SimplySave SBI Card Vs SBI Card Pulse
Last Updated : April 3, 2025, 5:44 p.m.
In an increasingly competitive credit card market, the State Bank of India offers diverse options catering to different consumer needs and lifestyles. Two of their notable offerings—the SimplySave SBI Card and the SBI Card Pulse represent distinct approaches to reward-based spending. The SimplySave SBI Card serves as an entry-level card focused on everyday essentials, offering accelerated rewards on dining, groceries, and entertainment with a modest annual fee. In contrast, the SBI Card Pulse is a specialized lifestyle credit card designed specifically for health and fitness enthusiasts, featuring unique benefits like complimentary fitness memberships and enhanced rewards on pharmacy purchases, priced at a higher fee. This comparison examines how these cards stack up against each other in terms of reward structures, welcome benefits, annual fee considerations, insurance coverage, and lifestyle perks—helping you determine which card better aligns with your spending habits and personal priorities in today's evolving financial landscape.
Comparing the Features of SimplySave SBI Card and SBI Card Pulse
The SimplySave SBI Card is an entry-level card designed for everyday expenses, offering rewards on dining, movies, department stores, and grocery spending. It comes with a modest annual fee and is ideal for first-time credit card users who want to maximize savings on daily expenses. The SBI Card Pulse, on the other hand, is specifically designed for health and fitness enthusiasts. It offers comprehensive health benefits, insurance coverage, and rewards on pharmacy and medical-related expenses, making it suitable for those who prioritize health and wellness in their lifestyle.
Here's an in depth comparison between the SimplySave SBI Card and SBI Card Pulse:
| Feature | SimplySave SBI Card | SBI Card Pulse |
|---|---|---|
Annual Fee | Rs. 499 + taxes | Rs. 1,499 + taxes |
Annual Fee Waiver | Spend Rs. 1,00,000 or more in a membership year | Spend Rs. 2,00,000 or more in the previous year |
Welcome Benefits | 2,000 bonus reward points on spends of Rs. 2,000 in the first 60 days | ColorFit Pulse 4 Pro Smart Watch worth Rs 7,999 on paying the joining fee |
Reward Rate | 10 reward points for each Rs. 150 spent on movies, dining, grocery spends, and departmental stores. 1 reward point per Rs. 150 spent on all other categories |
|
Reward Redemption Value | 1 Reward Point = Rs 0.25 | 4 Reward Points = Rs. 1 |
Milestone Benefits | Annual fee reversal as mentioned above | Rs. 1,500 e-voucher on achieving retail spends of Rs. 4 lakhs in a year |
Health Benefits | None |
|
Lounge Access | None |
|
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000 (Max Rs. 100 per month) | 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000 (Max Rs. 250 per statement cycle) |
Insurance Coverage | Not specified |
|
Which Card Should You Choose?
Choose SimplySave SBI Card if:
- You're a first-time credit card user looking for an entry-level card.
- Your primary expenses are on dining, groceries, movies, and department stores.
- You prefer a lower annual fee.
- You don't require health benefits or lounge access.
- You're looking to maximize rewards on everyday expenses.
Choose SBI Card Pulse if:
- You're health and fitness-oriented.
- You frequently spend on medical, pharmacy, and fitness-related expenses.
- You value additional health benefits like FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships.
- You travel frequently and would benefit from airport lounge access.
- You want comprehensive insurance coverage (air accident and fraud liability).
- You're willing to pay a higher annual fee for premium benefits.
Conclusion
The SimplySave SBI Card and SBI Card Pulse cater to different customer segments with distinct spending patterns and lifestyle preferences. The SimplySave SBI Card is more suitable for everyday spenders who want to maximize rewards on daily expenses with a lower annual fee. It's an excellent choice for first-time credit card users or those with moderate spending habits focused on groceries, dining, and entertainment. The SBI Card Pulse offers a more specialized set of benefits tailored for health-conscious individuals who spend significantly on medical and fitness-related expenses. With its premium features like lounge access, comprehensive insurance coverage, and health-related memberships, it justifies its higher annual fee for the right user.
Choose the card that aligns with your lifestyle, spending patterns, and the benefits that matter most to you. After choosing the credit card that you want to apply for, check your free CIBIL score on Wishfin. Your credit score is a very important eligibility criteria governing the approval or rejection of your application. Hence checking it is essential to know if you have a good score.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
