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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card vs Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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%
NetworkVisa
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,500
Base Rewards0.8%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI CardAxis Bank Vistara Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹1,500
Joining Fee₹499₹1,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.16666666666666669%0.8%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsMaharaja Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/106.5/10
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

Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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.

Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Economy Class ticket voucher on joining fee payment.
  • Earn 2 Maharaja Points for every ₹200 spent on all eligible categories.
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (2 visits per quarter) at select airports.
  • Comprehensive insurance coverage including Air Accident Cover up to ₹2.5 Crore.

Cons

  • New applications are currently restricted due to the Vistara-Air India merger.
  • Renewal benefits and milestone tickets are discontinued for cycles after April 18, 2025.
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months.

Our Verdict

Both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

Choose City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card if

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

Choose Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card if

Strong value for those who frequently fly Air India/Vistara routes and can utilize the free ticket vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,500. 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 Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.16666666666666669% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Movies. Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card offers 0.8% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Axis Bank Vistara Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Axis Bank Vistara Credit 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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