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SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Review 2026
The SBI simply save credit card earns 10 reward points per ₹150 on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental store purchases - a 1.67% return on the categories most Indians spend on daily. ₹499 annual fee waived at ₹1 lakh annual spend. Available on Visa and RuPay (UPI credit card) variants.
3.2
/5
Card24 Score
Rewards 3.5
Travel 1
Fees 4.1
Last reviewed July 2026 · Card24.ai editorial team
Annual Fee
₹499*
10X Reward Points
10 reward points per ₹150*
Lounge Access
No lounge access - domestic or international*
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% fuel surcharge waiver*
Credit Card Verdict SBI SimplySAVE
What we like
- The sbi simply save credit card's 10X earn on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental stores is the card's defining strength - and at ₹499/year, it's one of the best reward rates available at this fee tier. At 10 RP per ₹150, every ₹1,500 in dining or grocery spend earns 100 reward points worth ₹25. A household spending ₹8,000/month on grocery and dining alone earns ₹133/month or ₹1,600/year in RP value - against a ₹499 annual fee. The math works clearly in the cardholder's favour.
- The annual fee waiver at ₹1,00,000 annual spend is genuinely achievable. Any cardholder who uses this as their primary card for dining, grocery, and fuel bills will typically cross ₹1L by September - making the card effectively free from Year 2. The ₹8,334/month threshold required is within reach for anyone in a working household routing daily spend through the card.
- The RuPay variant extends earning to UPI transactions via Google Pay and PhonePe - enabling reward points on everyday digital payments that most credit cards ignore. For households that scan QR codes at grocery stores, vegetable markets, and restaurants, the SimplySAVE RuPay card captures reward earning on payments that a Visa or Mastercard variant would earn nothing on through UPI.
- The welcome benefit of 2,000 reward points (worth ₹500 at ₹0.25/RP) on spending ₹2,000 within 60 days covers the entire ₹499 first-year fee value in a single month. Visa variant holders may also receive an Amazon Pay, Swiggy, or Zomato voucher worth up to ₹750 on card activation - verify current offer at sbicard.com as this is a limited-period benefit.
Watch out for
- This card has zero airport lounge access - domestic or international. Many people search specifically for 'SimplySAVE lounge access' expecting it to exist. It does not. There is no spend threshold, no quarterly cap, and no variant of this card that unlocks lounge access. If lounge access is important, this is not the right card - consider SBI Card PRIME (8 domestic lounges) or SBI Elite instead.
- The base earn rate of 1 RP per ₹150 on non-accelerated categories - online shopping, utilities, travel, subscriptions - is near-zero at 0.167% effective return. This card earns meaningfully only on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental stores. Using it as a general-purpose card for all spending generates almost no reward value on the majority of categories.
- Reward points expire in 24 months from the date they are earned - not from the card anniversary date. Points earned in month 1 expire 24 months later regardless of when other points were earned. The ₹99 redemption fee per request also means small redemptions lose proportional value - always redeem in large batches. Check expiry dates monthly in the SBI Card app.
- The 3.5% forex markup makes this unsuitable for international transactions - at 3.5% per transaction, a ₹50,000 overseas hotel bill costs an additional ₹1,750 in markup. Combined with the near-zero base earn on non-dining categories, using this card abroad provides almost no value. Keep a dedicated low-forex card for international spend.
Card24.ai review is based on sbicard.com and verified aggregators as of July 2026. 10X reward earn applies to dining, movies, grocery, and departmental store MCCs only. RP expire 24 months from earn date. No lounge access at any tier. Annual fee ₹499 waived at ₹1L spend from Year 2. Finance charge 3.50%/month. Verify current terms at sbicard.com/mitc.
Credit Card Achievers SBI SimplySAVE
Is the SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Worth It in 2026?
The sbi simply save credit card is worth ₹499/year for any household that spends ₹4,000 or more per month on dining, grocery, movies, or departmental stores. At 10 RP per ₹150 on those categories (1.67% return), a monthly spend of ₹5,000 across these categories generates 333 RP worth ₹83 - covering the ₹499 annual fee in just 6 months. From Year 2, the annual fee waiver at ₹1L spend makes it completely free for most active users.
The card's value deepens when the RuPay variant is paired with Google Pay for UPI transactions at grocery stores and restaurants - extending 10X earning to digital QR payments that most cards miss. For a household spending ₹10,000/month across dining, grocery, movies, and departmental stores (combined accelerated categories), the annual reward value is approximately ₹2,000 (10 RP/₹150 × ₹10,000/month × 12 months × ₹0.25/RP) - four times the ₹499 annual fee. The Visa variant adds a potential ₹750 welcome voucher on activation, further boosting first-year value.
The SimplySAVE card earns near-zero on online shopping, utilities, travel, and subscriptions - all at 0.167% base rate. For anyone whose spend is primarily online rather than offline, BOBCARD Cashback delivers 5% on all online spends with no merchant restrictions at ₹499/year - better suited for digital-first spenders.
The card's value deepens when the RuPay variant is paired with Google Pay for UPI transactions at grocery stores and restaurants - extending 10X earning to digital QR payments that most cards miss. For a household spending ₹10,000/month across dining, grocery, movies, and departmental stores (combined accelerated categories), the annual reward value is approximately ₹2,000 (10 RP/₹150 × ₹10,000/month × 12 months × ₹0.25/RP) - four times the ₹499 annual fee. The Visa variant adds a potential ₹750 welcome voucher on activation, further boosting first-year value.
The SimplySAVE card earns near-zero on online shopping, utilities, travel, and subscriptions - all at 0.167% base rate. For anyone whose spend is primarily online rather than offline, BOBCARD Cashback delivers 5% on all online spends with no merchant restrictions at ₹499/year - better suited for digital-first spenders.
Best For: Households spending ₹4,000–₹15,000/month on offline dining, restaurant meals, grocery stores, multiplex movies, and departmental store shopping - who want a zero-fuss rewards card at ₹499/year with no travel benefit expectation.
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Benefits
How to Get Maximum Reward Points from Your SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
Route All Dining and Grocery to This Card Only - The SimplySAVE card earns 10X only on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental stores - and just 1X on everything else. Keep a strict mental category rule: every restaurant bill, every grocery store visit, every multiplex ticket, every BigBazaar or departmental store receipt goes on this card. Everything else - online shopping, utilities, subscriptions - on your best online card. Splitting this way maximises the 1.67% return on the categories that matter.
Use the RuPay Variant for UPI QR Scans - Link the RuPay variant to Google Pay or PhonePe as a UPI credit card. At grocery stores, vegetable markets, and restaurants with QR codes, scan and pay via UPI credit card to earn reward points without swiping the physical card. The SimplySAVE RuPay variant captures 10X on grocery and dining QR payments - extending earning to every digital payment at these merchants.
Hit ₹1 Lakh Annual Spend for Zero Annual Fee from Year 2 - At ₹8,334/month across all card transactions (not just accelerated categories), cumulative annual spend crosses ₹1 lakh - triggering the annual fee waiver for the following year. Use the SBI Card mobile app to track running annual spend. If approaching November with the threshold not yet crossed, route one large expense (insurance premium, appliance purchase) through this card to hit ₹1L before the anniversary date.
Redeem Reward Points Quarterly in Large Batches - The ₹99 redemption fee applies per redemption request regardless of amount. On a ₹500 redemption this costs 20% of value - very poor. Accumulate 3 months of points and redeem in a single transaction of ₹2,000+ where the ₹99 fee drops below 5% of value. Track RP expiry dates monthly in the SBI Card app - points earned in month 1 expire 24 months later, not at the year-end.
Pair With BOBCARD Cashback for Online Spending - The SimplySAVE card earns 0.167% on online shopping, utilities, and subscriptions - near-zero. For all online purchases where this card leaves value on the table, BOBCARD Cashback delivers 5% on any online spend with zero merchant restrictions at the same ₹499 annual fee.
Use the RuPay Variant for UPI QR Scans - Link the RuPay variant to Google Pay or PhonePe as a UPI credit card. At grocery stores, vegetable markets, and restaurants with QR codes, scan and pay via UPI credit card to earn reward points without swiping the physical card. The SimplySAVE RuPay variant captures 10X on grocery and dining QR payments - extending earning to every digital payment at these merchants.
Hit ₹1 Lakh Annual Spend for Zero Annual Fee from Year 2 - At ₹8,334/month across all card transactions (not just accelerated categories), cumulative annual spend crosses ₹1 lakh - triggering the annual fee waiver for the following year. Use the SBI Card mobile app to track running annual spend. If approaching November with the threshold not yet crossed, route one large expense (insurance premium, appliance purchase) through this card to hit ₹1L before the anniversary date.
Redeem Reward Points Quarterly in Large Batches - The ₹99 redemption fee applies per redemption request regardless of amount. On a ₹500 redemption this costs 20% of value - very poor. Accumulate 3 months of points and redeem in a single transaction of ₹2,000+ where the ₹99 fee drops below 5% of value. Track RP expiry dates monthly in the SBI Card app - points earned in month 1 expire 24 months later, not at the year-end.
Pair With BOBCARD Cashback for Online Spending - The SimplySAVE card earns 0.167% on online shopping, utilities, and subscriptions - near-zero. For all online purchases where this card leaves value on the table, BOBCARD Cashback delivers 5% on any online spend with zero merchant restrictions at the same ₹499 annual fee.
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Annual Fees
| Joining / Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST | Annual fee waived on ₹1,00,000 cumulative spend in the preceding year (from Year 2) | No joining fee waiver in Year 1 |
| Earn Rate - Accelerated | 10 RP per ₹150 on dining, movies, grocery, departmental stores = 1.67% return at ₹0.25/RP |
| Earn Rate - Base | 1 RP per ₹150 on all other eligible spends = 0.167% return | Fuel earns 0 RP (surcharge waiver instead) |
| RP Value + Redemption | ₹0.25 per RP | SBI Rewards catalogue: travel, vouchers, lifestyle | ₹99 redemption fee per request | RP expire 24 months from earn date |
| Welcome Benefit | 2,000 RP (₹500 value) on ₹2,000 spend within 60 days | Visa variant: Amazon Pay/Swiggy/Zomato voucher up to ₹750 on activation - verify at sbicard.com |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% on fuel transactions ₹500–₹3,000 | Max ₹100/statement cycle | All fuel stations | Fuel earns 0 RP |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% on all international transactions - not suitable for overseas spend |
| Finance Charge | 3.50%/month (42% p.a.) - pay full balance monthly to avoid |
| Lounge Access | NONE - no domestic or international airport lounge access at any tier or spend level |
| Network | Visa (Visa Platinum) - global acceptance | RuPay (sbi simplysave rupay credit card) - UPI via Google Pay/PhonePe |
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Eligibility & Documents
Age 21–65 years (primary cardholder) | 18+ for add-on cardholders
Minimum annual income Minimum net monthly income: ₹20,000/month (₹2.4L annual)
Documents required Enter PAN + income details
Residency Indian Resident
Applying when ineligible creates a hard credit inquiry that may lower your CIBIL score. Verify your eligibility before applying.
How to Apply for SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
The application process is entirely online and takes about 5-7 minutes.
1
Visit sbicard.com/simplysave or the SBI Card mobile app - Credit Cards → SimplySAVE Credit Card → Apply Now. Select preferred variant: Visa or RuPay.
2
Enter PAN number, date of birth, and mobile number for instant eligibility pre-check. - Minimum age 21 years, minimum income ₹20,000/month for salaried applicants.
3
Complete the online application form with personal details, employment information, and annual income. - Confirm SimplySAVE Credit Card selection and preferred variant (Visa/RuPay).
4
Upload KYC documents - PAN card, Aadhaar or alternate photo ID, income proof (latest salary slips for salaried / ITR for self-employed), and address proof. Complete Video KYC if prompted.
5
Submit application and note reference number - Track status at sbicard.com or call SBI Card customer care: 1860-180-1290. Card delivered to registered address within 7–15 working days.
*T&C Apply
Frequently Asked Questions
The sbi simply save credit card is an entry-level everyday rewards credit card from SBI Card that earns 10 reward points per ₹150 on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental store purchases - a 1.67% return at ₹0.25/RP. Annual fee: ₹499, waived at ₹1L annual spend. Available on Visa and RuPay variants. Welcome: 2,000 RP on ₹2,000 spend within 60 days. No airport lounge access on any variant.
No - the SimplySAVE card does not provide any airport lounge access, domestic or international. This applies to all variants (Visa and RuPay) and at all spend levels. There is no quarterly spend condition that unlocks lounge access on this card. If lounge access is important, SBI Card PRIME offers 8 domestic visits/year, or SBI Elite offers a broader lounge programme.
The card earns 10 reward points per ₹150 on dining, movies, grocery, and departmental stores (1.67% return), and 1 RP per ₹150 on all other spends (0.167% return). Each reward point is worth ₹0.25 when redeemed on the SBI Card Rewards catalogue. Points expire 24 months from the earn date. A ₹99 redemption fee applies per request - redeem in large batches to maximise value.
The joining fee and annual renewal fee are ₹499 + GST each. The Year 1 joining fee has no waiver condition. From Year 2, the ₹499 annual renewal fee is waived when cumulative card spend in the preceding anniversary year reaches ₹1,00,000. At ₹8,334/month across all transactions, this threshold is crossed by October for most active users - making the card effectively free from Year 2.
The sbi simplysave rupay credit card is the RuPay network variant of the SimplySAVE card. It can be linked to Google Pay and PhonePe as a UPI credit card - enabling reward point earning on QR code payments at grocery stores, restaurants, and retail outlets. The Visa variant (Visa Platinum) has global acceptance at 24M+ outlets worldwide. Both variants carry identical core benefits, earn rates, fees, and reward structures - only the payment network differs.