Two entry-level credit cards that are popular among first-time users are the SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card and the Axis My Zone Credit Card. Both are positioned as low-cost options with attractive benefits, but they are made for different spending habits and reward preferences. While SBI SimplySAVE offers a decent reward structure that benefits day-to-day spending, Axis My Zone focuses on exceptional lifestyle perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, food delivery discounts, and entertainment offers. These cards are ideal for users who are just starting to build their credit profiles or are looking to maximise value without paying huge annual fees.
Annual Fee and Welcome Benefits
The SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card comes with an annual fee of ₹499 plus GST. The Axis My Zone Credit Card is priced similarly at ₹500 plus GST. At first glance, both appear equally priced, but the difference lies in what you get in return.
SBI offers 2,000 reward points if you spend ₹2,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance. Since each point is valued at ₹0.25, this welcome benefit is effectively worth ₹500, almost covering your first-year fee. Moreover, the renewal fee is waived from the second year onwards if you spend ₹1 lakh or more annually.
On the other hand, Axis My Zone comes with a welcome gift of a SonyLiv Premium subscription worth ₹1,499. This benefit is not in the form of reward points but a direct lifestyle service. This subscription is renewed every year if you spend ₹1.5 lakh or more annually.
| Particulars | SBI SimplySAVE | Axis My Zone |
| Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
| Welcome Benefits | 2,000 Reward Points on Spending ₹2,000 in the First 60 Days | Free SonyLiv Subscription Worth ₹1,499 |
| Spend-Based Waiver | Renewal Fee Waived on Spending ₹1 Lakh in a Year | N/A |
| Milestone Benefit | N/A | SonyLiv Membership is Renewed Every Year on Spending ₹1.5 Lakh or More |
Reward Structure Comparison
SBI SimplySAVE rewards you with 1 point for every ₹150 spent on regular transactions. However, the card stands out by offering 10X reward points on categories like dining, movies, groceries, and department stores.
Axis My Zone offers a flat 4 EDGE Points for every ₹200 spent across all categories. Each EDGE point is worth ₹0.20. While this is significantly lower than SBI’s reward output on category spends, Axis compensates through lifestyle benefits.
Redemption is simple for both cards. SBI points can be redeemed for gift vouchers via the SBI Card website or mobile app. Axis EDGE Points can be redeemed against shopping vouchers and travel bookings through the Axis EDGE Rewards portal.
| Particulars | SBI SimplySAVE | Axis My Zone |
| Earning Reward Points |
|
4 EDGE Points/₹200 |
| Redeeming Reward Points |
|
For Shopping/Travel Vouchers or Products on the Axis Bank EDGE Rewards Portal |
| Value of Reward Points | 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 | 1 EDGE Point = ₹0.20 |
Other Lifestyle Perks
Axis My Zone cardholders enjoy one complimentary domestic airport lounge access every quarter, totaling four visits per year. In addition, the card offers Buy One Get One (BOGO) deals on movie tickets booked via the District app, with a monthly savings potential of ₹250–₹300, or over ₹3,000 per year if used regularly.
Users receive a flat ₹120 off on Swiggy orders above ₹500 once a month, and up to a 15% discount (maximum ₹500) via EazyDiner on dine-in meals. Axis My Zone also offers shopping perks such as ₹1,000 off on AJIO on spends of ₹2,999 or more.
In comparison, SBI SimplySAVE lacks these lifestyle-oriented features. The card focuses purely on reward point accumulation without offering any travel, movie, or dining benefits.
| Particulars | SBI SimplySAVE | Axis My Zone |
| Dining Discounts | N/A |
|
| Complimentary Airport Lounge Access | N/A | 1 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access Every Quarter (4 Each Year) |
| Movie Benefits | N/A | BOGO Offers on Movie Ticket Bookings Via District App |
| Discount on Partner Brands | N/A | Get Up to ₹1,000 Off on AJIO on a Minimum Spend of ₹2,999 |
Bottom Line
If you’re someone who spends mainly on everyday categories like groceries, dining, and movies and prefers savings through points, SBI SimplySAVE delivers higher reward earnings. With an easy reward system and spend-based annual fee waiver, the card is ideal for users who are starting their credit journey.
On the other hand, Axis My Zone is designed for users who enjoy lifestyle benefits and value-added services. The SonyLiv subscription, lounge access, Swiggy, and EazyDiner discounts, as well as movie ticket offers, can collectively deliver well over ₹8,000 in value annually, more than 13 times the card’s annual fee. For someone who doesn’t use food delivery apps, watch OTT content, or go to the movies regularly, much of this value may go unused.