Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spending, both the Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card ⓘ and the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ offer the same base reward rate of 1%, but the Tata Neu Plus has better category bonuses for grocery and UPI spends.
  • For travel and lounge access, the Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite clearly wins with unlimited domestic lounge access and 6 international lounge visits per year, plus golf access, while Tata Neu Plus offers limited domestic lounge access and no international lounge benefits.
  • The Standard Chartered card is cheaper to hold with no joining or annual fees, whereas the Tata Neu Plus card charges Rs 499 for joining and annual fees, though this fee is waived on Rs 1 lakh annual spend.
  • Choose the Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite ⓘ if you want premium travel perks and lifetime free usage; the Tata Neu Plus HDFC ⓘ suits first-time card users focused on shopping, groceries, and UPI payments who are willing to meet the spend threshold to waive fees.

Side by Side

DetailStandard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card ⓘTata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ
Annual feeNil (lifetime free)Rs 499
Joining feeNil (lifetime free)Rs 499
Fee waiver on spendRs 1.00 lakh annually
Reward rate1% base1% base
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic loungeUnlimited4 per year (Rs 50,000 quarterly spend gate)
International lounge6 per yearNone
Forex markup2%3.5%
Best suited forpremium, lounge, travel, lifetime-free, shoppingupi-rupay, shopping, first-card, grocery, lounge

Rewards Compared

The Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card ⓘ delivers Rs 100 in rewards on Rs 10,000 spent at its base rate of 1%. It boosts this to Rs 200 for online and travel categories, making it rewarding for premium travelers and online shoppers. The reward is in points, which can be redeemed as per the card’s scheme.

Similarly, the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ also offers Rs 100 per Rs 10,000 at the base 1% rate. It matches the Standard Chartered card with 2% rewards on online spends but extends this rate to grocery as well, which is a strong plus for everyday household spending. Additionally, it gives 1% rewards on UPI transactions, which the Standard Chartered card does not explicitly cover.

Fees Compared

The Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite card is completely free to join and hold for a lifetime, making it very attractive for those who dislike fee burdens.

The Tata Neu Plus HDFC card charges Rs 499 as both joining and annual fees. However, these fees are waived if the holder spends Rs 1 lakh annually on the card, which breaks down to about Rs 8,333 per month. The cardholder needs to spend roughly Rs 49,900 at the base reward rate just to earn enough rewards to cover the fee cost, which is a consideration for lower spenders.

Which One Should You Pick

The Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card ⓘ is perfect for premium customers who want a lifetime-free card with excellent lounge access, travel perks, and no fees. It suits those who spend online and travel frequently, and who value unlimited domestic lounges and a few international lounge visits per year. It is not ideal for those primarily wanting grocery rewards or who want a card with no income or relationship requirements beyond Priority Banking.

The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ fits first-time credit card users and those focused on grocery and UPI spends. Its rewards on groceries and UPI payments can make it a strong everyday use card, provided users meet the Rs 1 lakh annual fee waiver threshold. It is less suitable for frequent travelers or those seeking premium lounge access, as its international lounge benefits are absent and domestic lounges limited.

In a final call, the Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite card wins for travel and lounge benefits and cost efficiency. The Tata Neu Plus HDFC card is better for everyday shopping and grocery rewards if you are ready to meet the fee waiver spend.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Be sure of the fee waiver condition on the Tata Neu Plus card: Rs 1 lakh annual spend is needed to avoid fees.
  • Confirm the redemption value and options for points on both cards to ensure rewards suit your lifestyle.
  • Check the quarterly spend gate of Rs 50,000 for domestic lounge access on the Tata Neu Plus card to avoid surprises.
  • Consider the higher forex markup of 3.5% on Tata Neu Plus versus 2% on Standard Chartered if you travel abroad often.
  • Verify the lounge access locations and gates to ensure convenience for your typical travel routes.

FAQ

What is the forex markup on these cards?+
The Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite Credit Card ⓘ carries a 2% forex markup on foreign currency spends, while the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ has a higher forex markup of 3.5%, making Standard Chartered more cost-effective for international transactions.
Can I get lounge access with both cards?+
Yes, the Standard Chartered card offers unlimited domestic lounge access and 6 international lounge visits annually. The Tata Neu Plus card provides only 4 domestic lounge visits per year, and no international lounge access, subject to Rs 50,000 quarterly spend.
Is there a joining fee for these cards?+
The Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite card has no joining fee and is lifetime free. The Tata Neu Plus card has a Rs 499 joining fee, which is also the annual fee, both waived on Rs 1 lakh annual spend.
Which card is better for grocery shopping?+
The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Card ⓘ offers 2% rewards on grocery spends, whereas the Standard Chartered card does not offer an enhanced rate for groceries, making Tata Neu Plus better for grocery shopping.
Are the rewards earned on UPI transactions different?+
Yes, the Tata Neu Plus card gives 1% rewards on UPI payments, while the Standard Chartered card does not specify any category rate for UPI transactions.