American Express SmartEarn vs Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
American Express SmartEarn and Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip differ first on recurring cost: American Express SmartEarn has an annual fee of ₹495 + GST against ₹350 + GST for Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, so Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip is cheaper to hold. On rewards, American Express SmartEarn earns 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend while Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50). Both publish the same 3.5% forex markup. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-04. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | American Express | Standard Chartered |
| Joining fee | ₹495 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹495 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹40,000 annual eligible spend | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50) |
| Accelerated routes | selected 10X merchants excluding Zomato and EaseMyTrip · Zomato and EaseMyTrip · Amazon | 10x rewards per ₹100 spent booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites, apps or outlets |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, insurance, utilities, cash advance | fuel, rent, wallet load |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | none | 2 complimentary visits per calendar year |
| International lounge | none | none — discontinued from 15 October 2024 |
| Card networks | Amex | Visa |
| Best suited to | first amex, online shopping, low fee | budget travel, flights hotels, low fee |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-08-04 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the American Express SmartEarn better than the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Neither is universally better. American Express SmartEarn charges ₹495 + GST a year and earns 1 Membership Rewards point per ₹50 on eligible spend; Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip charges ₹350 + GST and earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50). The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, American Express SmartEarn or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹350 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, American Express SmartEarn or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Both publish a 3.5% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.