Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spend, especially outside travel and dining categories, both cards offer the same base reward of 1 percent, but Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ edges ahead with stronger category rewards on online and dining spends.
  • For travel rewards and lounge access, 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ wins with 5 percent rewards on travel and eight domestic lounge visits annually.
  • The Standard Chartered card is cheaper to hold with no joining fee and a lower annual fee that can be waived with Rs 1,00,000 annual spend.
  • Choose the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank card if you are a frequent IndiGo flyer or want more lounge visits; pick Standard Chartered Rewards card if you prefer better rewards on online and dining spends and want a lower fee structure.

Side by Side

Detail6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit CardⓘStandard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ
Annual feeRs 1,500Rs 1,000
Joining feeRs 1,500Nil (lifetime free)
Fee waiver on spendNoneRs 1.00 lakh annually (Rs 8,333 monthly)
Reward rate1% base, 5% travel, 2.5% dining, 2.5% grocery1% base, 4% online, 4% dining
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic lounge8 per year4 per year
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited fortravel, lounge, rewards, fuelrewards, dining, first-card, shopping, lounge

Rewards Compared

Spending Rs 10,000 on the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ at the base rate earns Rs 100 worth of reward points. This card shines with 5 percent (Rs 500) back on travel, and 2.5 percent (Rs 250) on dining and grocery categories, rewarding frequent flyers and lifestyle spenders generously. The welcome benefit of a complimentary flight ticket worth Rs 3,000 and 6E Prime Add-On adds further value to travel enthusiasts.

The Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ also gives Rs 100 per Rs 10,000 spent at its base 1 percent rate. It offers a stronger 4 percent return (Rs 400) on online and dining spends, making it attractive for digital shoppers and food lovers. Its rewards focus is more on everyday lifestyle categories than travel, with a welcome bonus of 5,000 reward points on first spends.

Fees Compared

The 6E Rewards XL IndiGo card demands a Rs 1,500 joining fee and Rs 1,500 annual fee with no waiver on spend. To cover this fee at the base reward rate of 1 percent requires Rs 1,50,000 spend annually. Standard Chartered’s Rewards card has no joining fee and a lower Rs 1,000 annual fee that is waived with Rs 1,00,000 annual spend (about Rs 8,333 per month). This waiver makes the Standard Chartered card more cost-effective for regular users who can meet the spend threshold. Both cards charge a 3.5 percent forex markup, standard for Indian credit cards.

Which One Should You Pick

Pick the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ if you are a frequent IndiGo flyer or traveler who values domestic lounge access and wants higher rewards on travel-related spends. The complimentary flight ticket and 6E Prime Add-On are unique perks suited for loyal customers of IndiGo. However, if you do not spend enough to justify the Rs 1,500 joining and annual fees, this card may not be cost-effective.

Choose the Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ if you want a no-joining-fee card with decent rewards on online and dining spends and a lower annual fee that can be waived easily. It is a good option for first-time credit card users or those who prefer lifestyle rewards over airline-specific perks. Skip this card if you want extensive lounge access or travel benefits.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Confirm the exact caps on lounge visits and quarterly spend gates to avoid surprises.
  • Check the redemption value and ease of converting points to rewards or flight tickets.
  • Understand the fee waiver math carefully, including monthly spend requirements.
  • Beware of the 3.5 percent forex markup cost on foreign currency spends.
  • Verify which lounges are accessible domestically and ensure they align with your travel routes.

FAQ

What is the forex markup fee for both cards?+
Both the 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ and Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ charge a 3.5 percent forex markup on foreign currency transactions.
Is there any joining fee for these cards?+
The 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ has a joining fee of Rs 1,500, whereas the Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ is lifetime free with no joining fee.
How many domestic lounge visits do these cards offer?+
The 6E Rewards XL IndiGo cardⓘ offers 8 domestic lounge visits per year, while the Standard Chartered Rewards cardⓘ provides 4 per year with a quarterly spend gate.
Can the annual fee be waived on both cards?+
Only the Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Cardⓘ offers a fee waiver on spending Rs 1,00,000 annually. The 6E Rewards XL IndiGo cardⓘ does not have a fee waiver.
Which card is better for travel rewards?+
The 6E Rewards XL IndiGo HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ is better for travel rewards, offering 5 percent returns on travel spend and more domestic lounge visits.