Of all the credit cards, Platinum Credit Cards have the highest reward programs and spending limits. Often considered status symbol, Platinum cards offer freedom and personalized banking that no other card does.
Most banks that offer credit cards make sure to include Platinum card in the lineup. Corporations, particularly senior management, often use Platinum cards for the benefits they provide. It is often difficult to choose the best one from the options available, so we have compiled a list of Platinum cards provided by various banks in Pakistan and list down their rewards.
Note: The details have been taken from websites of the banks. Some facilities are equally provided by all banks to Platinum card holders such as high credit limits, personalized banking and VIP customer service. It’s the other facilities such as reward points and discounts that make the difference. In this blog we are covering these rewards so that readers can compare the cards and make a more informed choice.
Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan
- 5 reward points for every Rs. 200 (redeemable points)
- Concierge services
Bank Alfalah
- Discounts (Such as 20% off at Lal Qila, Pappsalis, Tuscany and Little China)
- 1 fortune point for every Rs. 50 (redeemable points)
- Concierge Services
- Priority Pass*
- Free CIP Lounge Access
- Shopping/dining discounts (Such as 25% off at Chung Pa and Cafe CZ)
- 1 reward point for every Rs. 200 (redeemable points)
- Double reward points for international spending
- Free CIP Lounge Access
Visa Platinum
- 1 reward point for every Rs. 50 (redeemable points)
- Triple reward points for international spending
- Priority Pass
- Free CIP Lounge Access
- 20% on selective local restaurants (such as Cafe Aylanto, Cafe Flo and Papasallis)
- Exclusive local discounts (such as 40% off on diamond jewelry from Almas Jewelers)
- Concierge Services
- Visa international discount offers
- Discounts (25% off at Nike, Charles & Keith, Pedro and Tag Huer)
- Free CIP Lounge Access
- 1 reward point for every Rs. 25 (redeemable points)
- 5x reward points for foreign currency transactions
- Visa international discount offers
- Discounts
- 1 reward point for every Rs. 50 (redeemable points)
- Triple reward points for international spending
- Free access to Shapes Health Club
- Free CIP Lounge Access
- Visa international discount offers
*Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport VIP lounge program and allows Platinum Card holders to use lounge facilities while they wait for their flights.
Conclusion
The platinum credit cards of all banks provide massive benefits but HBL’s Platinum Credit Card makes a stronger presence than most. The sheer number of rewards & benefits overshadow others, particularly 5x points for foreign transactions and reward point on every Rs. 25 shopping.
MCB seems to be close second, with some great discounts and priority pass. Some banks, such as Silk Bank and Allied, do not have dedicated information pages for the Platinum cards and thus we were unable to find details of their offerings.
While the rewards sound great, the real benefit of Platinum Cards is the personalized banking and access to lounges on airports. For frequent travelers these are like heaven and the better the options for redeemable points, the more beneficial Platinum card gets.
The choice of Platinum Credit Card should be based on multiple factors, keeping one’s lifestyle in mind, and the benefits of the card will enhance the shopping experience.
Nice effort but there are several factors missing in the comparison. In terms of reward points, the value of single point matters. Also ease of redemption (online vs catalog) is also important factor.
I am also not pleased with the concierge services offered by banks here. They are not what are claimed on website. Some banks route you to one of the travel agent who deal with you as a normal customer which I can do myself.
Also even with priority pass, you get charged when you access the lounge.
Another interesting comparison could be benefits offered by Visa / MasterCard on platinum cards.