HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins 7-1. Marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 Bonvoy points on Marriott + 2 elsewhere. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 8% (travel) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹800,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | = ₹1,500,000 | = ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
Standard Chartered Ultimate
- 5 reward points per ₹150 (effectively 3.3%)
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- BookMyShow buy-1-get-1
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Comprehensive travel + purchase insurance
FAQ
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins on more dimensions (7 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories, Standard Chartered Ultimate for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.