| Overview: SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card represents a classic choice between online shopping rewards and offline spending benefits. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card offers 10X points on partner sites like Amazon and Myntra, while SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card provides 10X points on groceries, dining, and movies. Both cards charge a ₹499 annual fee with waiver options. Your spending pattern determines the better choice. |
Understanding Your Credit Card Options
Credit card penetration in India has grown by 15% year-on-year, with urban households increasingly seeking cards that maximise rewards on their specific spending patterns. Digital platforms like Airtel Finance have opened up many options to the consumers. The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card debate reflects this evolution in consumer preferences.
Both cards target different lifestyles within the same income bracket. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card caters to digital-first users who shop extensively online, while SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card rewards traditional offline spenders. Understanding which card aligns with your spending behaviour can significantly impact your annual savings and reward accumulation.
Core Features and Costs Breakdown
Let us examine the core features and cost breakdown of both cards.
Annual Fees and Waivers
Both the SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card and SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card charge ₹499 plus GST as an annual fee. However, their waiver conditions differ slightly:
- SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card: Fee reversal for the first four years on spending ₹1 lakh annually
- SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card: Annual fee waiver on spending ₹1 lakh per card year
Welcome Benefits Comparison:
| Feature | SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card |
| Welcome gift | ₹500 Amazon voucher | 2,000 reward points |
| Activation requirement | Card activation | ₹2,000 spend in 60 days |
| Effective value | ₹500 immediate | ₹500 after spending |
Eligibility Requirements
Both cards require a minimum monthly income of ₹20,000 and a CIBIL score above 650. Urban applicants with stable employment typically receive faster approval within 2–7 days.
Reward Structure Deep Dive
The two cards offer different types of rewards.
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card Reward Categories
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card comparison reveals stark differences in reward-earning potential. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card focuses heavily on online transactions:
Partner merchant rewards (10X points):
- Amazon, Myntra, BookMyShow, Swiggy
- Apollo24x7, Netmeds, Cleartrip, Yatra
- Effective return: 2.50% on partner spends
General online shopping (5X points):
- All other online merchants
- Monthly cap: 10,000 points
- Effective return: 1.25%
Offline spending:
- Base rate: 1 point per ₹100
- Effective return: 0.25%
| Did You Know? SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card offers milestone vouchers worth ₹2,000 each to customers with annual online spending of ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh, adding significant value for heavy online shoppers. |
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Reward Structure
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card targets everyday offline expenses:
Accelerated categories (10X points):
- Grocery stores and supermarkets
- Restaurants and dining establishments
- Movie theatres and entertainment
- Departmental stores
Monthly cap: 5,000 points for 10X categories
Effective return: 1.67% on eligible categories
Other spends: 1 point per ₹150 (0.17% return)
Real-World Spending Scenarios
Let’s examine some real-world scenarios.
Scenario 1: Urban professional (₹2 lakh annual spend)
Profile: 60% online shopping, 40% offline expenses
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card calculation:
- Partner online spending (₹60,000): ₹60,000 × 2.5% = ₹1,500
- Other online spending (₹60,000): ₹60,000 × 1.25% = ₹750
- Offline spending (₹80,000): ₹80,000 × 0.25% = ₹200
- Milestone vouchers: ₹2,000
- Total annual value: ₹4,450
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card calculation:
- Eligible offline categories (₹80,000): ₹80,000 × 1.67% = ₹1,336
- Other spending (₹1.2 lakh): ₹1,20,000 × 0.17% = ₹204
- Total annual value: ₹1,540
Winner: SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card by ₹2,910
Scenario 2: Family shopper (₹1.5 lakh annual spend)
Profile: 70% offline (groceries, dining), 30% online
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card calculation:
- Partner online (₹22,500): ₹22,500 × 2.5% = ₹563
- Other online (₹22,500): ₹22,500 × 1.25% = ₹281
- Offline (₹1.05 lakh): ₹1,05,000 × 0.25% = ₹263
- Total annual value: ₹1,107
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card calculation:
- Offline 10X categories (₹1.05 lakh): ₹1,05,000 × 1.67% = ₹1,753
- Other spending (₹45,000): ₹45,000 × 0.17% = ₹77
- Total annual value: ₹1,830
Winner: SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card by ₹723
Advanced Reward Optimisation Strategies
Here’s how to optimise your rewards:
Point Redemption Mathematics
Both cards offer ₹0.25 per reward point with a minimum redemption of 2,000 points (₹500). Understanding the conversion helps optimise spending:
Formula: Reward points = (Spend amount ÷ Base spend) × Multiplier
Example: ₹5,000 grocery spend on SimplySAVE = (5,000 ÷ 150) × 10 = 333 points = ₹83.25 value
Monthly Spending Caps Impact
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card choice becomes crucial when considering monthly caps:
- SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card: 10,000 points monthly cap on 5X categories
- SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card: 5,000 points monthly cap on 10X categories
High spenders exceeding these caps earn base rates, which can potentially reduce effective returns.
| Pro Tip: Track your monthly spending across categories to avoid hitting caps early. Distribute large purchases across months to maximise accelerated rewards. |
Technical Exclusions and Limitations
Both cards exclude specific transaction types from reward earning:
- Fuel purchases (except 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹100 monthly)
- Cash advances and wallet loads
- Rent payments and government transactions
- EMI conversions and balance transfers
- International transactions (SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card partner exclusion)
Integration with Financial Planning
Credit cards can significantly impact your financial planning.
Building Credit History
Regular usage of either card helps build a positive credit score history. Maintaining credit utilisation below 30% and making timely payments significantly impacts your CIBIL scores.
Reward Maximisation Strategy
Consider using accumulated rewards strategically. For instance, statement credits from reward redemptions can be redirected towards systematic investments or building an emergency fund through fixed deposit options.
For larger purchases, the Airtel Bajaj Finserv Insta EMI Card offers zero-down-payment options across 10 lakh+ products, complementing your primary credit card strategy.
Making Your Final Choice
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card decision ultimately depends on your spending DNA. Digital natives benefit more from SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card’s online focus, while traditional spenders maximise value through SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card’s offline rewards.
Both cards offer solid value propositions within their target segments. SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card’s milestone benefits and higher online multipliers suit tech-savvy users, while SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card’s consistent offline rewards appeal to family-oriented spenders.
Consider downloading the Airtel Thanks app to explore how reward earnings can be optimised alongside other financial products. Whether you choose SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card or SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card, ensure your selection aligns with your spending patterns and economic goals to maximise benefit realisation. Also, look at the Airtel Finance credit card options before making a decision.
FAQs
1. Can I hold both the SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card and SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card cards simultaneously for maximum rewards?
Yes, eligible applicants can maintain both cards, optimising rewards across online and offline spending categories while managing separate annual fee obligations.
2. How do monthly spending caps affect the SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card reward-earning potential?
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card caps 5X online rewards at 10,000 monthly points, while SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card limits 10X offline rewards to 5,000 monthly points.
3. Which card offers better fuel surcharge benefits in the SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card comparison?
Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver of up to ₹100 per month on transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000 at petrol stations.
4. Do SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card vs SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card cards offer airport lounge access for frequent travellers?
Neither card provides complimentary airport lounge access. Consider upgrading to an SBI Prime or Elite card for enhanced travel benefits.
5. How does the welcome benefit differ between SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card and SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card for new cardholders?
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card offers an immediate ₹500 Amazon voucher upon activation, while SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card provides 2,000 reward points after spending ₹2,000 within 60 days.
