ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card vs Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip has the lower annual fee (₹350 vs ₹3,500); ICICI Sapphiro includes 4 airport lounge visits a quarter, Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip 2 airport lounge visits a year; both charge a 3.5% forex markup.
| Key facts | ICICI Sapphiro | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,500 | ₹350 |
| Joining fee | ₹6,500 | ₹350 |
| Annual fee waived | On ₹6 lakh annual spend | On ₹50,000 annual spend |
| Lounge access | 4 airport lounge visits a quarter | 2 airport lounge visits a year |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 22 Oct 2026. Rewards, milestones and welcome benefits are in the full table below.
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card and the Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card cater to different user needs with distinct fee structures and reward focuses. ICICI Sapphiro offers premium travel benefits including multiple domestic and international lounge accesses and higher joining fees with a waiver on high spending. Standard Chartered Easemytrip is more affordable with a low joining fee and focuses on travel-related rewards specifically for hotel and airline spends. Both cards have the same forex markup fee of 3.5%.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
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| Feature | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card | Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | ICICI Bank | Standard Chartered Bank |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.6500 | Joining Fee - Rs.350 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.3500 | Renewal Fee of Rs.350 |
| Annual fee waiver | Spend Rs.6 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee | Spend Rs.50000 For Renewal Fee Waiver |
| Reward rate (headline) | Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.100 | Earn 2X Reward points on Retail |
| Lounge — domestic | 4 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter | Enjoy 2 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access Per Year |
| Lounge — international | 2 Complimentary International Airport Lounge Access | — |
| Welcome benefit | 20000 Reward Points Every Anniversary Year | — |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
When it comes to rewards, the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card provides a more versatile earning structure with 2 reward points per Rs.100 spent generally and 4 points on international spends, plus 1 point on utilities and insurance. It also offers a substantial welcome benefit of 20,000 reward points annually. In contrast, the Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card focuses on travel-centric rewards with 2X points on retail and an accelerated 10X points on standalone hotel and airline spends but lacks any welcome or milestone benefits. Overall, ICICI Sapphiro is better suited for diversified reward earners, while Easemytrip is targeted towards frequent travelers who spend heavily on hotels and airlines.
Which is better for travel?
For travel benefits, ICICI Bank Sapphiro clearly leads with 4 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses, which is a significant advantage for frequent flyers. It also offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver and some golf benefits. The Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card offers only 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per year and no international lounge access or fuel surcharge waiver. Therefore, ICICI Sapphiro is more travel-focused and premium, while Easemytrip is more basic in travel perks.
Which has lower effective cost?
In terms of fees, the Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card is more beginner-friendly with a low joining fee of Rs.350 and a renewal fee of Rs.350, which can be waived by spending Rs.50,000 annually. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card has a high joining fee of Rs.6,500 and a renewal fee of Rs.3,500, waived only with a much higher spend of Rs.6 lakh. Both cards charge the same 3.5% forex markup fee. Thus, Easemytrip is more cost-effective for moderate spenders or those new to credit cards, while Sapphiro suits high spenders who can justify the premium fees.
Reward Redemption Value
Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card specifies a reward redemption rate where 2 reward points equal Rs.0.50, which helps in understanding the effective value of points earned. The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card's redemption value is not detailed here, so checking the issuer's site is recommended for comparison.
Golf Benefits
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card offers 4 complimentary rounds of golf per month with minimum spend criteria, adding value for golf enthusiasts. The Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card does not provide any golf-related benefits.
Who should pick ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card?
Consider ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler seeking extensive lounge access both domestically and internationally, and if you spend enough annually to justify the higher fees for premium benefits and accelerated rewards on international and utility spends.
Who should pick Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card?
Consider Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card if you prefer a low-cost credit card with focused travel rewards on hotels and airlines, and if you want a simpler fee waiver threshold. This card suits moderate spenders and those who primarily want travel-related rewards without premium fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card charges a joining fee of Rs.6,500 and a renewal fee of Rs.3,500, waived if you spend Rs.6 lakh annually. Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card has a joining and renewal fee of Rs.350 each, waived with Rs.50,000 annual spend.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card provides 4 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter and 2 international lounge accesses. Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card offers 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per year and no international lounge access.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card offers 20,000 reward points every anniversary year as a welcome benefit. Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card does not provide any welcome benefits.
Both ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card and Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% on foreign currency transactions.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions. Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card does not mention any fuel surcharge waiver.
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Visa Credit Card offers 4 reward points per Rs.100 spent on international transactions, whereas Standard Chartered Easemytrip Credit Card does not specify accelerated rewards for international spends.