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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT vs City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

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

SBI Card

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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City Union Bank

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.16666666666666669%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureSBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECTCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card
Annual Fee₹2,999₹499
Joining Fee₹2,999₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.16666666666666669%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating7.8/106.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on International

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

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

Pros & Cons

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT

Pros

  • Exceptional 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • High 3.5% value back on all spends at Star Bazaar outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata retail outlets like Westside and Croma.
  • Generous welcome and milestone vouchers that can fully offset the annual fee.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹2,999 with a relatively high waiver threshold of ₹3 Lakhs.
  • Rewards and benefits are heavily concentrated within the Tata ecosystem.
  • No complimentary international lounge access despite the premium fee.

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.

Our Verdict

SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT 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 SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT if

Maximum value is derived from shopping at Star Bazaar, Westside, Croma, and other Tata brands.

Choose City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT 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 SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT has an annual fee of ₹2,999, while City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Groceries and Dining. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers 0.16666666666666669% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Movies. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card - Tata Star Card SELECT or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI 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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