Standard Chartered Ultimate vs HSBC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Standard Chartered Ultimate wins 5-4. Best general earn-rate at the ₹5K fee tier. HSBC Premier is still the right call if hsbc premier banking clients — no annual fee with relationship..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Standard Chartered Ultimate | HSBC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹5,000 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹5,000 | None |
| Top reward rate | 3.3% (general) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3.3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher | = 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹1,500,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹1,500,000 | · ₹4,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 780 | · 800 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
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
HSBC Premier
- 3 reward points per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 1 reward point per ₹100 on others
- Free for HSBC Premier clients (₹40L+ relationship)
- Unlimited international lounge visits via LoungeKey
- 1.99% forex markup
- Worldwide travel + emergency assistance
FAQ
›Standard Chartered Ultimate vs HSBC Premier: which is better?
Standard Chartered Ultimate wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). 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 Standard Chartered Ultimate for its best categories, HSBC Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher. HSBC Premier: 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening.