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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card vs Air India SBI Signature Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

City Union Bank

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.16666666666666669%
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SBI Card

Air India SBI Signature Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.25%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI CardAir India SBI Signature Card
Annual Fee₹499₹4,999
Joining Fee₹499₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.16666666666666669%0.25%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points / Maharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

  • 1.67% on Dining
  • 1.67% on Movies
  • 1.67% on Grocery
  • 1.67% on Departmental Stores

Air India SBI Signature Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

Pros

  • 10X Reward Points on daily essentials like Dining, Movies, Departmental Stores, and Grocery.
  • Welcome bonus of 2,000 Reward Points effectively offsets the joining fee.
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver threshold of ₹1 Lakh annual spend.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000.

Cons

  • Very low base reward rate of 0.17% on non-category spends.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 5,000 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access or travel-specific benefits.

Air India SBI Signature Card

Pros

  • High welcome bonus of 20,000 Reward Points worth up to ₹20,000 in Air India miles.
  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on Air India ticket bookings.
  • Generous milestone benefits offering up to 1,00,000 bonus points annually.
  • 1:1 conversion ratio from Reward Points to Air India Maharaja Points (Air Miles).

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with no standard spend-based waiver.
  • Reward rate on Air India tickets was recently reduced from 30 to 10 points per ₹100.
  • International lounge access via Priority Pass is not complimentary (usage fee applies).

Our Verdict

Air India SBI Signature Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card if

Low entry barrier and high rewards on common categories like groceries and dining.

Choose Air India SBI Signature Card if

Best value for those who frequently book Air India flights and can maximize the 1:1 mile conversion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
Air India SBI Signature Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Air India SBI Signature Card has an annual fee of ₹4,999. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.16666666666666669% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Movies. Air India SBI Signature Card offers 0.25% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Air India SBI Signature Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Air India SBI Signature Card?
For beginners, City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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