One of the most expensive cards available is the Axis Primus Credit Card, which has an annual fee of ₹3 lakh and a joining fee of ₹5 lakh. Other luxurious options include HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal, Axis Burgundy Private, Axis Reserve, Kotak Solitaire, and HSBC Premier Mastercard.
As per Paisabazaar, an Indian digital loan and credit card platform, super-premium credit cards are typically designed for affluent individuals and are often extended to customers with premium banking relationships.
“Super-premium credit cards are primarily invite-only and are offered exclusively to those who maintain a premium banking relationship with the issuing banks. Aside from enhanced rewards and greater value returns, these cards provide luxurious travel and lifestyle amenities, such as airport transfers, elite hotel memberships, golf privileges, priority concierge services, and more,” stated Santosh Aggarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar.
The cards vary not only in their annual fees but also in the benefits they emphasize, which can include travel rewards, airport privileges, hotel memberships, and concierge services.
Emphasis on Hotel and Travel Benefits
Numerous super-premium cards deliver memberships and benefits across hotel chains like Marriott, Accor, Taj, and ITC Hotels, as well as complimentary airport lounge access and golf privileges.
A recent Marriott Bonvoy report indicated that 77% of Indian travelers engage in hotel loyalty programs, compared to the Asia-Pacific average of 66%.
“Co-branded credit card partnerships serve as an essential tool for enhancing guest loyalty and promoting repeat stays. These collaborations extend loyalty programs beyond hotel stays, allowing members to earn points on everyday purchases,” remarked KB Kachru, Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, in a prior discussion with CNBC-TV18.
Arjun Baljee, Founder of Iconiqa and President of Royal Orchid Hotels, noted that such partnerships enable hotels to remain “top of wallet” by allowing customers to earn rewards through daily spending.
Overview of Super-Premium Credit CardsAxis Primus Credit Card (₹3 lakh annual fee; ₹5 lakh joining fee)
This card emphasizes luxury travel benefits, featuring unlimited domestic and international lounge access, airport transfers in India and abroad, companion airfare benefits with partner airlines, privileges at over 900 luxury hotels globally, golf benefits, and 24/7 concierge services.
Axis Burgundy Private Credit Card (₹50,000 annual fee; waived for Burgundy Private customers)
This card presents accelerated rewards, including on rent and insurance payments, unlimited lounge access, memberships across Marriott, Accor, and Taj hotel programs, discounts on airport transfers, golf benefits, and concierge services.
Axis Reserve Credit Card (₹50,000 annual fee)
This card features unlimited lounge access, hotel memberships, accelerated rewards on both domestic and international spending, golf privileges, concierge services, and global travel and medical assistance benefits.
Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card (₹30,000 annual fee)
The card provides unlimited international lounge access, airport meet-and-greet services, accelerated rewards on bookings made via the bank’s travel portal, and a selection of travel and hospitality vouchers as welcome benefits.
IDFC FIRST Private Credit Card (₹50,000 annual fee)
This invite-only card includes unlimited lounge and spa access, hotel memberships, trip cancellation coverage, concierge services, and bonus reward points upon payment of the annual fee.
Kotak Solitaire Credit Card (₹25,000 annual fee; waived for Solitaire customers)
This card rewards air miles on travel and other expenses, provides unlimited lounge access, guest visits, and hotel privileges through Visa’s partner programs.
HSBC Premier Mastercard Credit Card (₹20,000 annual fee)
This card offers unlimited lounge access, travel rewards, a lower foreign exchange markup fee of 0.99%, along with hospitality and travel benefits available through Mastercard’s global network.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card (₹12,500 annual fee)
This invite-only card features accelerated rewards on travel and shopping through the bank’s platform, unlimited lounge access, a Club Marriott membership, golf privileges, and concierge services.
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card (₹12,499 annual fee)
This card combines unlimited lounge access, Taj Epicure membership, travel cancellation cover, accelerated rewards on travel bookings, golf privileges, and concierge services.
Choosing the Right Card for You
Given the significant differences in annual fees and benefits, the true value of a super-premium card ultimately hinges on how frequently the cardholder utilizes features like airport lounges, hotel memberships, golf privileges, travel rewards, and concierge services.
Consumers may find it beneficial to compare cards based on their spending habits and the features they are likely to use most.
