diff --git a/src/components/molecules/ComparisonColumnCard/ComparisonColumnCard.tsx b/src/components/molecules/ComparisonColumnCard/ComparisonColumnCard.tsx
index cd084dd..22ec8d7 100644
--- a/src/components/molecules/ComparisonColumnCard/ComparisonColumnCard.tsx
+++ b/src/components/molecules/ComparisonColumnCard/ComparisonColumnCard.tsx
@@ -36,10 +36,11 @@ function formatPrice(amount: number): string {
 /**
  * Desktop column header card for the ComparisonTable.
  *
- * Shows provider info (verified badge, name, location, rating), package name,
- * total price, CTA button, and optional Remove link. The verified badge floats
- * above the card's top edge. Recommended packages get a copper banner and warm
- * selected card state.
+ * Shows provider info (verified/recommended badge, name, location, rating),
+ * package name, total price, CTA button, and optional Remove link. The badge
+ * floats above the card's top edge — "Recommended" (primary fill) replaces
+ * "Verified" (soft) when the package is recommended. Recommended packages
+ * also get a warm selected card state with a brand-600 border.
  *
  * Used as the sticky header for each column in the desktop comparison grid.
  * Mobile comparison uses ComparisonPackageCard instead.
@@ -61,13 +62,19 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
           ...(Array.isArray(sx) ? sx : [sx]),
         ]}
       >
-        {/* Floating verified badge — overlaps card top edge */}
-        {pkg.provider.verified && (
+        {/* Floating badge — Recommended (primary fill) takes priority over Verified (soft) */}
+        {(pkg.isRecommended || pkg.provider.verified) && (
           <Badge
             color="brand"
-            variant="soft"
+            variant={pkg.isRecommended ? 'filled' : 'soft'}
             size="small"
-            icon={<VerifiedOutlinedIcon sx={{ fontSize: 14 }} />}
+            icon={
+              pkg.isRecommended ? (
+                <StarRoundedIcon sx={{ fontSize: 14 }} />
+              ) : (
+                <VerifiedOutlinedIcon sx={{ fontSize: 14 }} />
+              )
+            }
             sx={{
               position: 'absolute',
               top: -12,
@@ -77,7 +84,7 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
               boxShadow: '0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,0.1)',
             }}
           >
-            Verified
+            {pkg.isRecommended ? 'Recommended' : 'Verified'}
           </Badge>
         )}
 
@@ -85,24 +92,16 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
           variant="outlined"
           selected={pkg.isRecommended}
           padding="none"
-          sx={{ overflow: 'hidden', flex: 1, display: 'flex', flexDirection: 'column' }}
+          sx={{
+            overflow: 'hidden',
+            flex: 1,
+            display: 'flex',
+            flexDirection: 'column',
+            ...(pkg.isRecommended && {
+              borderColor: 'var(--fa-color-brand-600)',
+            }),
+          }}
         >
-          {pkg.isRecommended && (
-            <Box sx={{ bgcolor: 'var(--fa-color-brand-600)', py: 0.75, textAlign: 'center' }}>
-              <Typography
-                variant="labelSm"
-                sx={{
-                  color: 'var(--fa-color-white)',
-                  fontWeight: 600,
-                  letterSpacing: '0.05em',
-                  textTransform: 'uppercase',
-                }}
-              >
-                Recommended
-              </Typography>
-            </Box>
-          )}
-
           <Box
             sx={{
               display: 'flex',
@@ -111,39 +110,59 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
               textAlign: 'center',
               px: 2.5,
               py: 2.5,
-              pt: pkg.provider.verified ? 3 : 2.5,
+              pt: pkg.provider.verified || pkg.isRecommended ? 3 : 2.5,
               gap: 0.5,
               flex: 1,
             }}
           >
-            {/* Provider name (truncated with tooltip) */}
-            <Tooltip
-              title={pkg.provider.name}
-              arrow
-              placement="top"
-              disableHoverListener={pkg.provider.name.length < 24}
+            {/* Provider name with optional verified icon (truncated with tooltip) */}
+            <Box
+              sx={{
+                display: 'flex',
+                alignItems: 'center',
+                justifyContent: 'center',
+                gap: 0.75,
+                maxWidth: '100%',
+              }}
             >
-              <Typography
-                variant="label"
-                sx={{
-                  fontWeight: 600,
-                  overflow: 'hidden',
-                  textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
-                  whiteSpace: 'nowrap',
-                  maxWidth: '100%',
-                }}
+              {pkg.isRecommended && (
+                <VerifiedOutlinedIcon
+                  sx={{
+                    fontSize: 16,
+                    color: 'var(--fa-color-brand-600)',
+                    flexShrink: 0,
+                  }}
+                  aria-label="Verified provider"
+                />
+              )}
+              <Tooltip
+                title={pkg.provider.name}
+                arrow
+                placement="top"
+                disableHoverListener={pkg.provider.name.length < 24}
               >
-                {pkg.provider.name}
-              </Typography>
-            </Tooltip>
+                <Typography
+                  variant="label"
+                  sx={{
+                    fontWeight: 600,
+                    overflow: 'hidden',
+                    textOverflow: 'ellipsis',
+                    whiteSpace: 'nowrap',
+                    minWidth: 0,
+                  }}
+                >
+                  {pkg.provider.name}
+                </Typography>
+              </Tooltip>
+            </Box>
 
             {/* Location */}
             <Typography variant="caption" color="text.secondary">
               {pkg.provider.location}
             </Typography>
 
-            {/* Rating */}
-            {pkg.provider.rating != null && (
+            {/* Rating (or dash placeholder to keep card heights consistent) */}
+            {pkg.provider.rating != null ? (
               <Box sx={{ display: 'inline-flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: 0.5 }}>
                 <StarRoundedIcon
                   sx={{ fontSize: 16, color: 'var(--fa-color-brand-500)' }}
@@ -154,6 +173,10 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
                   {pkg.provider.reviewCount != null && ` (${pkg.provider.reviewCount})`}
                 </Typography>
               </Box>
+            ) : (
+              <Typography variant="body2" color="text.secondary" aria-label="No reviews yet">
+                —
+              </Typography>
             )}
 
             <Divider sx={{ width: '100%', my: 1 }} />
@@ -182,10 +205,10 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
               {pkg.provider.verified ? 'Make Arrangement' : 'Make Enquiry'}
             </Button>
 
-            {!pkg.isRecommended && onRemove && (
+            {!pkg.isRecommended && onRemove ? (
               <Link
                 component="button"
-                variant="body2"
+                variant="caption"
                 color="text.secondary"
                 underline="hover"
                 onClick={() => onRemove(pkg.id)}
@@ -193,6 +216,11 @@ export const ComparisonColumnCard = React.forwardRef<HTMLDivElement, ComparisonC
               >
                 Remove
               </Link>
+            ) : (
+              /* Invisible spacer keeps CTA aligned with cards that show Remove */
+              <Box sx={{ mt: 0.5, visibility: 'hidden' }} aria-hidden>
+                <Typography variant="caption">Remove</Typography>
+              </Box>
             )}
           </Box>
         </Card>