Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro
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
Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna and ICICI Bank Sapphiro differ first on recurring cost: Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna has an annual fee of ₹2,499 + GST against ₹3,500 + GST for ICICI Bank Sapphiro, so Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna earns 3 RP/₹100 (worth ₹0.75 as cashback) while ICICI Bank Sapphiro earns 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic retail spend. Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna has the lower forex markup at 2%. 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 | Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna | ICICI Bank Sapphiro |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) | ICICI Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹2,499 + GST | ₹6,500 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹2,499 + GST | ₹3,500 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹2,50,000 annual eligible spend | ₹6,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 3 RP/₹100 (worth ₹0.75 as cashback) | 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic retail spend |
| Accelerated routes | 15 RP/₹100 (worth 3.75% as cashback) | international spends · utility, insurance and government payments |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, cash withdrawal, emi, grocery, insurance, education, government, charity, agriculture | fuel, rent, wallet load, cash advance, fees |
| Forex markup | 2% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | unlimited for primary + add-on (₹75K net spend in prior calendar quarter, effective 15 July 2026) | 4/quarter (₹75,000 spend in previous quarter) |
| International lounge | none complimentary | 2/yr + complimentary Priority Pass membership |
| Card networks | Visa Signature | Visa Signature, Mastercard World, Amex, RuPay |
| Best suited to | online shopping, domestic lounge, fitness, value premium | lounge, golf, premium lifestyle |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-28 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna better than the ICICI Bank Sapphiro?
Neither is universally better. Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna charges ₹2,499 + GST a year and earns 3 RP/₹100 (worth ₹0.75 as cashback); ICICI Bank Sapphiro charges ₹3,500 + GST and earns 2 ICICI Bank Reward Points per ₹100 on eligible domestic retail spend. 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, Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna or ICICI Bank Sapphiro?
Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹2,499 + GST. 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, Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna or ICICI Bank Sapphiro?
Bank of Baroda (BOBCARD) Eterna publishes the lower forex markup at 2% 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.