Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India

ICICI Rubyx vs Standard Chartered Ultimate

Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.

IN
ICICI Bank
ICICI Rubyx
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
Premium
Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered Ultimate
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict

ICICI Rubyx wins 5-3. Step up from Coral — adds dual-network and milestone rewards. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..

Side-by-side

CriterionICICI RubyxStandard Chartered Ultimate
Annual fee
₹2,000
·
₹5,000
Joining fee
₹3,000
·
₹5,000
Top reward rate
·
1% (general)
3.3% (general)
Base reward rate
·
1%
3.3%
Forex markup
=
3.5%
=
3.5%
Welcome bonus
=
5,000 PAYBACK points + Tata CLiQ voucher
=
6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher
Fee waiver threshold
₹350,000 / yr
·
₹1,500,000 / yr
Min income
₹600,000
·
₹1,500,000
Min credit score
760
·
780
Editorial rating
·
4/5
4.4/5

Benefits compared

ICICI Rubyx

  • Dual-network (Visa + Amex one card)
  • 4 international + 6 domestic lounge visits/year
  • 15% off Culinary Treats
  • 25% off movie tickets
  • Comprehensive insurance

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

ICICI Rubyx vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?

ICICI Rubyx wins on more dimensions (5 vs 3). 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 ICICI Rubyx 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?

ICICI Rubyx: 5,000 PAYBACK points + Tata CLiQ voucher. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.