One of the most expensive cards on the market is the Axis Primus Credit Card, featuring an annual fee of ₹3 lakh and a joining fee of ₹5 lakh. Other high-end cards include HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal, Axis Burgundy Private, Axis Reserve, Kotak Solitaire, and HSBC Premier Mastercard.
As reported by Paisabazaar, a digital loan and credit card platform in India, super-premium credit cards are primarily aimed at affluent clients and are often provided to those who maintain elite banking relationships.
“Super-premium credit cards are generally available by invitation only and are granted solely to individuals who sustain a premium banking relationship with the issuing banks. In addition to enhanced rewards and greater value-back, these cards offer luxurious travel and lifestyle benefits—including airport transfers, premium hotel memberships, golf privileges, and 24/7 concierge services,” explained Santosh Aggarwal, CEO of Paisabazaar.
The variations among these cards not only lie in their annual fees but also in the unique benefits they offer, such as travel rewards, airport amenities, hotel memberships, and concierge assistance.
Hotel and travel perks take top priority
Numerous super-premium credit cards provide exclusive memberships and benefits with hotel chains like Marriott, Accor, Taj, and ITC Hotels, along with complimentary access to airport lounges and golf privileges.
A recent report from Marriott Bonvoy indicated that 77% of Indian travelers engage in hotel loyalty programs, significantly outweighing the Asia-Pacific average of 66%.
“Co-branded credit card programs serve as a strong tool for enhancing guest loyalty and encouraging repeat visits. These partnerships broaden the loyalty program’s reach beyond hotel stays, enabling members to earn points on regular purchases,” stated KB Kachru, Chairman, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group, during a prior discussion with CNBC-TV18.
Arjun Baljee, Founder of Iconiqa and President of Royal Orchid Hotels, noted that such collaborations help hotels remain “top of wallet,” allowing consumers to accumulate rewards through their everyday expenditures.
An overview of super-premium credit cardsAxis Primus Credit Card (₹3 lakh annual fee; ₹5 lakh joining fee)
This card is tailored for luxury travel, featuring unlimited access to both domestic and international lounges, airport transfers in India and abroad, companion airfare benefits on selected 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 provides accelerated rewards, including on rent and insurance payments, with unlimited lounge access, memberships in Marriott, Accor, and Taj hotel programs, airport transfer discounts, golf perks, and concierge services.
Axis Reserve Credit Card (₹50,000 annual fee)
This card includes 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)
It offers unlimited international lounge access, airport meet-and-greet services, accelerated rewards on trips booked via the bank’s travel platform, and a selection of travel and hospitality vouchers as welcome gifts.
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 for paying the annual fee.
Kotak Solitaire Credit Card (₹25,000 annual fee; waived for Solitaire customers)
The card allows users to earn air miles on travel and other expenses, provides unlimited lounge access, guest visits, and hotel privileges via 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 fee of 0.99%, and hospitality and travel advantages through Mastercard’s global network.
HDFC Infinia Credit Card (₹12,500 annual fee)
This invite-only card delivers accelerated rewards on travel and shopping through the bank’s platform, unlimited lounge access, Club Marriott membership, golf perks, and concierge services.
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card (₹12,499 annual fee)
This card features unlimited lounge access, membership in Taj Epicure, travel cancellation coverage, accelerated rewards on travel bookings, golf privileges, and concierge services.
Which card may be right for whom?
The value of a super-premium card ultimately hinges on how often a cardholder utilizes features like airport lounges, hotel memberships, golf benefits, travel rewards, and concierge services.
Therefore, consumers may find it advantageous to compare cards based on their spending habits and the perks they are most likely to utilize.
