with credit card? Here’s your complete guide to SBI credit cards that offer fuel surcharge waivers and how much you can actually save in 2025.
Quick Answer: 8 SBI credit cards offer fuel surcharge waiver in 2025: BPCL SBI Cards (Rs. 100/month cap), SBI Elite & Pulse (Rs. 250/month cap), and SimplySAVE series (Rs. 100/month cap). All provide 1% waiver on transactions between Rs. 500-4,000.
Table of Contents
Understanding SBI Credit Card Fuel Surcharge Waiver
When you pay for fuel using any credit card in India, petrol pumps charge an additional 1% surcharge (minimum Rs. 10) on top of your fuel cost. For instance – If one purchases fuel worth Rs. 200, he may have to pay between Rs. 205 and Rs. 218 due to fuel surcharge. Banks offer waiver of this fuel surcharge as one of the benefits on their credit cards.
What Does Fuel Surcharge Waiver Mean? If your SBI credit card has a fuel surcharge waiver, then it means you don’t have to pay the surcharge fees when you use the card to pay for petrol/diesel.
Complete SBI Credit Card Fuel Surcharge Waiver List 2025
Tier 1: Premium SBI Credit Cards with Higher Waiver Limits
1. SBI Card ELITE
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver across all petrol pumps. Maximum Surcharge Waiver of Rs. 250 per month, per statement cycle
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 4,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999 + Taxes
Best For: High-income individuals with premium lifestyle needs
Key Benefits:
- Highest monthly waiver cap among all SBI cards
- Works across all petrol pumps in India
- Priority Pass membership worth $99
- 6 complimentary airport lounge visits per year
2. SBI Card PULSE
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% Fuel Surcharge waiver for each transaction between Rs.500 and Rs.4,000. Maximum Surcharge waiver of Rs.250 per statement cycle, per credit card account.
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 4,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 1,499 + Taxes
Best For: Tech enthusiasts and lifestyle-focused users
Key Benefits:
- Smart watch worth Rs. 5,999 as welcome gift
- Domestic lounge access
- Up to Rs. 250 monthly fuel savings
Tier 2: Co-branded Fuel SBI Credit Cards
3. BPCL SBI Card
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Surcharge Waiver applicable only on transactions upto Rs. 4,000/- for a max of Rs. 100/- per billing cycle.
Transaction Range: Up to Rs. 4,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 499 + GST
Best For: BPCL fuel loyalists
Exclusive Benefits:
- 4.25% value-back to consumers in the form of accelerated reward points and fuel surcharge waiver at BPCL petrol pumps
- 13X reward points on BPCL fuel purchases
- 2,000 activation bonus reward points worth Rs. 500
4. BPCL SBI Card OCTANE
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Maximum fuel surcharge waiver of Rs. 100 per statement cycle per credit card account, which is equivalent to an Annual Savings of Rs.1200
Transaction Range: Up to Rs. 4,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 1,499 + GST
Best For: Premium BPCL customers
Premium Benefits:
- 25X reward points on BPCL fuel purchases
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- Annual fee waiver on Rs. 2 lakhs spending
Tier 3: Entry-Level SBI Credit Cards
5. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Get freedom from paying the 1% fuel surcharge at any petrol pump. You get maximum surcharge waiver of up to Rs. 100 per statement cycle
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 499
Best For: First-time credit card users
6. SBI SimplySAVE Advantage Credit Card
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Get freedom from paying the 1% fuel surcharge at any petrol pump. You get maximum surcharge waiver of up to Rs. 100 per statement cycle
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 499
Best For: Budget-conscious users with regular spending
7. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver for each transaction between Rs 500 & Rs 3000 (exclusive of GST, wherever applicable, & all other charges)
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 499
Best For: Online shopping enthusiasts
8. Cashback SBI Card
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver across all petrol pumps in India. Get maximum surcharge waiver of Rs. 100 per statement cycle per credit card account
Transaction Range: Rs. 500 – Rs. 3,000
Annual Fee: Rs. 999
Best For: Cashback lovers
Detailed Comparison: Which SBI Card Saves You Most?
| Card Name | Monthly Waiver Cap | Annual Savings | Transaction Range | Annual Fee | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI Card ELITE | Rs. 250 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 500-4,000 | Rs. 4,999 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SBI Card PULSE | Rs. 250 | Rs. 3,000 | Rs. 500-4,000 | Rs. 1,499 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| BPCL SBI OCTANE | Rs. 100 | Rs. 1,200 | Up to Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 1,499 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| BPCL SBI Card | Rs. 100 | Rs. 1,200 | Up to Rs. 4,000 | Rs. 499 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SimplySAVE Cards | Rs. 100 | Rs. 1,200 | Rs. 500-3,000 | Rs. 499 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cashback SBI Card | Rs. 100 | Rs. 1,200 | Rs. 500-3,000 | Rs. 999 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Real Savings Calculator: How Much Will You Actually Save?
Monthly Fuel Spending Scenarios
Scenario 1: Low Fuel Usage (Rs. 3,000/month)
Best Card: BPCL SBI Card
Monthly Savings: Rs. 30 (1% of Rs. 3,000)
Annual Savings: Rs. 360
Net Benefit: Rs. 360 – Rs. 499 (fee) = Loss of Rs. 139
Scenario 2: Moderate Fuel Usage (Rs. 8,000/month)
Best Card: SBI Card PULSE
Monthly Savings: Rs. 80 (1% of Rs. 4,000 + remaining Rs. 4,000)
Capped Savings: Rs. 250/month
Annual Savings: Rs. 3,000
Net Benefit: Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 1,499 (fee) = Profit of Rs. 1,501
Scenario 3: High Fuel Usage (Rs. 15,000/month)
Best Card: SBI Card ELITE
Monthly Savings: Rs. 250 (capped limit)
Annual Savings: Rs. 3,000
Net Benefit: Rs. 3,000 – Rs. 4,999 (fee) = Loss of Rs. 1,999
Special Features & Additional Benefits by Card Category
BPCL Co-branded Cards Exclusive Benefits
BPCL SBI Card:
- 13* reward points on every ₹100 spent on fuel at BPCL petrol pumps (Max. 1,300 reward points per billing cycle)
- Instant redemption at 1,200+ BPCL outlets
- No minimum threshold for reward redemption
BPCL SBI Card OCTANE:
- 25X reward points on BPCL purchases
- Rs. 2,000 gift vouchers on Rs. 3 lakhs annual spend
- Fee waiver on Rs. 2 lakhs annual spending
Premium Cards Additional Perks
SBI Card ELITE:
- Complimentary membership to the Priority Pass Program worth $99
- Emergency card replacement worldwide
- Golf privileges at select courses
SBI Card PULSE:
- Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 Max Smart Watch worth Rs. 5,999
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh
Eligibility Criteria for SBI Credit Cards with Fuel Waiver
Basic Eligibility Requirements
| Criteria | SimplySAVE Series | BPCL Cards | Premium Cards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years | 21 years | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 65 years | 65 years | 65 years |
| Minimum Income | Rs. 20,000/month | Rs. 20,000/month | Rs. 50,000/month |
| Credit Score | 650+ | 700+ | 750+ |
| Work Experience | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years |
Documents Required
- Income proof (salary slips, ITR, bank statements)
- Identity proof (Aadhaar, PAN, passport)
- Address proof (Aadhaar, utility bills)
- Bank statements (3-6 months)
How to Apply for SBI Credit Card with Fuel Surcharge Waiver?
Online Application Process
- Visit Official Website: Go to sbicard.com
- Choose Your Card: Select from fuel surcharge waiver list
- Check Eligibility: Use online eligibility checker
- Fill Application: Complete personal and professional details
- Upload Documents: Submit required KYC documents
- Track Status: Monitor application through SMS/website
Application Timeline
- Instant Approval: For pre-approved customers
- Regular Processing: 7-21 working days
- Document Verification: 2-3 working days
- Card Delivery: 5-7 working days
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Fuel Savings
Smart Usage Strategies
1. Transaction Amount Optimization
- Keep fuel purchases between Rs. 500-4,000 for maximum benefit
- Split large fuel purchases across multiple transactions if needed
2. Monthly Planning
- Track your monthly waiver usage
- Plan fuel purchases to stay within monthly caps
3. Card Selection Based on Usage
- Low usage (under Rs. 5,000/month): Skip fuel cards, use other benefits
- Medium usage (Rs. 5,000-10,000/month): Choose BPCL SBI Card
- High usage (Rs. 10,000+/month): Go for SBI Card PULSE
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don’t:
- Use fuel cards for transactions below Rs. 500
- Exceed monthly waiver caps unknowingly
- Ignore annual fee vs. savings calculation
✅ Do:
- Combine fuel waiver with reward points benefits
- Use add-on cards for family members
- Pay bills on time to avoid interest charges
Terms & Conditions You Must Know
Important Limitations
Transaction Limits:
- Fuel surcharge waiver applies only to specified transaction ranges
- GST and other charges are excluded from waiver benefits
- Monthly caps are strictly enforced
Eligible Outlets:
- All petrol pumps across India for general cards
- BPCL outlets specifically for co-branded cards
- CNG stations may have different terms
Waiver Processing:
- Surcharge waiver reflected in next billing cycle
- No cash refund for unused waiver amounts
- Waiver calculated on transaction date
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which SBI credit card offers the highest fuel surcharge waiver?
A: SBI Card ELITE and SBI Card PULSE offer the highest monthly waiver of Rs. 250, equivalent to Rs. 3,000 annual savings.
Q: Can I get fuel surcharge waiver on multiple SBI cards?
A: Yes, each card has its own waiver limit, but you’ll pay multiple annual fees.
Q: Does fuel surcharge waiver work at all petrol pumps?
A: General SBI cards work at all pumps, while BPCL co-branded cards work specifically at BPCL outlets for maximum benefits.
Q: What happens if I exceed the monthly waiver limit?
A: You’ll pay standard 1% surcharge on transactions beyond the monthly cap.
Q: Are there any hidden charges for fuel surcharge waiver?
A: No hidden charges, but GST and other applicable taxes are excluded from waiver benefits.
Q: Can I combine fuel surcharge waiver with reward points?
A: Yes, you earn both waiver benefits and reward points on fuel transactions (except on SimplySAVE cards which don’t give points on fuel).
The Bottom Line: Best SBI Credit Card for Fuel Savings in 2025
For Maximum Savings: SBI Card PULSE offers the best value with Rs. 250 monthly waiver cap at moderate annual fee of Rs. 1,499.
For BPCL Users: BPCL SBI Card provides excellent value with low annual fee and additional BPCL-specific benefits.
For Budget Users: SimplySAVE cards offer decent fuel savings with lowest annual fee, perfect for occasional users.
For Premium Users: SBI Card ELITE provides highest waiver limits plus premium lifestyle benefits.
Remember: Choose cards that align with your monthly fuel spending to ensure the annual fee is justified by your actual savings.
Ready to start saving on fuel? Choose the SBI credit card that matches your usage pattern and start cutting down those surcharge costs today!
For more credit card guides and financial tips, check out our best credit cards 2025 and money-saving strategies at TechnoSports.
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