Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI ELITE vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
SBI Card
SBI ELITE
Wins 6 of 10
IN
Premium
Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered Ultimate
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
SBI ELITE wins 6-2. Mid-premium SBI card with strong club benefits. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI ELITE | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹4,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹4,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 2% (general) | 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹1,000,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹600,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.4/5 | = 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI ELITE
- 2 reward points per ₹100
- Free movie tickets (BookMyShow) up to ₹6K/year
- 6 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver + Trident Privilege Red
- Milestone benefits at ₹3L, ₹4L, ₹5L
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
›SBI ELITE vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
SBI ELITE 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 SBI ELITE 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?
SBI ELITE: 5,000 bonus reward points + ₹5,000 e-gift voucher. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.