Kotak Royale Signature vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Kotak Royale Signature wins 6-2. Mid-tier shopping/dining card with solid fee waiver economics. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak Royale Signature | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 4% (shopping) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,000 reward points worth ₹500 + Pizza Hut voucher | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹250,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹300,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 740 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak Royale Signature
- 4 reward points per ₹150 on shopping + dining
- 1 reward point per ₹150 on other spends
- 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter
- Buy-1-get-1 movie ticket at PVR (Tuesdays)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
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
›Kotak Royale Signature vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
Kotak Royale Signature wins on more dimensions (6 vs 2). 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 Kotak Royale Signature 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?
Kotak Royale Signature: 2,000 reward points worth ₹500 + Pizza Hut voucher. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.