The Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card is an entry-level rewards credit card that offers a tiered earning structure based on monthly spending patterns. It is primarily targeted at regular shoppers who want to earn rewards on their daily transactions.

Key Highlights

• Zero joining fee - Get started without any upfront costs
• Accelerated rewards - Earn up to 8x reward points on retail spends
• No expiry - Reward points never expire
• Lounge access - Quarterly domestic airport lounge visits
• Fuel benefits - 1% surcharge waiver on fuel transactions

The card offers a tiered reward structure that rewards higher spending:

• Base Rate: Earn 4 reward points for every ₹150 spent on retail purchases
• Accelerated Rate: After spending ₹20,000 in a month on retail, earn an additional 4 bonus points per ₹150 (total 8x points)
• Government & Insurance: Earn 1 point per ₹150 on government and insurance payments
• Monthly Cap: Maximum 2,000 bonus reward points per month
• Point Value: Redeem at ₹0.25 per point for vouchers or ₹0.20 for statement credit

Airport Lounge Access

Enjoy complimentary access to domestic airport lounges with 1 visit allowed per calendar quarter, totaling 4 visits annually. This benefit is ideal for occasional domestic travelers.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Save on fuel costs with a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹2,000. The waiver is capped at ₹400 per month, helping you reduce fuel expenses.

Annual Fee Benefits

The ₹1,000 annual fee (second year onwards) comes with two major advantages:

• Receive 4,000 reward points upon paying the annual fee (worth ₹1,000 at best redemption rate)
• Fee is completely waived if you spend ₹1,50,000 or more in the previous anniversary year

• 4,000 Reward Points: Receive 4,000 reward points upon payment of annual fee (worth ₹1,000 at best redemption rate)
• Fee Waiver: Annual fee of ₹1,000 completely waived if you spend ₹1,50,000 or more in the previous anniversary year

Monthly Milestone Rewards

• Spending Threshold: Spend ₹20,000 or more on retail purchases in a calendar month
• Bonus Rewards: Earn additional 4 bonus reward points per ₹150 spent (total 8x points on all retail spends that month)
• Monthly Cap: Maximum 2,000 bonus reward points can be earned per month
• Calculation: If you spend ₹95,000 in a month, you earn bonus points on ₹75,000 (₹95,000 - ₹20,000 threshold) = maximum 2,000 bonus points

Tip: Plan your spending to cross the ₹20,000 monthly threshold to maximize your rewards at 8x rate instead of 4x base rate.

The Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card provides complimentary access to domestic airport lounges across India. Cardholders can enjoy 1 free lounge visit per calendar quarter, which amounts to 4 visits per year.

Lounge Access Details

• Type: Domestic airport lounges only
• Frequency: 1 visit per quarter (January-March, April-June, July-September, October-December)
• Annual Total: 4 complimentary visits per year
• Access Method: Present your Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card at participating domestic airport lounges

Note: International lounge access is not included with this card. For international travel benefits, consider upgrading to premium Standard Chartered cards like the Ultimate or Priority Visa Infinite.

The Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card uses a tiered earning structure that incentivizes higher monthly spending on retail categories.

Earning Rewards

Redeeming Rewards

Redemption Options:

• Vouchers & Products (Best Value): 1 reward point = ₹0.25
• Statement Credit: 1 reward point = ₹0.20

Redemption Process:

1. Log in to Standard Chartered Rewards Portal
2. Browse available vouchers, products, or select statement credit
3. Redeem points against your chosen option
4. No minimum redemption threshold for most options

Points Expiry

Reward points earned on this card never expire, giving you the flexibility to accumulate points and redeem when you reach your desired goal.

Value Calculation Example

If you spend ₹50,000 monthly on retail:

• First ₹20,000: 4 points per ₹150 = ~533 base points
• Remaining ₹30,000: 8 points per ₹150 = ~1,600 accelerated points (capped at 2,000)
• Total monthly rewards: ~2,133 points = ₹533 value (at ₹0.25 per point)
• Annual value: ~₹6,400 in rewards

• Primary cardholder: 18 to 65 years
• Add-on cardholder: Minimum 18 years

Income Requirements

• Stable monthly income required
• Minimum monthly income: Approximately ₹55,000 (based on Standard Chartered credit card standards)
• Annual income: Around ₹6.6 lakhs for salaried individuals

Credit Score

• Minimum CIBIL score: 700+ (recommended)
• Good credit history with timely repayment track record

Geographic Requirements

• Applicant must reside in Standard Chartered Bank's credit card sourcing cities/locations
• All applications subject to bank's credit and policy checks

• PAN Card (Mandatory)
• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• Voter ID Card
• Driving License

Address Proof (Any One)

• Aadhaar Card
• Passport
• Voter ID Card
• Driving License
• Utility Bills (Electricity, Gas, Telephone - not older than 3 months)
• Bank Account Statement

Income Proof

For Salaried Individuals:

• Latest 3 months' salary slips
• Bank statements for last 6 months
• Form 16 or IT Returns for last 2 years

For Self-Employed:

• Latest Income Tax Returns with computation of income
• Certified financial statements
• Business continuity proof
• Bank statements for last 6 months

Additional Documents

• Recent passport-sized photograph
• Office address proof (for salaried)

1. Visit Standard Chartered Website: Go to the official Standard Chartered India credit cards section at sc.com/in
2. Select Rewards Credit Card: Navigate to the Rewards Credit Card product page
3. Click Apply Now: Fill in your personal details, contact information, and employment details
4. Submit Application: Complete the online form with accurate information
5. Document Upload: Upload required documents (PAN card, address proof, income proof)
6. Instant Decision: Receive an in-principle decision on your application
7. Verification: Bank representative may contact you for additional verification
8. Card Delivery: Receive your card within 7-15 working days after approval

Offline Application

Visit the nearest Standard Chartered Bank branch in your city. Bring all required documents and fill out the physical application form with branch assistance.

Application Status

Track your application status online through the Standard Chartered website or by calling customer care.

The Standard Chartered Rewards Credit Card positions itself as a straightforward entry-level rewards option that rewards consistent spending behavior. With its tiered earning structure of 4x base and 8x accelerated points, the card incentivizes higher monthly retail spending without the complexity of category-based restrictions.

The zero joining fee and easily achievable fee waiver threshold of ₹1.5 lakh make it accessible for new-to-credit users and moderate spenders. The 4,000 reward points offered on annual fee payment effectively offset the cost, especially when redeemed wisely at ₹0.25 per point value.

Best suited for: Regular shoppers who spend ₹20,000-₹50,000 monthly on retail purchases, value simplicity over category optimization, and appreciate the security of non-expiring reward points. The quarterly domestic lounge access adds travel value for occasional flyers.

Consider alternatives if: You're a heavy fuel user (no rewards on fuel), need international lounge access, require comprehensive insurance coverage, or can achieve better value-back rates with category-focused cards from Axis, IDFC, or SBI.

Overall, the SC Rewards card delivers on its promise of rewarding everyday retail spending with a simple, transparent rewards structure that's easy to understand and maximize.