Kotak White Reserve vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Kotak White Reserve wins 6-2. Premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3K-fee tier. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 4% (dining) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹600,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,800,000 | ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | = 780 | = 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
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 White Reserve vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
Kotak White Reserve 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 White Reserve 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 White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.