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Standard Chartered
Federal BankStandard Chartered launched its Ultimate credit card in September 2017. It is the most premium card issued by the bank as of now. It should be the card of choice for individuals with a high income who want to enjoy an elite lifestyle without compromising with their lavish needs. This card is in direct competition with ICICI Bank Sapphiro credit card and HDFC Bank Infinia credit card Metal Edition. Earlier, the card was being offered in two variants- the Visa Infinite variant and MasterCard World variant; the former has now been discontinued, though. Since it’s a premium card, Standard Chartered offers some exclusive benefits to its customers, like, golf services, Priority Pass membership, etc; with this card.
Considering all the international travel requirements of its customers in mind, Standard Chartered has also kept the foreign currency exchange rate at 2% (lower than the average fee of 3.5%) and offers 5% cashback on duty-free purchases at airports. As it is a Reward Points-based credit card, you get 5 Rewards on every Rs. 150 spent using this card, which can be redeemed against shopping vouchers or charity spends under the Standard Chartered 360° rewards program.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card
Fees
Joining Fee
Renewal Fee
Best Suited For
Travel | Shopping |
Reward Type
Reward Points
Welcome Benefits
Movie & Dining
N/A
Rewards Rate
5 Reward Points on every retail purchase of Rs. 150
Reward Redemption
The earned Rewards are redeemable on the SC online portal under the Standard Chartered 360° rewards program. 1 Reward Point = Re. 1.
Travel
Complimentary Priority Pass membership with free domestic and international lounge access, and 5% cashback on all duty-free purchases at airports.
Golf
1 complimentary golf game per month, and 1 free golf coaching session each month.
Domestic Lounge Access
16 domestic lounge access per year (4 every quarter)
International Lounge Access
1 complimentary lounge visits per month with the Priority Pass membership.
Insurance Benefits
Air accidental insurance cover worth Rs. 1 crore, and several travel insurance covers.
Zero Liability Protection
Cardholder won't be liable for any fraudulent transaction made on their lost/stolen card once the loss of card is reported to the bank.
Spend Based Waiver
None
Rewards Redemption Fee
Rs. 99
Rewards Redemption Fee
Rs. 99
Foreign Currency Markup
2% (3.5% charged at the time of transaction and 1.5% cashback within 60 days)
Interest Rates
3.75% every month or 45% annually
Fuel Surcharge
1% fuel surcharge waiver is applicable. Maximum Rs. 1,000 each month.
Cash Advance Charges
3% of the transacted amount, subject to a minimum fee of Rs. 300
Add-on Card Fee
Nil
- Welcome bonus of 6,000 reward points.
- 5 RPs every time you spend Rs. 150 using the card.
- 2% foreign currency markup.
- 5% cashback on duty-free purchases at airports.
- Airport lounge access at over 1,000 airports around the world.
- 5,000 Rewards every year on the renewal of card membership.
- Air accident insurance worth Rs. 1 crore by HDFC EGRO General Insurance.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Features & Benefits
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Welcome Benefits
You get 6,000 Reward Points as a joining/welcome benefit. These points can be redeemed for shopping vouchers, and charity spends under the 360° rewards program.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Rewards
- You earn 5 RPs on every Rs. 150 spent on retail purchases using the card.
- The following categories shall now earn 3 Reward Points on every Rs. 150 spent- Utilities, supermarkets, insurance, property management, schools, governments and rental payments.
- You also get a 5% cashback on purchases from duty-free stores at airports, with maximum cashback capped at Rs. 1,000 every month.
- No reward points are earned for Fuel and cashback transactions.
Rewards Redemption
- The reward points that you’ve earned can be redeemed against shopping vouchers (from popular brands like Nykaa, Croma, Shoppers Stop, etc.) and charity spends on the Standard Chartered online portal under the 360° rewards program.
- The value of 1 RP for this card is Re. 1.
- These earned Rewards expire after 3 years from the accumulation date.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Travel Benefits
- You get a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
- You get 4 complimentary domestic lounge access in a calendar quarter.
- You get 1 complimentary international airport lounge visit every calendar month.
The Priority Pass can be used for 1 complimentary international lounge access per month only if you make spends of Rs. 20,000 or more in the previous month with your credit card. Any visits over the complimentary visit per month, including guest visits, will be charged the Priority Pass usage fee.
Golf Benefits
- 1 complimentary Golf game every month at selected domestic golf courses.
- 1 complimentary Golf coaching session at selected domestic golf courses.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Insurance Benefits
| Category | Insurance Coverage |
| Accidental air death | Rs. 1 crore |
| Emergency medical insurance | USD 25,000 |
| Flight hijacking | USD 100 |
| Delayed baggage | USD 100 |
| Lost baggage/documents | USD 750 |
| Flight delay | USD 200 |
Fuel Surcharge
A 1% fuel surcharge waiver is also provided with this card at all petrol pumps across India. Maximum fuel surcharge waiver is Rs. 1000 per month.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Foreign Currency Markup
The foreign currency mark-up for transactions using this credit is significantly lower than other cards. Although you pay a markup of 3.5% at the time of the transaction (just like other cards), you get 1.5% cashback within 60 days of the transaction. So, the effective foreign currency markup is 2%.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Eligibility
In order to improve the chances of approval for the Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit card, you will need to fulfil certain eligibility criteria, which are as follows:
- Your age must be between 21 and 65 years.
- You must have a stable source of monthly income.
- You should have a decent credit score.
How to Apply for Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card?
You can apply for the SC Ultimate credit card online by clicking here. Once you’ve successfully submitted your digital application, a bank executive will get in touch with you in order to complete the documentation. You will have to submit an ID proof (like an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter card, or any other government-issued ID proof), an address proof, a passport-sized photo of yours, and financial documents like IT return proof (for self-employed individuals) or the latest bank statements/salary slip (for salaried employees). Your card application can also be processed based on your other credit statements.
Standard Chartered Ultimate Credit Card Review
Considering all the benefits that it comes bundled with, the Standard Chartered Ultimate credit card can be a good option for HNIs (High Net-worth Individuals) who travel frequently and want to enjoy a lavish lifestyle as it offers benefits like 16 domestic lounge access, complimentary Priority Pass membership, cashback on shopping from duty-free stores at airports and an air accident insurance cover. You also get premium benefits like concierge service golf games, and coaching sessions. We think this card offers good competition to HDFC Bank Infinia credit card. What are your views about this card, make sure to let us know in the comment section below. If you’re an existing cardholder, feel free to share your experiences.
7 Comments
Is there any offer of fee waiver on achieving annual milestone
Used the card at Kolkata duty free shop on 18th June yet to receive Cashback
No milestone benefits, but you earn 5,000 reward points every year on the renewal of card membership.
Ultimate Experience with Standard Chartered Ultimate card . I applied for the card on line on 29th Jan’23 and recieved the card on 2nd Feb’23. Unbelievable !!! SC is so much efficient. Within few hrs after applying on SUNDAY , I got call , document submitted , Video KYC done followed by all approvals . Too good experience with Standard Chartered credit card division . On the other side , I applied for HDFC Infinia Metal card on 23rd Jan ’23 , it is still in progress ( today is 8th Feb ). They asked to send few docs by courier to Chennai office . Very poor experience . What’s the meaning of online application ?
I used HDFC Infinia Credit card & HDFC Diners Club Black for more than 6 years. The service people are excellent. The only problem is their policies. I had to eventually surrender HDFC Infinia Card and go for Amex Platinum and StanChart Ultimate Credit Cards. Amex and Stanchar provide excellent services and too prompt. Never ever go for HDFC Credit Cards
Hi Rajat,
Please suggest an alternate credit card to Standard Chartered ULTIMATE compared on effective reward rates.
SCB seems determined to kill ULTIMATE(ly) since the card has lost the edge over its competition with following policy changes topped up with annual renewal cost of Rs. 5000/- + 18% GST and fewer GVs in Reward Points Redemption Options.
Effective 2 April, 2023:
1) Transactions on Utilities, Supermarkets, Insurance, Property Management, Schools & Government payments will now earn 3 reward points on every INR 150 spent.
2) No reward points will be earned on Fuel transactions. However, you will now enjoy a surcharge waiver of 1% on fuel spends. Fuel surcharge waiver amount will be capped at INR 1000 per month.
3) You will be charged a 1% processing fee (plus applicable taxes) for rental payments made using Standard Chartered credit cards.
By ultimate credit card you get 5 reward points on rs 150 and according to bank the value of 1 reward point is 1 rs.. you can redeem reward points by going to 360 reward points but this is the real scam..
On 360 Reward Points you get the value of 1 Reward not Re 1 but 25 Paise.. And that too very 3rd class Rewards.. No Voucher is less than 8000 Points!
On 16000 points you will get a voucher worth Rs.4000.. I think Standard Chartered should end their rewards option as it is sheer loot.