SBI Credit Card Rules Changing From December 1: New 1% Fee on Fuel and Transport Payments

SBI Credit Card New Rules 2026: SBI credit card customers should prepare for an important change in transaction charges starting December 1, 2026. SBI Card has announced additional fees on certain high-value fuel and transportation payments, which could increase expenses for cardholders who regularly make large transactions.

According to an official notice issued by SBI Card on October 27, 2026, a 1% fee will apply to eligible transportation transactions exceeding ₹30,000. Additionally, customers whose total qualifying fuel purchases cross ₹50,000 during a billing cycle will face a 1% charge on their entire eligible fuel expenditure.

The revised fee structure is particularly relevant for customers who frequently use credit cards for business-related travel, transportation services and large fuel purchases.

SBI Credit Card New Charges From December 1, 2026

The revised rules introduce two different spending limits for transportation and fuel transactions.

While the transportation charge will depend on the value of each individual eligible transaction, the fuel-related fee will be calculated using total qualifying fuel spending during a billing cycle.

Here is a summary of the changes:

These fees will take effect on December 1, 2026, according to SBI Card's official customer notice.

Transportation Payments Above ₹30,000 Will Attract Additional Fees

Under the updated rules, SBI Card will impose a 1% fee on every qualifying transportation transaction exceeding ₹30,000.

The important point is that the threshold applies to individual transactions rather than total transportation spending throughout the billing cycle.

For example, if a customer makes an eligible transportation payment of ₹35,000 using an SBI credit card, an additional fee of ₹350 will apply.

Similarly, a qualifying payment of ₹50,000 will attract a ₹500 fee.

However, an individual transportation transaction of ₹30,000 or less will not attract this particular charge.

How Much Extra Will SBI Cardholders Pay?

These calculations assume the transaction falls within the merchant categories specified by SBI Card.

Fuel Spending Above ₹50,000 Will Also Become Costlier

SBI Card has introduced a separate charging mechanism for fuel purchases.

From December 1, customers whose combined eligible fuel transactions exceed ₹50,000 in a single billing cycle will be charged 1% on the total qualifying fuel amount.

Unlike transportation payments, the fuel fee is calculated on cumulative spending.

For example, suppose a cardholder purchases fuel worth ₹20,000, ₹15,000 and ₹20,000 during one billing cycle.

The combined spending would reach ₹55,000.

Since the total exceeds ₹50,000, a 1% fee would apply to the entire ₹55,000, resulting in an additional charge of ₹550.

This means the fee is not calculated only on the ₹5,000 exceeding the specified limit.

SBI Credit Card Fuel Charges Explained

The revised fuel fee applies when total eligible spending exceeds ₹50,000 during the billing cycle.

Which Transactions Will Be Covered Under the New SBI Card Rules?

Not every transportation or fuel-related transaction will necessarily attract these charges.

SBI Card has identified specific Merchant Category Codes, commonly known as MCCs, to determine which transactions qualify.

For transportation payments, the relevant MCCs are:

• 4111

• 4784

• 4131

For fuel-related transactions, the applicable MCCs are 5172, 5541, 5542 and 5983.

Merchant Category Codes are used by payment networks to classify businesses according to their activities.

The classification of a merchant can determine whether a particular credit card transaction falls under the revised charging rules.

SBI Card has also indicated that merchant category classifications are determined by payment network partners and may change.

What Is the Difference Between the Fuel and Transportation Charges?

Although both categories attract a 1% fee, the calculation methods are different.

For transportation transactions, SBI Card considers the amount of each eligible payment separately.

For instance, three qualifying transportation transactions of ₹20,000 each would not trigger this new fee, because no individual transaction exceeds ₹30,000.

Fuel spending is assessed differently.

If a customer makes several qualifying fuel purchases during the billing cycle and their combined value exceeds ₹50,000, the additional charge applies to the full eligible fuel spending amount.

Understanding this difference can help customers estimate their credit card expenses more accurately.

Who Could Be Most Affected by These Changes?

The revised charges may have a greater impact on customers who frequently make high-value payments.

Business owners, transport operators, frequent travellers and individuals managing substantial fuel expenses could be among those affected.

For example, a business owner who uses an SBI credit card for regular fuel purchases may cross the ₹50,000 threshold during a billing cycle.

Similarly, customers making large payments for qualifying transportation services may incur additional charges whenever an individual transaction exceeds ₹30,000.

However, customers whose eligible spending remains within the specified limits will not attract these particular new fees.

How Can SBI Credit Card Customers Avoid Unexpected Charges?

Cardholders should review their transaction patterns before the revised fee structure becomes effective.

Customers who regularly spend large amounts on fuel should monitor their cumulative eligible purchases throughout each billing cycle.

Those making transportation-related payments should check whether individual transactions exceed ₹30,000.

It is also advisable to review monthly credit card statements to identify additional fees and understand how transactions have been classified.

Customers can check the latest rules through the official SBI Card Customer Notices page.

Before choosing an alternative payment method, users should compare any applicable charges, rewards and other benefits.

When Will the New SBI Credit Card Charges Start?

The revised transportation and fuel transaction fees will become effective on December 1, 2026.

SBI Card published the relevant customer notice on October 27, 2026, giving cardholders advance information about the upcoming changes.

The announcement concerns specified SBI credit card transactions and should not be confused with charges applicable to SBI savings accounts or debit cards.

Customers should also check the terms associated with their particular credit card variant for any additional conditions.

Final Words

SBI Card's upcoming fee revision means customers making large fuel and transportation payments may have to spend more from December 1, 2026.

The new 1% transportation charge will apply to individual eligible payments above ₹30,000, while the fuel fee will be triggered when total qualifying purchases exceed ₹50,000 during a billing cycle.

For customers who regularly make high-value transactions, understanding these two different limits will be important.

Reviewing monthly spending and checking official SBI Card notifications can help cardholders manage expenses and avoid unexpected fees.