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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Tata Star SBI Card 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

Tata Star SBI Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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City Union Bank

City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.16666666666666669%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureTata Star SBI CardCity Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card
Annual Fee₹499₹499
Joining Fee₹499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.16666666666666669%
Reward CurrencyReward PointReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/106.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Tata Star SBI Card

  • 0% on Grocery
  • 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

Tata Star SBI Card

Pros

  • High 3.5% value back at all Star Bazaar and Star Market outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata partner brands like Westside and Croma.
  • Excellent 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • Welcome gift voucher of ₹1,000 effectively covers the joining fee for two years.

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access in this variant.
  • Rewards are most valuable only when redeemed within the Tata ecosystem.
  • Base reward rate of 1% is modest for non-partner retail spends.

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

Tata Star SBI 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 Tata Star SBI Card if

High value back at Star Bazaar makes it one of the best entry-level cards for monthly grocery runs.

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: Tata Star SBI Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI 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 Tata Star SBI Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499. Tata Star SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Tata Star SBI Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Tata Star SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Grocery 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 Tata Star SBI Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Tata Star SBI Card and City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Tata Star SBI Card or City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card?
For beginners, Tata Star 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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