Federal Bank Celesta 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
Federal Bank Celesta and Paytm SBI Card differ first on recurring cost: Federal Bank Celesta has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹499 + GST for Paytm SBI Card, so Federal Bank Celesta is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Federal Bank Celesta earns 1 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend while Paytm SBI Card earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. Federal Bank Celesta 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 | Federal Bank Celesta | Paytm SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Federal 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 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100 |
| Accelerated routes | travel & international spends · dining · insurance | 3 Reward Points per ₹100 · 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, government, financial institution, quasi cash, cash advance | fuel, wallet load, balance transfer, cash advance, easy money, encash, dial a draft, atm withdrawal, fees, education, flexipay, merchant emi |
| Forex markup | 2% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 2/quarter (₹60K spend in prior quarter) | none |
| International lounge | 2/yr, no spend criteria | none |
| Card networks | Visa Signature, Mastercard | Visa |
| Best suited to | balanced, lifetime free, occasional traveler | paytm ecosystem, cashback, first card |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-30 | Checked 2026-07-30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Federal Bank Celesta better than the Paytm SBI Card?
Neither is universally better. Federal Bank Celesta charges ₹0 a year and earns 1 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible 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, Federal Bank Celesta or Paytm SBI Card?
Federal Bank Celesta 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, Federal Bank Celesta or Paytm SBI Card?
Federal Bank Celesta 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.