The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card, issued by SBI Card, is an entry-level credit card tailored for online shoppers. Launched to cater to the growing digital shopping trend in India, it offers accelerated reward points on online transactions, particularly with partner merchants, making it an attractive option for young, tech-savvy individuals. With a low annual fee and benefits like milestone rewards and fuel surcharge waivers, it targets beginners and frequent online shoppers seeking value without high costs. The card operates on the Visa platform, ensuring global acceptance, and includes contactless payment technology for convenience.
Review
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card is designed for those who prioritize online shopping, offering a competitive reward structure for digital transactions. Its key strength lies in its partnership with popular e-commerce and service platforms like BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Myntra, and Swiggy, where cardholders can earn 10X reward points. The card also provides 5X reward points on other online spends, making it versatile for general e-commerce use. However, its rewards for offline purchases are limited, and the redemption process has drawn criticism for being restrictive, with options primarily limited to Cleartrip and Yatra vouchers. Recent changes, such as the devaluation of reward points from 25 paise to 20 paise per point and the exclusion of rewards on discounted transactions, have reduced its appeal compared to its earlier popularity. Customer service issues and hidden charges further impact its value for some users. Despite these drawbacks, the card remains a solid choice for those who frequently shop at partner merchants and can meet the spending threshold for fee waivers.
- Joining Fees: Rs 499+GST
- Annual Fees: Rs 499+GST
- 10X Reward Points on online spends
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
- Rs. 500 Amazon Gift voucher
Rewards and Benefits
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card offers a range of rewards and benefits, primarily focused on online shopping:
- Welcome Offer: A ₹500 Amazon e-gift voucher upon payment of the ₹499 annual fee, effectively offsetting the first-year cost.
- Reward Points:
- 10X Reward Points: Earn 10 points per ₹100 spent on online purchases at partner merchants, including Apollo 24/7, BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Dominos, IGP, Myntra, Netmeds, Swiggy, and Yatra (reward rate of 2.5% at 1 point = ₹0.25).
- 5X Reward Points: Earn 5 points per ₹100 on all other online spends (reward rate of 1.25%).
- 1X Reward Points: Earn 1 point per ₹100 on offline spends, including utility bills (reward rate of 0.25%).
- Maximum of 10,000 reward points per month for both 10X and 5X categories.
- Milestone Benefits:
- Cleartrip e-vouchers worth ₹2,000 each on annual online spends of ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh, offering up to ₹4,000 in vouchers annually.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000, up to ₹100 per billing cycle (exclusive of GST).
- Contactless Payments: Supports secure, tap-to-pay transactions for convenience.
- Global Acceptance: Usable at over 24 million Visa or MasterCard outlets worldwide, including 325,000 in India.
- Add-On Cards: Free add-on cards for family members above 18 years.
- Balance Transfer on EMI: Transfer outstanding balances from other credit cards at a lower interest rate (starting at 0.83% per month).
- Flexipay: Convert transactions above ₹2,500 into EMIs within 30 days.
- Utility Bill Payments: Pay electricity, telephone, and mobile bills via the Easy Bill Pay facility.
- Zero Liability Protection: No liability for unauthorized transactions if reported promptly.
Reward Redemption:
- Points are valid for 2 years and can be redeemed for Cleartrip/Yatra e-vouchers or products from SBI Card’s reward catalog.
- Redemption fee of ₹99 per transaction, regardless of points redeemed.
- Points cannot be converted to cashback or statement credit, limiting flexibility.
Fees and Charges
- Joining Fee: ₹499 + GST (one-time).
- Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST, waived if annual spends exceed ₹1 lakh in the previous year.
- Finance Charges: 3.5% per month (42% per annum) on outstanding balances.
- Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 3.5% + GST on international transactions.
- Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn, minimum ₹500.
- Reward Redemption Fee: ₹99 per redemption.
- Late Payment Fee:
- ₹0 for balances between ₹0–₹500.
- ₹400–₹1,300 based on outstanding amount (e.g., ₹400 for ₹501–₹1,000, ₹1,300 for >₹25,000).
- Overlimit Fee: 2.5% of the overlimit amount, minimum ₹600.
- Payment Dishonor Fee: 2% of the payment amount, minimum ₹500.
- Other Charges: No additional fees for NEFT transactions; standard charges apply for cheque payments outside Delhi.
Pros
- Affordable Fees: Low joining and annual fees (₹499), with annual fee waiver on ₹1 lakh spends.
- High Reward Rates: 10X (2.5%) and 5X (1.25%) reward points on online spends, especially with partners.
- Welcome Benefit: ₹500 Amazon voucher offsets the first-year fee.
- Milestone Rewards: Up to ₹4,000 in Cleartrip vouchers for ₹2 lakh annual spends.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹100 per month on fuel transactions.
- Global Usability: Accepted worldwide with contactless payment support.
- Easy Eligibility: Lower income requirements make it accessible for beginners.
- EMI Options: Flexipay and balance transfer facilities for financial flexibility.
Cons
- Limited Redemption Options: Rewards restricted to Cleartrip/Yatra vouchers or catalog products, no cashback or statement credit.
- Reward Point Devaluation: Point value reduced from 25 paise to 20 paise, lowering returns.
- No Rewards on Discounts: No points for transactions involving instant discounts (e.g., Amazon/Flipkart sales).
- High Finance Charges: 42% annual interest rate on unpaid balances.
- Foreign Transaction Fees: 3.5% markup fee makes international use costly.
- No Lounge Access: Lacks airport lounge benefits, unlike some peers.
- Reward Redemption Fee: ₹99 per redemption reduces overall value.
- Poor Customer Service: Reports of unresponsive support and issues with reward point reversals.
- Exclusions: No rewards on utility bills, fuel, wallet loads, or certain MCC-coded transactions.
Comparison with Peers
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card competes with other entry-level credit cards focused on online shopping or rewards. Below is a detailed comparison with peers: Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card, HDFC MoneyBack+ Credit Card, and Axis Bank Neo Credit Card.
Feature | SBI SimplyCLICK | Amazon Pay ICICI | HDFC MoneyBack+ | Axis Bank Neo |
Annual Fee | ₹499 (waived on ₹1L spend) | None | ₹500 (waived on ₹1L spend) | ₹250 (waived on ₹40,000 spend) |
Welcome Offer | ₹500 Amazon voucher | None | 500 points (₹125 value) | ₹250 Amazon voucher |
Reward Structure | 10X on partners (2.5%), 5X online (1.25%), 1X offline (0.25%) | 5% Amazon (Prime), 3% Amazon (non-Prime), 2% partners, 1% others (cashback) | 10X partners (2.5%), 5X online (1.25%), 2X offline (0.5%) | 10% partners (2%), 5% Amazon/Flipkart (1%), 1% others (0.2%) |
Reward Type | Points (1 point = ₹0.25, 2-year validity) | Cashback (credited to Amazon Pay) | Points (1 point = ₹0.25) | Points (1 point = ₹0.20) |
Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption | None | None | None |
Milestone Benefits | ₹2,000 Cleartrip vouchers at ₹1L and ₹2L spends | None | None | None |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% (₹500–₹3,000, max ₹100/month) | None | 1% (₹400–₹5,000, max ₹250/month) | 1% (₹400–₹5,000, max ₹50/month) |
Foreign Markup Fee | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 3.5% |
Finance Charges | 3.5% p.m. (42% p.a.) | 3.5%–3.8% p.m. (42%–45.6% p.a.) | 3.6% p.m. (43.2% p.a.) | 3.6% p.m. (43.2% p.a.) |
Lounge Access | None | None | None | None |
Best For | Frequent shoppers at partner merchants (e.g., BookMyShow, Myntra) | Amazon shoppers, especially Prime members | General online/offline shoppers | Budget shoppers, Amazon/Flipkart users |
Recommendations
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card is recommended for:
- Frequent Online Shoppers: Ideal for those who regularly shop at partner merchants like BookMyShow, Cleartrip, Myntra, or Swiggy, as the 10X reward points (2.5%) and milestone vouchers offer strong value.
- Beginners: Its low income requirements and affordable fees make it accessible for young professionals or first-time cardholders.
- Users Meeting Spend Thresholds: Those who can spend ₹1 lakh annually to waive the fee and earn milestone vouchers will maximize benefits.
Not Recommended For:
- Offline Shoppers: The low 0.25% reward rate on offline spends makes it less appealing compared to cards like SBI SimplySAVE.
- Travel Enthusiasts: No lounge access or travel-specific perks; consider premium cards like SBI Elite for such benefits.
- Cashback Seekers: Limited redemption options and a ₹99 fee per redemption make cashback cards like Amazon Pay ICICI more straightforward.
Tips for Maximizing Value:
- Focus spends on partner merchants to earn 10X points.
- Reach ₹1 lakh annual spends to waive the fee and earn a ₹2,000 voucher; aim for ₹2 lakh for an additional voucher.
- Avoid using the card for international transactions due to high markup fees.
- Pay bills on time to avoid high finance charges (42% p.a.).
- Monitor reward points, as they expire after 2 years, and redeem strategically despite the ₹99 fee.
Alternatives
- Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card: For Amazon-focused shoppers seeking cashback without fees.
- HDFC MoneyBack+: For balanced online/offline rewards with no redemption fees.
- Axis Bank Neo: For budget users prioritizing low fees and Amazon/Flipkart rewards.
Final Thought
The SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card is a strong entry-level option for online shoppers who frequent its partner platforms and can meet spending thresholds. However, its restrictive redemption options, high finance charges, and recent reward devaluation make it less competitive for those seeking flexibility or offline benefits. Carefully assess your spending habits and compare with peers before applying.
