HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card vs SBI Cards SimplySAVE Visa Platinum Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card vs Sbi Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card

In short: SBI SimplySAVE has the lower annual fee (₹499 vs ₹500); both charge a 3.5% forex markup.

Key factsHDFC MoneyBackSBI SimplySAVE
Annual fee₹500₹499
Joining fee₹500Not listed
Annual fee waivedOn ₹50,000 annual spendOn ₹1 lakh annual spend
Top reward rate2X Reward Points per ₹200 on Online SpendsEnjoy 10 Reward Points on Every ₹150 Spent at Dining
Base rewards2 Reward Points Per ₹2001 Reward Point Per ₹150 Spent
Forex markup3.5%3.5%

From issuer benefit data, checked 7 Nov 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.

What you'd earn in a year

On ₹20,000 a month with ₹5,000 at each card's top rate, SBI SimplySAVE returns about ₹551 more a year after annual fees (₹1,300 vs ₹750 in rewards).

Spend profileHDFC MoneyBackSBI SimplySAVE
Reward value: top rate / base rate0.5% / 0.25%1.67% / 0.17%
₹20,000 a month, all general spends₹600₹400
₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate₹750₹1,300
Annual fee₹500₹499

Estimates from the earn rates above, with stated cashback caps applied, before exclusions. Reward points are valued at the card's best listed redemption (often travel or vouchers via the bank's portal); cash-back on the statement is usually worth less. Annual fees may be waived on spend (see the table below).

The HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card and the SBI Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card both offer rewards and fuel surcharge waivers, but they differ significantly in their reward structures and fee waivers. HDFC MoneyBack provides accelerated rewards on online spends and a milestone gift voucher, while SBI Simplysave offers high reward points on dining, grocery, movies, and departmental store spends. Both cards charge similar forex markup fees and provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → Sbi Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card
Best for travel → Too close to call
Best for low fee → Too close to call
Best for beginners → HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card
Feature HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card Sbi Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card
BankHDFC BankSBI Cards
NetworkVisaVisa
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.500—
Annual / renewal feeRenewal Fee of Rs.500Annual Fee of Rs.499
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.50000 For Renewal Fee WaiverSpend Rs.1 Lakhs For Waiver of Renewal Fee
Top reward rateEarn 2X Reward Points per Rs.200 on Online SpendsEnjoy 10 Reward Points on Every Rs. 150 Spent at Dining
Base rate (other spends)Earn 2 Reward Points Per Rs.200Earn 1 Reward Point Per Rs.150 Spent
Fuel surcharge waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Welcome benefitWelcome Benefit - 500 CashPointsEarn 2000 bonus Reward Points
Milestone benefitGet Rs.500 Gift Voucher on Spend Rs.50000—
Foreign currency markup3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

For rewards, SBI Simplysave offers a higher top reward rate, giving 10 reward points per Rs.150 spent on dining, groceries, movies, and departmental stores, compared to HDFC MoneyBack's 2X reward points per Rs.200 on online spends. SBI Simplysave's base reward rate is 1 point per Rs.150, slightly lower in value but with more accelerated categories. At Rs.20,000 monthly spend, SBI Simplysave yields about Rs.1,300 annually in rewards versus Rs.750 for HDFC MoneyBack, making SBI Simplysave better for diversified category rewards.

Which is better for travel?

Neither card lists domestic or international lounge access in our data, and both have the same forex markup fee of 3.5%. While HDFC MoneyBack focuses rewards on online spends, SBI Simplysave targets lifestyle categories like dining and movies. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, making their travel-related benefits comparable overall.

Which has lower effective cost?

HDFC MoneyBack charges a joining and renewal fee of Rs.500 each, with a renewal fee waiver on spending Rs.50,000. SBI Simplysave has an annual fee of Rs.499, waived if you spend Rs.1 lakh. Both cards have similar fee waiver conditions, but SBI Simplysave requires double the spend for fee waiver. Consider your spending pattern to evaluate effective cost.

Reward Redemption Flexibility

HDFC MoneyBack allows redemption of points against statement balance at Rs.0.20 per point and also offers travel and product catalogue redemptions with varying point values. SBI Simplysave redeems points at 4 points = Rs.1 for statement balance and catalogue gifts, which is a slightly lower redemption value. This affects the effective value of rewards earned.

Who should pick HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card?

Consider HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card if you prefer straightforward accelerated rewards on online spending and want a milestone gift voucher benefit. It is suitable for users who spend moderately online and want a lower renewal fee waiver threshold of Rs.50,000.

Who should pick Sbi Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card?

Consider SBI Cards Simplysave Visa Platinum Credit Card if you spend heavily on dining, groceries, movies, and departmental stores and want higher reward points in these categories. It is ideal for lifestyle-focused users who can meet the Rs.1 lakh spend for fee waiver and want a larger welcome bonus of 2,000 reward points.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees and their waiver conditions for these cards?

HDFC MoneyBack charges Rs.500 as joining and renewal fees, with renewal fee waived on Rs.50,000 spend. SBI Simplysave has an annual fee of Rs.499, waived if you spend Rs.1 lakh.

Which card offers better rewards on dining and groceries?

SBI Simplysave offers 10 reward points per Rs.150 spent on dining and groceries, which is significantly higher than HDFC MoneyBack's 2X points per Rs.200 on online spends.

Do these cards offer fuel surcharge waivers?

Yes, both cards provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions.

What is the forex markup fee for these cards?

Both cards charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% on foreign currency transactions.

Are there any milestone benefits with these cards?

HDFC MoneyBack offers a Rs.500 gift voucher on quarterly spends of Rs.50,000. SBI Simplysave does not list milestone benefits in our data.