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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card vs Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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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HDFC Bank

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.04%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI CardPharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹500
Joining Fee₹499₹500
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹70,000
Base Reward Rate0.16666666666666669%0.04%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating6.8/106.8/10
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

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 0% on Pharmeasy — 3000 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.

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on Pharmeasy spends including medicines and healthcare products
  • Complimentary 6-month Pharmeasy Plus membership worth ₹999
  • Up to 50% discount on diagnostic tests and health check-ups
  • Low annual fee waiver threshold of ₹70,000 per year

Cons

  • No airport lounge access benefits
  • Low base reward rate of 1 point per ₹150 spent
  • Monthly reward point cap of 3,000 points on partner spends

Our Verdict

Both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card if

High 5% value back on regular medicine and diagnostic requirements via Pharmeasy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹70,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.16666666666666669% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Movies. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 0.04% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmeasy. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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 Pharmeasy HDFC Bank 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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