I did a quick calculation and the IDFC card is a lot more rewarding with the welcome benefits alone compared to SBI.
Assuming 1 CV = ₹1 and 1 PE ticket = ₹7500
IDFC
Welcome benefits
2000 CV + floor(30000/200)*6 = 2900 CV = 9.67% returns for the first 3 months.
First yearly milestone
₹7500 + floor(150000/200)*6 = 12000 CV = 8% returns*
*Important to note: 6 CV only till 1L monthly spends, 4 CV thereafter. Also utility, fuel and wallet loads only fetch 1 CV.
SBI
Welcome benefit
3000 CV + floor(75000/200)*4 = 4500 CV = 6%
First milestone
₹7500 + floor(150000/200)*4 = 10500 CV = 7%
So other than the steadily better milestone reward rate, the deciding factor b/w the two will be if you have the spends to utilise welcome benefits to the max, and whether you prefer SBI support to IDFC's.
I don't have an experience with IDFC, can someone please share theirs? Also how are their regular bank offers?