Customers who use their SBI credit cards to earn reward points on bill payments, insurance premiums, and online shopping may soon get fewer benefits.
SBI Card has announced major changes to the reward points program for PhonePe SBI Credit Card PURPLE and SELECT BLACK cardholders.
The new rules will come into effect from July 1, 2026. Under the revised system, reward point limits will be reduced for several spending categories, while some transactions will no longer earn any reward points at all.
Contents
New Reward Points Limits for PURPLE Cardholders
SBI Card has reduced the monthly reward points limit for PhonePe SBI Credit Card PURPLE users.
Earlier, cardholders could earn up to 1,000 reward points every month on eligible PhonePe transactions.
Under the new rules, insurance-related spending will earn a maximum of 250 reward points, while all other eligible PhonePe spending will be capped at 750 reward points.
The reward points limit on online spending has also been reduced from 1,000 to 750 points per month.
SELECT BLACK Users Will Also Earn Fewer Points
PhonePe SBI Credit Card SELECT BLACK cardholders will also see a reduction in reward point benefits.
Previously, users could earn up to 2,000 reward points per month through PhonePe spending.
From July 1, insurance transactions will earn a maximum of 500 reward points, while other eligible PhonePe spends will be limited to 1,500 reward points.
In addition, the reward points limit for online spending has been cut from 2,000 to 1,000 points per month.
No Reward Points on These Transactions
SBI Card has expanded the list of transactions that will no longer qualify for reward points.
These include:
Toll and bridge payments
Gift purchases
Jewellery shopping
Payments made to educational institutions
Utility bill payments made outside the PhonePe app
Insurance premium payments made outside the PhonePe app
UPI transactions carried out outside the PhonePe app
Customers making these payments will not receive any reward points after the new rules take effect.
What Remains Unchanged?
According to SBI Card, only the reward point limits and eligibility rules are being revised. All other card features and benefits will continue as before.
What Should Cardholders Do?
If you use a PhonePe SBI Credit Card, it is important to review your spending habits before July 1, 2026.
Customers who regularly spend on insurance, utility bills, education fees, jewellery, or UPI transactions may notice a significant drop in reward point earnings.
Understanding the updated rules can help cardholders plan their spending more effectively and make the most of the benefits that remain available.
