SBI Card MILES ELITE 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
SBI Card MILES ELITE and Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip differ first on recurring cost: SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999 + GST against ₹350 + GST for Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, so Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip is cheaper to hold. On rewards, SBI Card MILES ELITE earns 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other spend while Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50). SBI Card MILES ELITE has the lower forex markup at 1.99%. 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 | SBI Card MILES ELITE | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | SBI Card | Standard Chartered |
| Joining fee | ₹4,999 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹4,999 + GST | ₹350 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹15,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other spend | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50) |
| Accelerated routes | travel spends (air/rail/hotels/OTAs) | 10x rewards per ₹100 spent booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites, apps or outlets |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, wallet load, rent, education, utility, insurance, quasi cash, cash advance, financial charges, disputed transactions, encash, atm withdrawal, flexipay, merchant emi | fuel, rent, wallet load |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 8/yr (maximum 2/quarter), plus 1 additional visit per cumulative ₹1 lakh spend; additional visits capped at 8/membership year | 2 complimentary visits per calendar year |
| International lounge | 6/yr through Priority Pass; paid thereafter | none — discontinued from 15 October 2024 |
| Card networks | Mastercard, RuPay | Visa |
| Best suited to | miles transfer, travel, low forex | budget travel, flights hotels, low fee |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-08-04 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the SBI Card MILES ELITE better than the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Neither is universally better. SBI Card MILES ELITE charges ₹4,999 + GST a year and earns 2 Travel Credits per ₹200 on eligible other 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, SBI Card MILES ELITE 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, SBI Card MILES ELITE or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
SBI Card MILES ELITE publishes the lower forex markup at 1.99% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
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.