From 1 December 2026, SBI Card adds two new fees. If a billing cycle's fuel spend goes over ₹50,000, it charges 1% on all of that cycle's fuel spend. It also charges 1% on every transportation transaction above ₹30,000. SBI posted both on its cardholder notice board on 27 October 2026, and they are already in its MITC.
What changed
| Until 30 November 2026 | From 1 December 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel (MCCs 5172, 5541, 5542, 5983) | No fee | 1% of the cycle's total fuel spend, once that total exceeds ₹50,000 |
| Transportation (MCCs 4111, 4784, 4131) | No fee | 1% of each transaction above ₹30,000 |
The fuel fee is a cliff, not a slab. SBI's own example in the MITC: ₹60,000 of fuel in one cycle draws a fee of ₹600, which is 1% of the full ₹60,000. The MITC adds GST to all fees, at 18% for most cardholders. SBI's Cashback card terms label MCC 4784 as tolls.
Who is affected
The MITC applies both fees to transactions "using your SBI Credit Card" and lists no exempt card. That includes the fuel co-brand BPCL SBI Card Octane, along with SBI Card Elite, SBI Prime, Cashback SBI Card, SimplyClick, SimplySave, Pulse and the IRCTC SBI card. Nothing changes for cardholders whose fuel spend stays at or under ₹50,000 a cycle, or whose transport payments are each ₹30,000 or less.
What to do
For most people, this costs nothing. Our three standard spend profiles put fuel at ₹3,000, ₹3,000 and ₹6,000 a month, a long way from the line.
It matters if you put a fleet, a business vehicle or a household's fuel on one SBI card. On Octane, BPCL fuel earns 25 points per ₹100 up to 2,500 points per statement cycle, worth ₹625 at 4 points to ₹1. The surcharge waiver adds at most ₹100 a cycle. So, per billing cycle:
| BPCL fuel on Octane | Fuel rewards | Surcharge waiver (max) | New fee + 18% GST | Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹50,000 | ₹625 | ₹100 | ₹0 | up to ₹725 |
| ₹50,001 | ₹625 | ₹100 | ₹590 | up to ₹135 |
| ₹60,000 | ₹625 | ₹100 | ₹708 | up to ₹17 |
The first rupee over ₹50,000 costs about ₹590. Spend that would push the cycle past the line is better put on another card. The fee follows the billing cycle, not the calendar month. BPCL Octane vs IndianOil HDFC compares the two pump-brand cards, and our fuel surcharge guide explains why the waiver is not reward income.
Sources
- SBI Card — Notices for Cardholders: both fees, effective 1 December 2026. Website notice dated 27 October 2026, read 29 October 2026.
- SBI Card — Most Important Terms and Conditions: sections N and O, the ₹60,000 illustration and GST on fees. Read 29 October 2026.
- SBI Card — BPCL SBI Card OCTANE terms and conditions: 25 points per ₹100 at BPCL, 2,500 points per statement cycle, surcharge waiver up to ₹100 a month. Read 29 October 2026.
- SBI Card — CASHBACK SBI Card revised benefits: MCC 4784 listed as tolls. Read 29 October 2026.