Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum 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
Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum and Paytm SBI Card differ first on recurring cost: Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum has an annual fee of ₹499 + GST against ₹499 + GST for Paytm SBI Card, so holding cost is identical. On rewards, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum earns 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year while Paytm SBI Card earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. Both publish the same 3.5% forex markup. 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 2026-08-04. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum | Paytm SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Kotak Mahindra Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹499 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹499 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend | ₹1,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100 |
| Accelerated routes | 8 Reward Points per ₹150 on issuer-listed special categories, and on all eligible spend once ₹2 lakh of annual spend is reached | 3 Reward Points per ₹100 · 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load | fuel, wallet load, balance transfer, cash advance, easy money, encash, dial a draft, atm withdrawal, fees, education, flexipay, merchant emi |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | none | none |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa Platinum | Visa |
| Best suited to | movies, first card, milestone spender | paytm ecosystem, cashback, first card |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-04 | Checked 2026-07-30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum better than the Paytm SBI Card?
Neither is universally better. Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum charges ₹499 + GST a year and earns 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year; 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, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum or Paytm SBI Card?
Both cards carry the same recorded annual fee of ₹499 + GST, so the decision rests on rewards, caps and exclusions rather than holding cost.
Which is better for international spending, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum or Paytm SBI Card?
Both publish a 3.5% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
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.