AU Small Finance Bank LIT vs Paytm SBI Card
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
AU Small Finance Bank LIT and Paytm SBI Card differ first on recurring cost: AU Small Finance Bank LIT has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹499 + GST for Paytm SBI Card, so AU Small Finance Bank LIT is cheaper to hold. On rewards, AU Small Finance Bank LIT earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible retail spend while Paytm SBI Card earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. AU Small Finance Bank LIT has the lower forex markup at 3.49%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | AU Small Finance Bank LIT | Paytm SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | AU Small Finance Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹0 | ₹499 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹499 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | ₹1,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible retail spend | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100 |
| Accelerated routes | Up to 10 Reward Points per ₹100 with a separately paid 90-day feature · Up to 5% cashback with a separately paid 90-day feature | 3 Reward Points per ₹100 · 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, cash advance, school, government, quasi cash | fuel, wallet load, balance transfer, cash advance, easy money, encash, dial a draft, atm withdrawal, fees, education, flexipay, merchant emi |
| Forex markup | 3.49% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | available only as a paid selectable feature | none |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa | Visa |
| Best suited to | customization, first card, experimenters | paytm ecosystem, cashback, first card |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-07-30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the AU Small Finance Bank LIT better than the Paytm SBI Card?
Neither is universally better. AU Small Finance Bank LIT charges ₹0 a year and earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible retail spend; Paytm SBI Card charges ₹499 + GST and earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, AU Small Finance Bank LIT or Paytm SBI Card?
AU Small Finance Bank LIT has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹0. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, AU Small Finance Bank LIT or Paytm SBI Card?
AU Small Finance Bank LIT publishes the lower forex markup at 3.49% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.