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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card vs HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

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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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

9.5/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards1.0989%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI CardHDFC Bank - Infinia Metal
Annual Fee₹499₹12,500
Joining Fee₹499₹12,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.16666666666666669%1.0989%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/109.5/10
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

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

  • 10.99% on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels — 15000 pts/month
  • 5.48% on SmartBuy Other Categories — 15000 pts/month

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.

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal

Pros

  • Industry-leading 3.33% base reward rate with 1:1 redemption on travel.
  • Accelerated rewards up to 33% via HDFC SmartBuy platform.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on members.
  • Low 2% foreign currency markup fee, ideal for international spenders.

Cons

  • Strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most applicants.
  • High annual fee of ₹12,500 + GST, though offset by renewal points.
  • Recent caps on reward redemptions for Apple products and Tanishq vouchers.

Our Verdict

HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal if

Exclusive lifestyle benefits, unlimited golf, and concierge services tailored for HNIs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal 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 HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,500. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.16666666666666669% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Movies. HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal offers 1.0989% base rewards with bonuses on SmartBuy Flights & Hotels and SmartBuy Other Categories. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or HDFC Bank - Infinia Metal?
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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