Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI Prime vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
SBI Prime
Wins 6 of 10
IN
Premium
Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered Ultimate
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
SBI Prime wins 6-2. Step up from SimplyClick with lounge access. Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Prime | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹2,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹2,999 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.25% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = ₹3,000 e-gift voucher (Aditya Birla / Bata / Pantaloons / Yatra) | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹300,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹480,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Prime
- 10x reward points on dining + grocery + departmental + movies
- 5x on utility bill payments
- 8 domestic + 4 international lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver + Trident Privilege Red
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 Prime vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
SBI Prime 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 Prime 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 Prime: ₹3,000 e-gift voucher (Aditya Birla / Bata / Pantaloons / Yatra). Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.