SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Review 2025: Benefits, Fees and Who Should Get It

Picking your first credit card can be a tricky decision. Between endless bank offers and hidden fees, it’s hard to know which one is actually worth it. Many women, whether running a home, studying in college, or starting their first job, want a simple card that makes daily shopping a little cheaper without confusing terms.

That’s where the SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card comes in. It’s built for everyday spending like groceries, dining, movies, and household purchases. No complicated reward system. Just straightforward savings on the things you already buy.

In this SBI SimplySave Credit Card review, you’ll discover the card in detail, including its benefits, fees, savings examples, who it suits best, and how it compares to similar cards. By the end, you’ll know if this is the right card to carry in your wallet.

Features	Details
Card issuer	SBI Cards (State Bank of India)
Annual fee	₹499 + taxes
Welcome bonus	2,000 reward points (worth ₹500) on ₹2,000 spend in the first 60 days
Best for	Everyday shoppers: groceries, meals, movies, household spends

Key Benefits of SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card

Rewards on Daily Spending

• 10 reward points per ₹150 spent on:
  
  • Groceries
    
  • Dining
    
  • Movies
    
  • Departmental stores
    
• 1 reward point per ₹150 on all other purchases.
  
• Welcome Bonus: 2,000 bonus points (worth ₹500) on spending ₹2,000 in 60 days.
  

👉 What does this mean in real life?

• A housewife spending ₹12,000 a month on groceries: earns ~800 points, worth ₹200. In a year, that’s ₹2,400 saved.
  
• A student spending ₹3,000 on food + movies: earns ~200 points, worth ₹50 a month, or ₹600 a year.
  
• A working professional spending ₹6,000 on shopping + dining: earns ~400 points monthly, worth ₹100, or ₹1,200 a year.
  

So, depending on lifestyle, this card can cover its own annual fee and even give extra.

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Travel Benefits

• This is not a travel card. No lounge access, no air miles.
  
• Small but useful: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions ₹500–₹3,000. Maximum ₹100 per month.
  

👉 Example: If you spend ₹5,000 on petrol a month, you save about ₹60–₹70 in surcharges. That’s around ₹800 yearly — good enough for a movie outing or a shopping voucher.

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Shopping & Partner Offers

• Rewards are strong on groceries and departmental stores.
  
• Good for monthly household runs at Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, More, or local supermarkets.
  
• Students benefit on books and daily essentials.
  
• No specific tie-ups with Amazon/Flipkart — so online shoppers may find better cards.
  

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EMI & Big Purchases

• Can convert any purchase above ₹2,500 into EMIs.
  
• Helpful for:
  
  • Buying a laptop for college.
    
  • Paying school or tuition fees.
    
  • Purchasing a fridge, washing machine, or TV for home.
    
• EMI plans come with interest, but they spread the cost without exhausting savings.
  

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Fees & Charges

• Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST. Waived from 2nd year if you spend ₹1 lakh in a year (~₹8,500 per month).
  
• Interest Rate: ~3.5% per month (~42% yearly).
  
• Late Payment Fee: ₹400–₹1,300 depending on bill size.
  
• Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% or ₹500 (whichever higher).
  
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% (not good for international travel or foreign shopping).
  

👉 Tip: Always pay the bill in full. If you carry forward balances, the high interest will wipe out your rewards.

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Pros & Cons

Pros

• Low entry annual fee.
  
• Good rewards on everyday spending.
  
• Simple reward system — no confusing rules.
  
• Welcome bonus worth ₹500.
  
• Annual fee waiver with moderate spend.
  
• EMI option for bigger buys.
  

Cons

• Weak on online shopping rewards.
  
• Almost no travel perks.
  
• High interest if bills not paid in full.
  
• Reward points have limited redemption choices.
  
• Fee waiver needs ₹1 lakh annual spend.
  

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Who Should Apply for SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card?

Best For:

• Housewives managing monthly groceries and family shopping.
  
• Students in college who want to start building a credit history.
  
• Young professionals who dine out, watch movies, and shop on weekends.
  
• Families who need a simple “household spend” card.
  

Not Ideal For:

• Frequent travellers looking for airport lounge access or flight rewards.
  
• Heavy online shoppers (Amazon Pay ICICI or Flipkart Axis are better).
  
• Very low spenders who won’t reach ₹1 lakh annually.
  

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Lifestyle Case Studies

1. The Homemaker

Neha spends ₹12,000 monthly on groceries, ₹3,000 on movies and dining, and ₹2,000 on other shopping.

• Rewards: ~1,000 points a month = ₹250.
  
• Yearly value = ₹3,000.
  
• Annual fee waived with ease.
  👉 For her, this card pays back 6x the fee.
  

2. The College Student

Aditi spends ₹2,000 monthly on food, ₹1,000 on movies, and ₹2,000 on books.

• Rewards: ~250 points a month = ₹62.
  
• Yearly value = ₹750.
  
• First year also gives ₹500 bonus.
  👉 Total benefit = ₹1,250, which is good for a first card.
  

3. The Young Professional

Riya earns ₹35,000 salary, spends ₹6,000 monthly on shopping, ₹4,000 on dining, and ₹2,000 on movies.

• Rewards: ~800 points a month = ₹200.
  
• Yearly value = ₹2,400.
  
• Fuel waiver adds ₹800.
  👉 Net savings = ~₹3,200 yearly. Enough for new headphones or a spa day.
  

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How It Compares

Card	Annual Fee	Best For	Weak Spot
SBI SimplySAVE	₹499	Groceries, dining	Online shopping
SBI SimplyCLICK	₹499	Online shopping (Amazon, Myntra)	Offline spends
Amazon Pay ICICI	Nil	Amazon shoppers, cashback	Limited partner perks
Flipkart Axis	₹500	Flipkart + lifestyle brands	No grocery perks

👉 If you shop mostly offline (groceries, markets, malls), SimplySAVE wins. If your lifestyle is online (Amazon/Flipkart), those cards are stronger.

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Redemption Guide

• 1 point = ₹0.25.
  
• 4 points = ₹1.
  
• Redeem for:
  
  • SBI Card rewards catalogue (gift vouchers).
    
  • Statement credit.
    
  • Shopping vouchers (Big Bazaar, Lifestyle, Shoppers Stop).
    

👉 Example: 5,000 points = ₹1,250 voucher. Enough to enjoy an evening.

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FAQs

1. Can housewives apply?
   Yes, if they have income proof. Otherwise, they can take an add-on card.
   
2. Is this card free for students?
   First year fee is ₹499, but you get ₹500 worth of bonus points.
   
3. Does SBI waive the annual fee?
   Yes, on ₹1 lakh yearly spend.
   
4. Are reward points unlimited?
   Yes, no monthly cap on earning.
   
5. Does it work abroad?
   Yes, but foreign markup is high (3.5%).
   

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Conclusion

The SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card is not about luxury. It’s about stretching every rupee spent on daily life. It shines for women who run homes, manage budgets, or are new to credit cards.

For a small annual fee, waived over 1 lakh yearly spends, you get simple rewards, a welcome bonus, and fuel savings. Used smartly, it can cover the cost of a grocery trip, a movie night, or even a small household item every year.

If you are a homemaker, a student, or a single working woman who wants her first card to be low-maintenance and rewarding, this card is worth it. Spend wisely, pay on time, and you’ll save ₹2,000–₹3,000 yearly without extra effort.