Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum 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
Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum and Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip differ first on recurring cost: Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum has an annual fee of ₹499 + GST against ₹350 + GST for Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, so Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum earns 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year 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 | Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Kotak Mahindra Bank | Standard Chartered |
| Joining fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹499 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50) |
| Accelerated routes | 8 Reward Points per ₹150 on issuer-listed special categories, and on all eligible spend once ₹2 lakh of annual spend is reached | 10x rewards per ₹100 spent booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites, apps or outlets |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load | 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 | Visa Platinum | Visa |
| Best suited to | movies, first card, milestone spender | budget travel, flights hotels, low fee |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-04 | Checked 2026-08-04 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum better than the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Neither is universally better. Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum charges ₹499 + GST a year and earns 4 Reward Points per ₹150 on eligible spend below ₹2 lakh a year; 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, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum 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, Kotak Mahindra Bank League Platinum 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.