SBI Shaurya Select Credit Card Review (Defence)

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SBI Shaurya Select Credit Card Review

SBI Card · Defence personnel · Visa Signature
Our score: 7.2 / 10
Annual fee: ₹1,499 + GST (Y1 waived; renewal waived on ₹1.5L+ spend)
5X RP on CSD, Dining, Movies, Departmental, Grocery
4 domestic lounges/year + Personal Accident cover
Forex: 3.5%

Best for: Serving and retired Indian armed forces personnel (Army, Navy, Air Force) who want a dedicated card with relevant benefits.

What we like
  • First-year fee waived; renewal ₹1,499+GST waived on annual spend ≥ ₹1,50,000
  • 5X Reward Points on CSD, Dining, Movies, Departmental Stores and Grocery; 2 RP per ₹100 on all other categories
  • Reward redemption: 4 RP = ₹1 (cardholder pays outstanding with RP); also redeemable via Rewards Catalogue
  • Renewal benefit: 1,500 RP credited every year
  • Milestones: ₹500 Pizza Hut e-voucher on ₹50,000 quarterly spend; ₹7,000 Yatra/Pantaloons e-voucher on ₹5L annual spend
  • 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year
  • Personal Accidental Insurance cover
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver (refer current MITC for cap)
Watch out for
  • Benefits tied to defence identity — limited to target audience
  • Forex 3.5%
  • Non-defence audiences better served by SimplySave or SimplyClick
  • No international lounge

Fees & charges

ItemCharge
Joining fee₹1,500 + GST
Renewal fee₹1,500 + GST
Finance charge3.6% p.m.
Cash advance fee2.5% (min ₹500)
Forex markup3.5%
Late payment feeUp to ₹1,300

Rewards structure

Base 2 RP per ₹100. Dining spends earn 10× (10 points per ₹100 = 4% cashback equivalent). CSD canteen purchases earn bonus 5× points. Points redeem at ₹0.25 per point (so headline rates translate to 0.5% base, 2.5% on dining). Milestone spends (₹1.5L annual) unlock a welcome-style voucher.

Key benefits

  • Annual fee waiver for eligible defence personnel
  • 8 domestic lounge visits per year
  • 10× RP on dining
  • 5× RP on CSD canteen spends
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver
  • Air accident cover ₹1 crore

Who the SBI Shaurya Select is for

Serving or retired armed forces officers, JCOs and civilian defence staff. The fee-waiver path + CSD benefits make this the default for this cohort. Non-defence customers should pick a civilian equivalent.

Final verdict

A targeted card that does its job well for the intended audience. If you are not in the defence services, none of the standout benefits apply — skip this card.

FAQ

Do I need a defence service certificate to apply?

Yes — service ID card, discharge certificate or ECHS card is required for the fee-waiver and accelerated benefits.

Can retired personnel hold this card?

Yes — retired officers with ECHS/pension certificates are eligible, with the same waiver benefits.

Are CSD spends genuinely accelerated?

Yes — CSD canteen swipes are recognised by category code and earn the 5× bonus automatically.

Fees and features verified against the issuer's public website. Benefits may vary; always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.

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