Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
Santander UK vs SBI Card
SBI Card
Santander UK
Higher score in this comparison
Where Santander UK and SBI Card differ
| Compare | Santander UKReviewSee alternativesSee alternatives | SBI CardReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | £0 | ₹0 to ₹9,999 |
| Currency conversion fee | 2.95% | 1.99% to 3.5%Lower |
| Card type | Debit | Not confirmed |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
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Key differences
- Santander UK scores higher overall: 9.2 vs 8.7.
- Founded is lower at Santander UK: 1988 vs 1998.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at SBI Card: 1.99% to 3.5% vs 2.95%.
Our verdict on each
Santander UK
Santander UK pairs a balance transfer credit card with a debit card whose monthly fee is £0. It suits UK residents who want one high street name behind everyday spending, and who plan to move an old balance across before spending again on credit.
SBI Card
SBI Card suits business users in India who want a Visa credit line and a balance transfer route, though the pricing runs high. The APR of 45% is the figure to weigh, and the annual fee of INR 499 sits on top of it every year.
Score breakdown
| Area | Santander UK | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8A monthly fee of £0 and a balance transfer fee of 0% keep holding costs down, though currency conversion at 2.95% is the expensive part. | 8.8Annual fee INR 499 and APR 45% against free annual fees on Wise, £0, and Chime Card, $0. |
| Offer | Not confirmed | 8.1The offer is the balance transfer option, fee 2% with an intro period of 2, on Visa network visa. |
| Trust | 9.5Higher | 9.0 |
Which one suits you
Pick Santander UK if trust matter most.
Pick SBI Card if currency conversion fee matter most.
Also worth a look
eToro has currency conversion fee at 0%, against 2.95% for Santander UK and 1.99% to 3.5% for SBI Card.
eToro reviewSources behind this comparison
Santander UK
- santander.co.uk: 5 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk: 1 fact, checked September 26, 2026
SBI Card
- sbicard.com: 9 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | Santander UK | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 138 of 1020 | 35 of 1020 |
| Balance transfer cards | 7 of 35 | 1 of 35 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Santander UK | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Not confirmed | Virtual card, Travel |
| Audience | Not confirmed | Business |
| Legal entity | Santander UK plc | SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | India |
| Founded | 1988Lower | 1998 |
| Support channels | Not confirmed | Phone |
Credit cards
| Fact | Santander UK | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | £0 | ₹499 |
| APR | 24.9%Lower | 45% |
| Rewards type | None | Not confirmed |
| Pricing model | No annual fee | Not confirmed |
| Balance transfer intro period | 12 monthsHigher | 2 months |
| Balance transfer fee | 0%Lower | 2% |
| Credit needed | Not confirmed | Excellent |
| Card kind | Credit | Credit |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Santander UK | SBI Card | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Currency conversion fee | 2.95%highest quarter | 1.99% to 3.5%above the median | 1% |
Median across 387 listed cards.
Pros and cons
Santander UK
Pros
- The balance transfer offer runs for 12, a clear window for moving and clearing an old balance.
- One provider covers the current account, the debit card and the credit card, so the same bank handles the transfer.
- Regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority, with Santander UK plc behind the accounts.
Cons
- Currency conversion of 2.95% is the weak point, ranking 213 of 259 brands on that fee.
- The rewards type is none, so nothing comes back on credit card spending.
- An APR of 24.9% is steep, and with a rewards type of none there is nothing to offset a balance left over from month to month.
SBI Card
Pros
- Balance transfers are available, with a fee of 2% over an intro period of 2.
- Runs on the Visa network, so the card is accepted wherever Visa is taken: visa.
- Virtual card and travel features are both listed, which suits spending abroad: virtual card and travel.
Cons
- The APR is 45%, which ranks 123 of 133 brands on rate.
- An annual fee of INR 499 applies, against £0 on Wise and $0 on Chime Card.
- Support runs on phone only, so there is no listed written channel for questions.
Who each suits
Santander UK
Who it suits
- UK residents who want a current account and a credit card from one high street brand.
- Anyone with an old balance to move across during the 12 transfer window.
- People who pay the credit card in full each month and want an annual fee of £0.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if you spend abroad regularly: its currency conversion fee of 0.1% sits a long way under the 2.95% charged here.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, if you would rather build credit from a deposit, since it is a secured card with a monthly fee of $0.
- Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card), if a US dollar secured card with a monthly fee of $0 suits you better than a UK current account.
SBI Card
Who it suits
- Business owners in India who want a revolving Visa line and a balance transfer route for existing borrowing.
- Travellers who want a business card with travel features from a long established Indian issuer.
- Applicants with an excellent credit history, excellent, who can carry a high APR without strain.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if the annual charge decides it: the annual fee is £0 against INR 499 here.
- Varo Believe Secured Credit Card, whose annual fee is $0, for applicants building a credit history from scratch.
- Chime Card (Secured Visa Credit Card), with an annual fee of $0, if the lowest annual charge matters most.
Current offers
Santander UK
Current offer
Bonus
Get 240 GBP for switching to Everyday Current Account: 240 GBP
Switch to Everyday Current Account
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Santander UK | SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| India | No | Yes |
| United Kingdom | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Santander UK
What does the Everyday current account cost each month?+
The account carries a monthly fee of £0, so holding it adds no regular charge to your bills. The card that comes with it is a debit card, so spending draws on money already in the account rather than adding to a balance. Keeping a small buffer there is the practical use.
How long is the balance transfer offer?+
The transfer offer runs for 12 and the balance transfer fee is 0%. That is the window for moving an existing balance from another card and paying it down. Start the transfer at the beginning of a billing period so the full window is available to you.
SBI Card
What does an SBI Card cost to hold and borrow on?+
The annual fee is INR 499 on the cards in the range that charge an annual fee, and the APR is 45%. Borrowing at that rate is the main cost, and it sits at 123 of 133 brands in this comparison. Monthly fees run INR 0 to INR 9,999 on top, so the price depends on the card you pick.
What does it cost to spend in another currency?+
Currency conversion fees run 1.99% to 3.5% across the range and apply whenever a purchase is made abroad. Spending in the local currency avoids the conversion charge. Travel features are listed, virtual card and travel, though the conversion rate still applies to foreign transactions on any card in the range.
Other options to compare
Other matchups
SBI Card
Santander UK