State Bank of India
BPCL
The SBI BPCL is the quintessential entry-level fuel card, offering a 4.25% value-back on Bharat Petroleum spends.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 29 May 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹499
Joining Fee
₹499
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹10,000 annually
Lounge Access
See details
Forex Markup
3.5%
Effective Yield
0.25% – 4.25%
Our Take
The SBI BPCL is the quintessential entry-level fuel card, offering a 4.25% value-back on Bharat Petroleum spends. While its ₹499 fee is modest, a critical May 2026 update has doubled the annual spend required for a fee waiver to ₹1 lakh, making it a "fuel-only" tool rather than a general-purpose wallet staple.In 2026, the standard BPCL card remains a surgical instrument for fuel savings, delivering 13X Reward Points (3.25%) plus a 1% surcharge waiver at BPCL pumps. However, users must be aware of the "spend-threshold shift": from May 1, 2026, the annual fee reversal now requires ₹1 lakh in spends, up from the previous ₹50,000. An unbiased review must highlight that while it offers 5X points on groceries and movies, it lacks airport lounge access entirely—a perk now exclusive to the "Octane" variant. With a 0.25% base reward rate and a 2,000-point welcome bonus, its value is strictly maximized by those spending ₹2,500–₹5,000 monthly on fuel.
Pros
- Elite 4.25% Fuel Value-Back: Earns 13 Reward Points per ₹100 (3.25% value) at BPCL petrol pumps, plus a 1% surcharge waiver. For a daily commuter, this is the most efficient way to 'discount' their monthly fuel bill by over 4%.
- Accelerated 1.25% Lifestyle Yield: Offers 5 Reward Points per ₹100 on Groceries, Dining, Movies, and Departmental stores. While modest, it's a higher reward rate than most basic cards, making it useful for routine weekend spending.
- The 'Net-Zero' Welcome Benefit: Upon paying the ₹499 joining fee, you receive 2,000 Reward Points worth ₹500. This effectively makes the card free for the first year, allowing your readers to test the fuel savings with zero risk.
- Easy Annual Fee Waiver: The ₹499 renewal fee is waived if you spend just ₹50,000 in a year. For anyone spending ~₹4,200 a month on fuel and basic groceries, this card becomes a permanent Lifetime Free (LTF) asset.
- Broad BPCL Redemption Network: Unlike some co-branded cards that have complex redemption portals, you can redeem your SBI BPCL points instantly at over 1,200 partner BPCL outlets across India to pay for fuel.
Cons
- The 2026 '4,000-Point' Liquidity Lock: As of April 1, 2026, SBI requires all statement credit redemptions to be made in multiples of 4,000 points. If a user has 3,500 points (₹875 value), they cannot redeem them until they earn another 500 points.
- Total Lack of Lounge Access: Unlike its 'Octane' sibling, the standard BPCL card provides zero airport or railway lounge visits. If your readers are travelers, they will need a second card for their station or airport comfort.
- Strict Monthly Fuel Capping: Accelerated fuel rewards (13x) are capped at 1,300 points per month. This means you only get the 4.25% benefit on the first ₹10,000 you spend on fuel; everything after that earns a measly 0.25%.
- New 2026 'Dead' Categories: Following SBI's latest unified policy, zero reward points are earned on Rent, Insurance, Utilities, and Education payments. Furthermore, these categories no longer count toward the ₹50,000 fee-waiver milestone.
- Punitive 'Forex' and 'Other' Rates: Carries a standard 3.5% + GST forex markup and offers a tiny 0.25% base reward rate for 'other' retail spends. It is a poor choice for international use or large non-fuel/grocery purchases.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| BPCL Fuel & Lubricants | 13 Reward Points (RP) per ₹100 | 4.25% | 1,300 RP per billing cycle |
| Groceries, Dining & Movies | 5 RP per ₹100 | 1.25% | 5,000 RP per billing cycle |
| Other Retail Spends | 1 RP per ₹100 | 0.25% | No Upper Cap |
| Excluded Categories | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹1 Lakh | Fee Waiver (New 2026 Rule)0 pts | ₹499 + GST Savings | Effective May 1, 2026, the annual fee waiver threshold increased to ₹1 Lakh (from ₹50k). |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| BPCL Fuel Stations (Instant) | ₹0.25 per point4:1 Ratio | Best Value (Redeem instantly at over 1,200 BPCL outlets with no fees) |
| Statement Credit (Cash) | ₹0.25 per point4:1 Ratio | Restricted (Effective April 2026, must redeem in multiples of 4,000 points; capped at 60k/month) |
What You Need to Know
Fuel Reward Cap
13X rewards are capped at 1,300 points per month.
Impact: Spending more than ₹10,000/month on fuel at BPCL will result in 0% rewards for the excess.
New Redemption Friction
Redeeming points for statement credit now requires multiples of 4,000 points.
Impact: Small spenders will find their points 'trapped' for longer before they can cash out.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Transactions: Cash advances, Balance Transfers, Encash, and Flexipay do not earn Reward Points.
Welcome Offer
Activation Bonus
Get 2,000 Reward Points worth ₹500 on payment of the joining fee.
Dining Benefits
Dining Rewards
5X Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on Dining.
Milestone Benefits
Annual Fee Reversal
Renewal fee is waived upon achieving annual spends of ₹1,00,000 or more in the preceding year.
Additional Features
Fuel Reward Points
13X Reward Points on every ₹100 spent at BPCL fuel stations (up to 2,500 points per billing cycle).
Accelerated Rewards
5X Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on Dining, Groceries, Departmental stores, and Movies (up to 5,000 points per cycle).
Contactless Payment
Equipped with contactless technology for fast and secure transactions.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹499 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹499 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹10,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Primary cardholder: 21 to 70 years; Add-on cardholder: Above 18 years.
Employment
Salaried or Self-employed individuals with a steady income.
Location
Resident of India.
Ready to apply for BPCL?
Annual fee: ₹499 · Waived on ₹10,000 spend
Annual fee
₹499
0.25% – 4.25% yield