Hey folks! If you're hunting for the best entry-level credit card for online shopping in India this year, you've probably come across the SBI SimplyCLICK and the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card. These two are absolute favorites for beginners and frequent shoppers alike, offering solid rewards on everyday spends without breaking the bank. But which one edges out the other in 2025? With rising e-commerce trends and tweaks like SBI's recent Swiggy reward devaluation (from 10X to 5X points starting April 2025), it's crucial to stay updated.
In this in-depth guide, we'll dissect both cards based on the latest 2025 details—pulled from official sites, user reviews, and expert comparisons. We'll cover fees, rewards, perks, eligibility, pros/cons, and even real-user scenarios to help you decide. Whether you're a Prime member obsessed with Amazon or someone who shops across platforms like BookMyShow and Flipkart, we've got you covered. Let's break it down step by step for easy reading!
Why Compare These Two Cards in 2025?
Both cards target online shoppers but shine in different ways. The SBI SimplyCLICK is great for diversified online spends with milestone vouchers, while the Amazon Pay ICICI is a cashback powerhouse for Amazon loyalists—especially if you're a Prime member. With no major regulatory changes in 2025 (like the RBI's credit card rules from 2024 staying stable), these remain top picks for low-fee, high-reward options. But factors like fuel waivers, dining perks, and redemption flexibility can tip the scales. Spoiler: If your spends are under ₹2 lakh annually, one might save you more!
SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card: A Deep Dive
The SBI SimplyCLICK is SBI Card's flagship entry-level shopping card, launched to compete in the e-commerce space. It's ideal for users who shop online but not exclusively on one platform. As of 2025, it retains its core structure but with a small update: Reward points on Swiggy online spends dropped from 10X to 5X effective April 1, 2025. Here's the full scoop:
Key Features and Benefits
- Fees: Joining/Annual fee of ₹499 + GST (waived if you spend ₹1 lakh+ annually).
- Welcome Benefit: ₹500 Amazon gift voucher upon paying the joining fee (valid for 12 months).
- Reward Structure:
- 10X Reward Points (RP) on spends with select partners like Apollo 24x7, BookMyShow, Dineout, Eazydiner, Lenskart, Netmeds, and UrbanClap (capped at 10,000 RP/month).
- 5X RP on all other online spends (e.g., Flipkart, Myntra—now including Swiggy at this rate).
- 1X RP on offline/retail spends (1 RP = ₹0.25 value).
- Milestone Perks:
- ₹2,000 Cleartrip e-voucher on ₹1 lakh annual spend.
- Another ₹2,000 Cleartrip voucher on ₹2 lakh spend.
- Annual fee waiver on ₹1 lakh spend.
- Other Perks:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250/month for transactions ₹500-₹3,000).
- Contactless payments for quick transactions.
- Add-on cards for family members.
- Reward Redemption: Points redeemable for vouchers, statement credit, or catalog items (1 RP = ₹0.25 for most redemptions).
- Interest and Charges: Finance charges up to 3.5% monthly (42% annually); late payment fees from ₹0-₹1,300 based on balance.
Eligibility and Application
- Age: 21-60 years (salaried) or 21-65 (self-employed).
- Income: Minimum ₹20,000/month for salaried; ₹3 lakh annual ITR for self-employed.
- Apply online via SBI Card app/website or branches. Approval typically in 7-21 days with CIBIL score >750 preferred.
Pros and Cons (Based on 2025 Reviews)
Pros:
- High rewards on diverse online merchants (up to 2.5% value on 10X partners).
- Milestone vouchers add real value—up to ₹4,000 in travel perks.
- Fee waiver makes it effectively free for moderate spenders.
- Solid for beginners with low offline rewards but strong online focus.
Cons:
- Low 0.25% value on offline spends.
- Points expire after 2-3 years; redemption options limited compared to cashback.
- Swiggy devaluation hurts food delivery enthusiasts.
- No lounge access or premium perks.
User Rating: 4.2/5 on platforms like Paisabazaar (praised for online rewards, criticized for customer service delays).
Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card: A Deep Dive
Co-branded with Amazon, this ICICI Bank card is a lifetime-free gem for e-commerce fans. In 2025, it continues to dominate with unlimited cashback (no caps or expiry), but note exclusions on gold, EMI, and rent payments. No big updates this year, but integration with Amazon Pay has improved for seamless UPI links.
Key Features and Benefits
- Fees: Lifetime free—no joining or annual charges.
- Welcome Benefit: Up to ₹2,500 in cashback/discounts for Prime/non-Prime members + 1-month EazyDiner membership.
- Reward Structure (Cashback as Amazon Pay Balance):
- 5% for Prime members on Amazon.in (except gift cards, e-books, Amazon Pay loads, utilities/recharges—those earn 2%).
- 3% for non-Prime on Amazon.in (same exclusions).
- 2% on 100+ Amazon Pay partner merchants (e.g., restaurants, bills via Amazon Pay).
- 1% on all other online/offline spends (including utilities, insurance—no fuel-specific extra).
- Milestone Perks: None, but unlimited earnings make it rewarding for high spenders.
- Other Perks:
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions (₹500-₹4,000).
- 15% off on dining at ICICI's Culinary Treats partners (via EazyDiner integration).
- No-cost EMI on Amazon for 3/6 months.
- Cashback credited instantly to Amazon Pay (usable on Amazon or partners like Uber, Swiggy).
- Interest and Charges: Up to 3.8% monthly finance charges (45.6% annually); late fees ₹100-₹1,300.
Eligibility and Application
- Age: 21-60 years.
- Income: ₹25,000/month for salaried (metro); ₹20,000 elsewhere; self-employed need ₹6 lakh ITR.
- Apply via Amazon app/ICICI site—often instant approval for existing ICICI customers. CIBIL >750 ideal.
Pros and Cons (Based on 2025 Reviews)
Pros:
- Lifetime free with no hidden fees—perfect for cost-conscious users.
- High 5% cashback for Prime members (unlimited, instant redemption).
- Versatile 1-2% on non-Amazon spends; great for bills and dining.
- Seamless Amazon integration; no expiry on rewards.
Cons:
- Rewards locked to Amazon ecosystem (can't convert to cash easily).
- Lower benefits for non-Prime (3% vs. 5%); Prime costs ₹1,499/year extra.
- No milestones or travel perks; limited to shopping/dining.
- Exclusions on high-value items like gold/EMI hurt big spenders.
User Rating: 4.5/5 (lauded for simplicity, but some complain about ICICI's app glitches).
Head-to-Head Comparison Table
Here's a detailed side-by-side for quick scanning. We've expanded beyond basics to include 2025-specifics like fuel, dining, and redemption.
| Category | SBI SimplyCLICK Credit Card | Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹499 + GST (waived on ₹1L spend) | Lifetime Free |
| Welcome Benefits | ₹500 Amazon Voucher | Up to ₹2,500 Cashback + 1-Month EazyDiner |
| Reward Rate | 10X on partners (2.5% value), 5X other online (1.25%), 1X offline (0.25%) | 5% Prime/3% non-Prime on Amazon, 2% partners, 1% others |
| Milestones | ₹2,000 Cleartrip at ₹1L & ₹2L; Fee waiver at ₹1L | None |
| Dining Perks | None specific (but 10X on Dineout/Eazydiner) | 15% off at ICICI Culinary partners |
| Fuel Waiver | 1% (₹500-₹3,000 txns, up to ₹250/month) | 1% on all fuel (₹500-₹4,000 txns) |
| Redemption | Points for vouchers/credit (0.25/value) | Instant Amazon Pay cashback (no expiry) |
| Other Perks | Contactless, add-ons | No-cost EMI on Amazon, UPI integration |
| Interest Rate | Up to 42% p.a. | Up to 45.6% p.a. |
| Best For | Diverse online shopping, milestone hunters | Amazon-heavy users, cashback lovers |
To visualize rewards: For ₹50,000 Amazon spend (Prime user), SBI gives ~₹625 (5X), vs. ICICI's ₹2,500 (5%)—ICICI wins big here. But for ₹10,000 on BookMyShow, SBI's 10X nets ₹250 value!
Which Card Should You Choose in 2025?
- Pick SBI SimplyCLICK if: You shop across sites (Flipkart, Swiggy), want milestones for travel vouchers, and can hit ₹1L spend for fee waiver. Great for non-Prime users or those avoiding Amazon lock-in.
- Pick Amazon Pay ICICI if: You're a Prime member (or plan to be), do 50%+ spends on Amazon/partners, and prefer hassle-free cashback over points. It's unbeatable for lifetime-free value.
- User Scenarios: Beginner with ₹5,000 monthly online? Go ICICI for simplicity. Frequent traveler spending ₹1.5L/year? SBI's vouchers add extra oomph.
- Alternatives: If neither fits, check HDFC Millennia (1-5% cashback) or Axis ACE (2% Google Pay).
Final Thoughts
In 2025, the Amazon Pay ICICI edges out for most users thanks to its zero fees and high Amazon rewards—potentially saving Prime members 2-3X more on shopping. But SBI SimplyCLICK holds strong for versatile spenders with its milestones and partner boosts. Ultimately, tally your spends: If Amazon dominates, ICICI is your winner; otherwise, SBI offers broader appeal. Always check official sites for personalized offers, as promos can change. Ready to apply? Share your pick in the comments—happy carding! 💳