In a world where luxury meets practicality, premium credit cards have emerged as the ultimate accessory for professionals seeking to elevate their lifestyle. Designed to cater to those with a taste for the finer things in life, these exclusive cards offer many benefits beyond just financial transactions. Let's explore the world of premium credit cards and discover why they have become a must-have for professionals with discerning tastes.
Suggested Income Range: 12 Lakhs+ & Spend Range: 6 Lakhs+
Premium credit cards are designed for those who enjoy a touch of luxury in their lifestyle. They offer a host of travel benefits, including access to both domestic and international airport lounges and a superior rewards rate, among other perks.
#1 HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Best for: Airport Lounge access & Milestone Benefits
Read Review & Apply: HDFC Regalia Gold Review
One of the standout benefits of this credit card, beyond the attractive rewards and merchant offers, is the provision of a Priority Pass for all family members. This feature is particularly valuable as it allows the primary cardholder and their family to share the complimentary lounge access limit, ensuring everyone can enjoy a comfortable and relaxed travel experience. Whether for business or leisure, having access to airport lounges can significantly enhance the overall travel experience, offering amenities such as free Wi-Fi, refreshments, and a quiet environment to unwind before a flight.
For those who are unable to qualify for HDFC's Super Premium credit cards, this card serves as an excellent alternative, especially in terms of lounge access. It provides a similar level of comfort and convenience, making it a highly attractive option for frequent travelers. The card not only bridges the gap left by the more exclusive options but also ensures that users can enjoy premium travel benefits without the stringent eligibility criteria typically associated with high-end credit cards. This accessibility makes it an appealing choice for a broader range of users seeking luxury travel perks without the higher financial requirements.
Explore: In-Depth Review
#2 Axis Bank's Atlas Credit Card
Best for: ITC & other airline transfers partners
Read Review & Apply: Axis Atlas Credit Card Review
The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card offers an impressive reward rate on everyday expenditures, along with the added perks of airport meet and greet, as well as luxury airport transfer services. The card's accelerated rewards on airline and hotel expenses are particularly beneficial for frequent travelers. It stands out as a top choice for 2024 due to its attractive reward rate, although there is a possibility of devaluation in the future.
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#3 Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card
Ideal for: Taj Hotel Vouchers & Access to premium airport lounges
Read Review & Apply: Amex Platinum Travel Review
American Express Platinum Travel Card stands out as the premier travel credit card in India, maintaining its top-tier status for nearly a decade.
Renowned for its Taj Vouchers and exclusive access to premium airport lounges, it's a traveler's best asset. My personal experience with this card has been exceptional, as it affords me the opportunity to indulge in a stay at a distinctive Taj property annually, courtesy of the complimentary Taj Vouchers included.
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#4 RBL World Safari Credit Card
Best for: 1 Yr Worldwide travel insurance, 0% Forex markup Fee
Review: RBL World Safari Credit Card Review
RBL World Safari Credit Card stands out as a valuable asset for frequent travelers, providing comprehensive one-year international travel insurance and the added benefit of no markup fees on international expenditures. This card effectively meets the needs of international travelers, eliminating the necessity for super-premium credit cards or separate forex cards.
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#5 HDFC Diners Black Metal Credit Card
Ideal for: Earn 5x rewards with the quarterly milestone benefit.
The upgraded Diners Black card distinguishes itself from its predecessor, the PVC version, with a metal form factor, increased SmartBuy limits, and an added quarterly milestone benefit, catering well to frequent high spenders. However, a notable drawback is the relatively limited acceptance of Diners cards in India when compared to Visa or MasterCard, necessitating the need for an alternative payment card as a backup.
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#6 ICICI Emeralde Private Credit Card
Best for: Welcome benefit & decent ongoing rewards
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a super premium credit card that offers several benefits, including a 3% overall reward rate on all spends, unlimited domestic and international lounge access, and a Taj Epicure membership with a one-night stay. The card is currently available as an upgrade option for existing Sapphiro/Emeralde credit card holders with higher credit limits.
Key Features:
Reward Rate: 3% on all spends, with capping limits for specific categories like insurance, utilities, and education.
Joining and Annual Fees: Rs. 12,499 + GST, with a waiver condition of spending Rs. 10 lakhs in the next card membership year.
Milestone Rewards: Spend Rs. 4 lakhs to receive a 3,000 INR EaseMyTrip voucher and Rs. 8 lakhs to receive another 3,000 INR EaseMyTrip voucher.
Redemption: Reward points can be redeemed for flight and hotel bookings, gift vouchers, and statement credit, with a 1:1 redemption ratio for certain brands.
Airport Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary cardholder and up to three add-on card members.
Taj Epicure Membership: Includes a one-night stay as a joining benefit.
Comparison with Emeralde:
Reward Rate: Emeralde Private Metal has a higher default reward rate of 3% compared to the Emeralde card's 1%.
Joining and Renewal Points: Emeralde Private Metal offers equivalent reward points for both joining and renewal fees, whereas Emeralde does not offer renewal points.
Milestone Benefits: Emeralde Private Metal has a milestone benefit of Rs. 3,000 EaseMyTrip vouchers for 4L and 8L spending, whereas Emeralde does not have this feature.
Eligibility:
Upgrade Eligibility: The card is available as an upgrade for current Sapphiro/Emeralde credit card holders who have higher credit limits.
Income Criteria: Reports indicate that individuals with a monthly take-home salary exceeding Rs. 3 lakhs may be eligible for the upgrade.
Additional Benefits:
Gift Vouchers: Brands such as US Polo and Allen Solly provide 1:1 redemption ratios for substantial redemption amounts.
BMS Offers: Cardholders can avail of a Big Movie Special (BMS) offer, which grants Rs. 750 twice a month for both movie and non-movie bookings.
Overall, the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a comprehensive set of benefits, making it a valuable option for those who can upgrade to it.
#7 Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card
Best for: rewards as shopping vouchers
Read Review: Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card Review
Yes Bank's newly launched Marquee Credit Card is a pretty good Super Premium Credit Card, especially if your spends are largely focused online as it gives you a 4.5% reward rate on online spends. This feature makes it an attractive option for those who frequently shop or make transactions online.
However, it's essential to note that Yes Bank doesn't have the ability to transfer points to international airlines or hotels. This limitation might be a drawback for those who value airmiles or loyalty programs with international partners. If you're not particularly interested in Airmiles and are looking for only vanilla rewards, the Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card can still be a great choice.
Explore: In-Depth Review
Ultimately, the best premium card depends on your spending patterns and the specific benefits that matter most to you. Comparing the annual fees and eligibility criteria can also help determine the most suitable option.
