Standard Chartered Ultimate vs HDFC Bank Infinia Metal
Side-by-side for the example profile – edit spend and travel needs to make it yours.
Ultimate vs Infinia Metal (Sept 2026): for the standard ₹32k/month profile HDFC Bank Infinia Metal wins on score (52/100, ₹4,460 recurring net savings a year) vs Ultimate 48/100 (₹2,947). Cheapest to hold: Ultimate (₹5,900 incl. GST). Edit the spend on this page to re-score for yours.
Recommendation for Typical Indian cardholder (₹32k/month)
Standard Chartered Ultimate scores highest (48/100) with ₹2,947 recurring net savings a year. HDFC Bank Infinia Metal saves more in pure rupees (₹4,460) but scores lower on redemption, lifestyle or fee safety.
Edit your spend and travel needs above – scores, savings and this verdict update instantly.
Standard profile
Scored for Typical Indian cardholder · ₹32k/monthBills paid in full · first-year offers shown separately · set up your profile to score cards for your own spend
| Card | ||
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Personal score | 48/100 | 52/100 BEST |
| Recurring net savings | ₹2,947/yr | ₹4,460/yr BEST |
| Effective savings rate | 0.9% | 1.4% BEST |
| Annual fee incl. GST | You pay ₹5,900 BEST | You pay ₹14,750 |
| Usable lounge visits | ✈∞ dom you can use 2 | ✈∞ dom🌏∞ intl you can use 2 |
| Why it fits | ✓ Base rate 3.3% on other spends earns you about ₹8,007 a year on… | ✓ Base rate 2.83% on other spends earns you about ₹5,644 a year on… |
| Main drawback | ! You pay the ₹5,900 annual fee (incl. GST) – waiver needs a fee-based… | ! You pay the ₹14,750 annual fee (incl. GST) – waiver needs ₹10,00,000… |
| How the net figure adds up | ||
| + Reward value on your spend | ₹8,487 at ₹1/SC Reward Points BEST | ₹8,225 at ₹0.85/Reward Points |
| + Milestone bonuses you reach | none | none |
| + Fuel surcharge waiver | ₹360 | ₹360 |
| + Lifestyle benefits you asked for | none matched | none matched |
| + Renewal bonus (only when the fee is charged) | — | ₹10,625 BEST |
| − Annual fee incl. 18% GST | −₹5,900 BEST | −₹14,750 |
| − Forex markup on international spend | none | none |
| = Recurring net savings | ₹2,947/yr | ₹4,460/yr BEST |
| ÷ Card spend counted | ₹3,26,640 UPI-only rupees excluded on non-RuPay cards | ₹3,26,640 UPI-only rupees excluded on non-RuPay cards |
| = Effective savings rate | 0.9% | 1.4% BEST |
| Rewards on your spend | ||
| Groceries & quick-commerce (₹72,000/yr) | ₹1,426 2.0% BEST | ₹1,223 1.7% |
| Dining & food delivery (₹48,000/yr) | ₹1,394 2.9% BEST | ₹1,195 2.5% |
| Online shopping (₹72,000/yr) | ₹2,376 3.3% BEST | ₹2,038 2.8% |
| Fuel (₹36,000/yr) | ₹0 0.0% | ₹0 0.0% |
| Cabs & commute (₹18,000/yr) | ₹356 2.0% BEST | ₹306 1.7% |
| Bills & utilities (₹30,000/yr) | ₹300 1.0% | ₹849 2.8% BEST |
| Flights (₹24,000/yr) | ₹792 3.3% BEST | ₹679 2.8% |
| Hotels (₹12,000/yr) | ₹396 3.3% BEST | ₹340 2.8% |
| Movies & OTT (₹9,600/yr) | ₹317 3.3% BEST | ₹272 2.8% |
| Insurance premiums (₹18,000/yr) | ₹180 1.0% | ₹509 2.8% BEST |
| Everything else (₹48,000/yr) | ₹950 2.0% BEST | ₹815 1.7% |
| Base earn rate | 3.3% BEST | 2.83% |
| Accelerated categories | 1 rule
| 4 rules
|
| Excluded categories | fuel, rent | fuel, rent |
| Caps hit for your spend | None | None |
| Milestones | None | None |
| UPI rewards (RuPay) | Not UPI-enabled | Not UPI-enabled |
| Fees & first year | ||
| Joining fee | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹12,500 + GST |
| Fee waiver | Never | On ₹10,00,000 annual spend |
| Renewal benefit | None | 12,500 RP on renewal fee payment (only when fee is charged) |
| Welcome benefit (first year only) | 6,000 points on fee payment ≈ ₹6,000 | 12,500 RP on joining-fee payment ≈ ₹10,625 |
| First-year value (separate) | ₹8,947 BEST | ₹4,460 |
| Travel | ||
| Domestic lounge entitlement | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| International lounge entitlement | None | Unlimited |
| Lounge condition | None | None |
| Forex markup | 2% | 2% |
| Redemption & simplicity | ||
| Reward currency | SC Reward Points · ₹1/unit | Reward Points · ₹0.85/unit |
| How to redeem | Details1 point = ₹1 on 360° Rewards catalogue and vouchers. | Details1 RP = ₹1 on SmartBuy flights/hotels (capped 1.5L RP/month); ₹0.5 on vouchers; ₹0.3 statement credit. We use ₹0.85 as a realistic blend. |
| Redemption flexibility | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
| Simplicity | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Lifestyle | ||
| Benefits you asked for | fuel waiver | fuel waiver |
| All lifestyle perks | fuel waiver, golf, concierge, insurance cover | golf, concierge, hotel status, fuel waiver, insurance cover |
| Eligibility | Income ₹24L+/yr | Invite-only in practice; income ₹25L+/yr or ₹3L+/month salary. From Apr 2026 HDFC expects ₹18L annual spend or a ₹50L relationship to retain the card |
| Score breakdown | ||
| Net savings rate | 18/100 × 55% = 10.1 | 28/100 × 55% = 15.2 |
| Usable lounge access | 100/100 × 15% = 15.0 | 100/100 × 15% = 15.0 |
| Redemption flexibility | 80/100 × 10% = 8.0 | 80/100 × 10% = 8.0 |
| Lifestyle fit | 100/100 × 10% = 10.0 | 100/100 × 10% = 10.0 |
| Simplicity | 60/100 × 5% = 3.0 | 60/100 × 5% = 3.0 |
| Fee safety | 45/100 × 5% = 2.3 | 20/100 × 5% = 1.0 |
| Sources | ||
| Official source | Standard Chartered – Ultimate product page | HDFC Bank – Infinia Metal product page |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-12 | 2026-09-19 |
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: Ultimate or Infinia Metal?
For the example profile, HDFC Bank Infinia Metal scores highest (52/100, ₹4,460 recurring net savings). The answer changes with your spend mix, lounge needs and fee comfort – edit the profile on this page.
Which has the lower annual fee?
Ultimate: ₹5,900 incl. GST; Infinia Metal: ₹14,750 incl. GST.