Introduction
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card is designed for discerning customers who seek a combination of luxury, convenience, and comprehensive benefits. This premium credit card offers a host of features tailored to enhance your lifestyle, whether through travel perks, rewards on daily spending, or exclusive access to elite services. With its attractive rewards program, significant cashback opportunities, and a focus on providing a seamless user experience, the Ultimate Metal Credit Card stands out in the competitive landscape of high-end credit cards.
Joining Benefits of Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card
- Welcome Benefit:
- 6,000 reward points upon payment of the joining fee.
- Reward Points:
- Earn 5 reward points for every โน150 spent on all categories.
- Milestone Benefits:
- Earn 5,000 reward points on reaching annual spends of โน3 lakhs.
- Airport Lounge Access:
- Unlimited complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges.
- Dining Privileges:
- Up to 25% off at select premium restaurants through Standard Charteredโs Good Life program.
- Luxury Hotel Benefits:
- Special discounts and offers at leading luxury hotels worldwide.
- Golf Privileges:
- Complimentary golf games and lessons at select golf courses.
- Travel Benefits:
- Exclusive travel deals and offers on flights, hotels, and holiday packages.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver:
- 1% waiver on fuel surcharge at all petrol pumps across India.
- Annual Fee Waiver:
- Annual fee waived on spending โน6 lakhs in a year.
- Comprehensive Insurance:
- Complimentary travel insurance including medical cover, lost baggage cover, and personal accident insurance.
- Concierge Services:
- 24/7 global concierge service for travel, dining, and entertainment arrangements.
- Interest-Free Period:
- Up to 50 days of interest-free credit.
- Zero Liability Protection:
- Protection against fraudulent transactions if the card is reported lost or stolen.
Card Features and Benefits
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card offers an array of features and benefits designed to cater to the needs of premium cardholders. These include:
- Reward Points: Earn 5 reward points for every INR 150 spent. With 1 reward point equating to INR 1, this translates into substantial savings.
- Cashback: Enjoy 5% cashback on duty-free purchases, enhancing your travel experience with savings on airport shopping.
- Travel Benefits: Access over 1000 airport lounges worldwide, providing comfort and convenience during your travels.
- Foreign Currency Markup: Benefit from a reduced foreign currency markup fee of 2%, making your international transactions more affordable.
- Golf Access: Complimentary access to premier golf courses across the country, adding an element of luxury to your leisure activities.
- Contactless Payment: Facilitates easy and secure contactless payments, providing convenience for everyday transactions.
- Supplementary Cards: Extend the benefits to family members with lifetime free supplementary credit cards.
- Digital Payment Solutions: Wide range of instant payment solutions, including BharatQR, Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), and Samsung Pay.
User Experience
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card is designed to offer a seamless and premium user experience. Key aspects include:
- Application Process: The application process for the Ultimate Metal Credit Card is straightforward and can be completed online or at a Standard Chartered branch. Applicants need to meet certain income and credit score requirements, and the approval process is typically quick for eligible candidates.
- Card Design: The card features a sleek metal design, which not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also conveys a sense of exclusivity and prestige.
- Rewards Redemption: Redeeming rewards points is easy and flexible. Points can be redeemed for a variety of options, including travel bookings, gift vouchers, and statement credits, all through an intuitive online portal.
- Customer Service: Standard Chartered provides dedicated customer service for Ultimate Metal Credit Card holders, ensuring prompt and personalized assistance. Cardholders can reach customer service via phone, email, or the bankโs mobile app.
- Mobile App: The Standard Chartered mobile app enhances the user experience by allowing cardholders to manage their accounts on the go. Features include viewing transactions, making payments, redeeming rewards, and accessing exclusive offers.
- Security: The card incorporates advanced security features, including EMV chip technology and contactless payment options. Additionally, the bank employs robust fraud detection mechanisms and provides timely alerts for any suspicious activity.
- Convenience: The cardโs contactless payment feature, along with the ability to use it for both online and in-store purchases, offers significant convenience. The global acceptance of the card ensures that users can rely on it wherever they travel.
| ๏ปฟPointer | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Card | Premium Credit Card |
| Annual Fee | INR 5,000 |
| Joining Fee | INR 5,000 |
| Reward Rate | 5 points per INR 150 spent (1 point = INR 1) |
| Renewal Rate | INR 5,000 |
Additional Perks and Benefits
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card goes beyond standard features to offer a range of exclusive perks and benefits tailored to enhance the lifestyle of its premium users:
- Travel Insurance: Cardholders receive complimentary travel insurance coverage, including trip cancellation, lost luggage, and medical emergencies, providing peace of mind while traveling.
- Concierge Services: Access to a 24/7 concierge service that can assist with travel bookings, dining reservations, event tickets, and more, ensuring personalized service for all your needs.
- Dining Privileges: Enjoy exclusive dining offers and discounts at selected high-end restaurants, making dining out a more rewarding experience.
- Entertainment Offers: Cardholders can avail of special deals on entertainment, including movie tickets, event passes, and concerts, adding more value to leisure spending.
- Health and Wellness Benefits: Complimentary access to premium health and wellness facilities, including fitness centers and spas, promoting a balanced lifestyle.
- Shopping Benefits: Receive special offers and discounts at luxury retail stores and online shopping portals, making every shopping spree more enjoyable.
- Golf Privileges: In addition to complimentary access to premier golf courses, cardholders can benefit from exclusive golf event invitations and discounts on golf equipment and apparel.
- Annual Fee Waiver: The card offers an annual fee waiver on spending a certain amount annually, making it more cost-effective for high spenders.
Pricing and Plans
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card comes with a clear and structured pricing plan, ensuring transparency for potential cardholders. Below are the key fees and charges associated with the card:
- Joining Fees: The card has an initial joining fee of INR 5,000, which is a one-time charge upon approval and issuance of the card. This fee is offset by the substantial benefits and rewards offered by the card.
- Renewal Fees: An annual renewal fee of INR 5,000 is applicable, ensuring that cardholders continue to enjoy the extensive features and benefits year after year.
- Supplementary Card Fees: There are no joining or renewal fees for supplementary cards, allowing cardholders to extend the benefits of the Ultimate Metal Credit Card to family members without additional cost.
- Foreign Currency Markup: The card offers a reduced foreign currency markup fee of 2% on all foreign currency transactions, making it cost-effective for international spending.
- Interest Rates: The card charges competitive interest rates on revolving credit and cash advances, which vary based on the cardholder's creditworthiness and spending behavior.
- Late Payment Fees: Standard Chartered charges late payment fees if the minimum payment is not made by the due date. The exact fee is detailed in the cardโs terms and conditions.
- Cash Advance Fees: A fee is charged for cash advances, typically a percentage of the amount withdrawn, subject to a minimum charge.
- Over-limit Fees: If cardholders exceed their credit limit, an over-limit fee is applied. This fee is designed to encourage responsible spending within the credit limit.
Comparative Analysis
To provide a clear comparison of the Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card with other premium credit cards available in the Indian market, we have compiled the following table. This comparison focuses on key features, benefits, and costs associated with each card.
| ๏ปฟFeature/Benefit | Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card | HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card | American Express Platinum Card | SBI Elite Credit Card | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joining Fees | INR 5,000 | INR 10,000 | INR 7,000 | INR 4,999 | INR 6,500 |
| Renewal Fees | INR 5,000 | INR 10,000 | INR 7,000 | INR 4,999 | INR 3,500 |
| Reward Points | 5 points/INR 150 | 10 points/INR 150 | 1 point/INR 50 | 2 points/INR 100 | 2 points/INR 100 |
| Reward Point Value | 1 point = INR 1 | 1 point = INR 0.50 | 1 point = INR 0.50 | 1 point = INR 0.25 | 1 point = INR 0.25 |
| Cashback on Duty-Free Spends | 5% | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 2% | 2% | 3.50% | 3.50% | 3.50% |
| Airport Lounge Access | 1,000+ lounges worldwide | 700+ lounges worldwide | 1,200+ lounges worldwide | 900+ lounges worldwide | 600+ lounges worldwide |
| Golf Access | Complimentary access to premier courses | Complimentary rounds per quarter | 4 rounds per year | 4 rounds per year | NA |
| Travel Insurance | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary | Complimentary |
| Concierge Services | 24/7 Concierge | 24/7 Concierge | 24/7 Concierge | 24/7 Concierge | 24/7 Concierge |
| Dining Privileges | Exclusive dining offers | Exclusive dining offers | Exclusive dining offers | Exclusive dining offers | Exclusive dining offers |
| Supplementary Card Fees | Nil | Nil | INR 7,500 | Nil | Nil |
| Interest Rate on Revolving Credit | Competitive rates | Competitive rates | Competitive rates | Competitive rates | Competitive rates |
| Late Payment Fees | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |
| Over-limit Fees | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |
| Cash Advance Fees | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable | Applicable |
Pros and Cons
Here is a detailed analysis of the pros and cons of the Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card:
Pros
- High Reward Points Value: Earn 5 reward points per INR 150 spent, with each reward point equivalent to INR 1, making it highly rewarding for frequent spenders.
- Generous Cashback: Enjoy 5% cashback on duty-free spends, which is particularly beneficial for international travelers.
- Travel Benefits: Access to over 1000 airport lounges worldwide and complimentary travel insurance provide a premium travel experience.
- Reduced Foreign Currency Markup: The 2% foreign currency markup fee is lower than many competitors, making this card ideal for international transactions.
- Golf Privileges: Complimentary access to premier golf courses adds significant value for golf enthusiasts.
- Concierge Services: 24/7 concierge service assists with travel bookings, dining reservations, and more, offering convenience and personalized service.
- Supplementary Cards: Free supplementary cards allow family members to enjoy the benefits without additional costs.
- Contactless Payment: Facilitates secure and convenient transactions with contactless payment technology.
- Comprehensive Insurance Coverage: Includes various travel insurance benefits, enhancing safety and peace of mind during travel.
Cons
- High Annual Fees: The INR 5,000 joining and renewal fees might be considered steep compared to some other premium cards.
- Limited Cashback Categories: While the duty-free cashback is beneficial, cashback is not offered broadly across other spending categories.
- Eligibility Requirements: The card has stringent eligibility criteria, including high income requirements and a strong credit score, which might exclude potential applicants.
- Interest Rates and Fees: Like most credit cards, the interest rates on revolving credit and cash advances can be high if balances are not paid in full each month.
- Over-limit and Late Payment Fees: Fees for exceeding the credit limit and late payments can add up, necessitating careful management of the account.
- No Waiver of Forex Markup on All Transactions: Despite the reduced foreign currency markup, there is no waiver, which some other premium cards might offer occasionally.
Conclusion and Overall Rating
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card is a standout option in the premium credit card segment, offering a blend of luxury, rewards, and travel benefits. With its high reward points value and generous cashback on duty-free purchases, the card is particularly attractive to frequent travelers and high spenders. The comprehensive travel insurance, access to over 1000 airport lounges worldwide, and reduced foreign currency markup fee enhance its appeal for international use. Additionally, the 24/7 concierge service and complimentary access to premier golf courses further add to the cardโs prestige and value.
However, the cardโs high joining and renewal fees, along with stringent eligibility requirements, might be a barrier for some potential users. Despite this, the extensive benefits and rewards can justify the costs for those who can fully leverage them.
The Standard Chartered Ultimate Metal Credit Card is highly recommended for individuals seeking a premium credit card with substantial travel perks, high reward value, and exclusive lifestyle benefits. Its features make it a top contender in the high-end credit card market, particularly for those who travel frequently and have significant spending power.
