Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card is a premium product positioned as one of the most rewarding credit cards in India, especially tailored for frequent online spenders, luxury lifestyle seekers, and international travelers. Below is an in-depth, detailed analysis of all of its features, benefits, charges, reward structures, eligibility criteria, and real-world value – making it suitable for a finance blog or review site.
Introduction and Overview
The Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card, launched as a super-premium offering, is designed to compete with India’s top luxury credit cards. It caters to affluent individuals who prioritize online shopping, airport lounge access, elevated travel experiences, and hassle-free reward redemptions[2][1]. The card stands out due to its high reward rates, flexibility in redemptions, and numerous lifestyle perks – all bundled with robust insurance coverage and value-driven benefits.
Reward Structure and Earning Potential
Accelerated Rewards
- Online Spends: Earn 36 Reward Points (RP) for every ₹200 spent online, equating to an industry-leading reward rate of up to 4.5%.
- Offline Spends: Every ₹200 spent offline earns 18 RP (2.25% value).
- Select Categories: Even utility bill payments, recharge, wallet loading, insurance, and educational spends fetch 10 RP per ₹200 spent (1.25% reward rate). Many premium cards exclude these spends.
| Category | Reward Points (per ₹200 spent) | Approximate Reward Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Online shopping | 36 | 4.5% |
| Offline purchases | 18 | 2.25% |
| Utilities/recharges | 10 | 1.25% |
Cap: The maximum you can earn is up to 100,000 points per statement cycle on online spends (about ₹5.5 lakh in spending). Once the cap is reached, the earning rates drop to offline spend rates for residual transactions.
Exclusions: No reward points on fuel, rent, wallet cash withdrawals, government payments, and certain EMI conversions.
Expiry: Points expire after 36 months, encouraging timely redemption.
Redemption Options and Real Reward Value
- Flights & Hotels: Points can be redeemed directly for flight and hotel bookings at a fixed value of ₹0.25 per point, offering a clear, transparent redemption model without the restrictions or mileage conversion hassles seen on travel cards.
- Vouchers, Merchandise, Gift Cards: Some vouchers and merchandise can be redeemed at similar rates, but always verify when redeeming for maximum value.
- YesRewardz Platform: All redemptions are managed through YES Bank’s YesRewardz portal, with no redemption fees.
Example Calculation: If you spend ₹2 lakh online in a month:
- You earn 36 RP/₹200 x (₹2,00,000/₹200) = 36 x 1,000 = 36,000 RP = ₹9,000 in rewards, based on ₹0.25 per RP value.
This makes it among the best cashback equivalents available for high online spenders.
Travel & Airport Lounge Benefits
The card excels in travel benefits, targeting those who frequently use airport lounges and demand world-class convenience.
- Domestic Lounges: 6 complimentary lounge visits per quarter (24 per year), available to both primary and add-on cardholders. Guest access is also included.
- International Lounges: Unlimited complimentary visits for primary and add-on cardholders, plus 4 free guest passes per year.
- Priority Pass Membership: Complimentary for cardholders, applicable to both domestic and international lounges.
This unlimited feature for cardholders (including add-ons and guests) is rare in Indian super premium cards and adds immense value for frequent travelers.
Lifestyle & Luxury Features
Movie & Dining Privileges
- BookMyShow Offer: Buy-One-Get-One-Free movie ticket offer, capped at 3 tickets per month and up to ₹800 per ticket[1][2][4].
- Dining Discounts: 15% discount at partner restaurants, fostering a premium lifestyle experience.
Golf Benefits
- Complimentary Golf Lessons: One per calendar month.
- Green Fee Waivers: Four per year at select golf courses.
Insurance, Purchase Protection & Memberships
- Purchase Protection: Accidental damage insurance up to ₹50,000 for 6 months on mobiles and electronics purchased online.
- Credit Shield Cover: Insurance up to ₹3 lakh in event of cardholder’s death or disability.
- Complimentary ETPrime Subscription: ₹3,199 value upon payment of joining fee.
- Other Insurance: Coverage for lost card liability, travel accident, and more (verify individual policy details upon application).
Charges, Fees & Markup
Annual and Joining Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹9,999 + GST |
| Renewal Fee | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Interest Rate | 2.99% per month |
| Foreign Markup | 1% |
- Renewal Fee Waiver: Spend ₹10 lakh in a year to get the next year’s fee waived[3]. On renewal, you earn 20,000 RP as a bonus.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 (max ₹1,000 waiver per statement cycle).
- Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of transaction amount.
- Wallet Transaction Fee: Minimum 1% fee or ₹1 (whichever is higher) on some wallet transactions.
- Education/Utility Bill Fee: 1% + GST above ₹15,000/month for utilities, capped at ₹3,000/month; similar caps for education-related spends.
Eligibility and Application Criteria
- Age: 21-60 years.
- Income: At least ₹3 lakh per month (salaried), or ITR above ₹36 lakh annually (self-employed).
- Credit Profile: High CIBIL score, robust credit history, and stable employment or business background increase approval probability.
- Application: Available online via YES Bank and select third-party partners.
Pros and Cons Analysis
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highest online reward rates (up to 4.5%) | High joining/renewal fees |
| Unlimited international lounge access for add-ons & guests | Limited airline/hotel transfer partners |
| Straightforward, valuable point redemption | Best value for high annual spenders |
| Complimentary insurance and purchase protection | Utility/education spends above caps attract fees |
| Premium lifestyle, movie, and dining benefits | No cashback; reward benefit limited by select categories |
| Low forex markup (1%) | Lesser rewards on offline/utility spends compared to online |
Target Audience: Who Should Apply?
- Best Suited For: Luxury lifestyle seekers, frequent online shoppers, international travelers, Indian high-income professionals, and those valuing premium lounge access for their families.
- Not for: Users with modest annual spends, mileage enthusiasts, or those seeking low-fee cards with basic perks.
Real-World Value Comparison
When compared to similarly positioned cards (HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal, SBI Elite), the Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card offers more straightforward and accessible rewards for online shoppers while matching or surpassing many cards in travel and lounge benefits.The lack of complex redemption restrictions, broad inclusion of spend categories, and premium lifestyle privileges make it a unique proposition in its segment.
Application Process and Key Tips
- Apply online or through YES Bank branches. Keep recent income documents, proof of identity, address, and ample CIBIL data handy.
- Seek add-on cards for family members to maximize lounge and lifestyle benefits.
- Use the card for major online purchases, travel bookings, and dining out to make the most of reward rates and privileges.
- Redeem Reward Points within 36 months to ensure no loss in accumulated value.
Conclusion
YES Bank Marquee Credit Card is one of the most competitive super-premium credit cards available in India right now, especially for content creators, business professionals, and frequent travelers who prioritize online spends and travel perks over classic mileage schemes.