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American Express Platinum Charge Card VS Club Vistara IndusInd Bank Explorer Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee
₹66,000 + GST
₹40,000 + GST
Renewal Fee
₹66,000 + GST
₹10,000 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
No waiver of the annual fee based on spending.
Not applicable for annual fee waiver.
Foreign Transaction Fees
3.5% of the transaction amount.
Currently Nil; 1.8% applicable on international spends effective November 4, 2024.
Interest Rate (APR)
3.5% per month.
2.85% per month.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
Vouchers worth ₹60,000 from Taj Hotels/Luxe Gift Card on ₹50,000 spend. Earn 10,000 Referral Bonus MR Points.
Complimentary Club Vistara Gold membership, Business Class Ticket voucher, and Gift Vouchers worth INR 25,000.
Rewards Rate
1 MR Point for every ₹40 domestic spend; 3X MR Points on international spends; up to 20X on luxury brands.
Earn 8 CV Points per INR 200 on Vistara, 6 CV Points per INR 200 on other travel, 2 CV Points on retail.
Reward Type
Reward Points
Reward Points
Reward Redemption Fee
Nil.
Nil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary access to partner lounges in India via American Express Global Lounge Collection®.
1 complimentary visit per calendar quarter (total 4 annually) at participating domestic lounges.
International Lounge Access
Access to over 1,550+ airport lounges worldwide through American Express Global Lounge Collection®.
Complimentary Priority Pass membership with 4 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (total 16 annually).
Travel Benefits
Extensive global lounge access, Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits, elite tier upgrades, and exclusive airline deals.
Complimentary Business Class tickets, Travel Plus Programme, 24x7 concierge for bookings and assistance.
Movie Benefits
Buy one get one free on movie tickets (capped at Rs. 700, 2/month), plus Rs. 100 off F&B via BookMyShow.
Dining Benefits
Exclusive dining privileges, discounts at Taj, SeleQtions, Vivanta, and Oberoi Hotels.
Get Rs. 3,000 off on dining bills two times every year at premium restaurants via EazyDiner.
Golf Benefits
Not Applicable
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Waived at HPCL up to ₹5,000; 1% at BPCL/IOCL; 2.5% at others (min ₹10).
1% waiver on fuel surcharge for transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4,000.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Comprehensive insurance coverage included for peace of mind.
Travel insurance (lost baggage, passport), Total Protect (unauthorized transactions), Air Accident Cover up to Rs. 2.5 crores.
Cash Advance Charges
3.5% of advanced amount, subject to a minimum charge of ₹250.
Nil
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

American Express Platinum Charge Card

Club Vistara IndusInd Bank Explorer Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Unparalleled global lounge access to over 1,550 airports worldwide.

No preset credit limit provides exceptional spending power and flexibility.

Fast-track elite status with top hotel chains like Marriott, Hilton, and Taj.

Generous welcome benefits including vouchers worth ₹60,000 from luxury brands.

Dedicated 24x7 global concierge service for personalized assistance.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Waiver of cash withdrawal, late payment, and over limit fees is a rare benefit.

Complimentary Club Vistara Gold Tier membership and business class tickets.

High reward earning rates on Vistara and travel, with extensive lounge access.

Generous movie and dining benefits, ensuring significant savings on entertainment.

Comprehensive travel insurance, Total Protect, plus 24x7 Concierge and Auto Assist.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Extremely high joining and annual fees of ₹66,000 plus applicable taxes.

No spend-based waiver available for the substantial annual renewal fee.

Reward points earning is excluded for utility bill payments and insurance transactions.

High foreign currency markup of 3.5% on international transactions.

Fuel surcharge waiver is limited and not comprehensive across all stations.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The joining and annual fees are relatively high for a credit card.

Club Vistara Gold membership benefit is limited to only the first year.

Foreign currency markup charges will be introduced from November 4, 2024.

The existing card program is being revised due to airline merger.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.