Card News · 31 October 2026 · 3 min read
In short: SBI Card will charge a 1% fee on eligible fuel spends once they cross ₹50,000 in a billing cycle, and on any single transport payment above ₹30,000, from 1 December 2026. The bank announced this in a notice dated 27 October and is emailing customers. With November starting tomorrow, here are the card changes to know.
How the SBI Card fees work
| Spend type | When the fee applies | Fee | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel (MCC 5172, 5541, 5542, 5983) | Total fuel spend in a billing cycle above ₹50,000 | 1% of the whole fuel amount | ₹60,000 fuel = ₹600 fee |
| Transport (MCC 4111, 4784, 4131) | Each single payment above ₹30,000 | 1% of that payment | ₹35,000 payment = ₹350 fee |
An MCC (merchant category code) is a four-digit code the card network gives each shop to say what it sells. Codes 4111, 4784 and 4131 cover commuter transport, tolls and bus services. The notice does not clearly say whether airline or railway tickets are included, and it does not list which SBI cards are covered.
Note the fuel fee is charged on the full amount, not just the part above ₹50,000. Spend ₹50,001 and the fee is about ₹500.
Other card changes coming up
- Axis Bank Neo (from 1 November): the 10% BookMyShow discount (up to ₹100 a month) will need ₹25,000 of card spends in the previous three months, according to PickMyWork.
- HDFC Tata Neu Infinity and Tata Neu Plus (from 25 November): the main cardholder must claim NeuCoins in the Tata Neu app; unclaimed coins expire 12 months after the statement date, as reported by PickMyWork.
- PNB credit cards (from 1 November): revised reward redemption and utility fees. See our earlier report.
What it means for you
- Most people spend far less than ₹50,000 a month on fuel, so they won’t pay this fee. It mainly hits business owners and fleet users.
- If you are close to the limit, split big fuel spends across two cards or two billing cycles.
- Check your SBI Card’s full terms on the official website before 1 December.
- If your card is getting worse, compare alternatives with our credit card finder.
Sources
- BW Businessworld: SBI Card to levy 1% fee on fuel spend above ₹50,000
- India TV: SBI Card rules set to change from December 1
- PickMyWork: Credit card changes in November and December 2026
This is a news summary for education, not investment advice. Figures are as reported on or before 31 October 2026; check official sources before making decisions.