HDFC Regalia stands out among lifestyle credit cards, offering extensive benefits—travel, shopping, dining—at a reasonable Rs. 2500 annual fee.
Now, HDFC introduces Regalia Gold, maintaining the same annual fee but elevating lifestyle and travel benefits. Ideal for those seeking a lavish lifestyle, it includes the Exclusive Gold Catalogue for reward points redemption.
Currently, numerous HDFC Regalia cardholders are getting upgrade proposals to shift to the Regalia Gold variant. This piece evaluates if transitioning is advisable and highlights the added benefits of the Regalia Gold over HDFC Regalia.
HDFC Regalia vs. HDFC Regalia Gold – Which is Better
Now, let’s analyse the fees, charges, benefits, and rewards of both cards.
Fees and Charges
Both Regalia and Regalia Gold cards entail a Rs. 2500 plus taxes joining and annual fee. While the Regalia card allows renewal fee waiver upon spending Rs. 3 Lakhs or more in the preceding year, the Regalia Gold demands a higher threshold of Rs. 4 Lakhs for fee exemption.
Welcome Benefits
Regalia grants a welcome bonus of 2500 reward points.
Regalia Gold provides a Club Vistara Silver Tier and MMT Black Elite membership with Rs. 1 Lakh spending within 90 days of card issuance.
Travel
Regalia Gold credit cards grant 12 domestic and 6 international lounge accesses. Beginning December 1, 2023, HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Cardholders qualify for 8 domestic and 6 international lounge accesses quarterly with Rs. 1 Lakh spends.
Insurance Benefits
Both cards provide accidental air death insurance up to Rs. 1 Crore and overseas hospitalisation coverage of Rs. 15 Lakhs.
Milestone Benefits
Regalia gives 10,000 bonus points for Rs. 5 Lakhs spending annually. An extra 5,000 points on Rs. 8 Lakhs spent the previous year.
Regalia Gold provides Rs. 1500 gift vouchers quarterly for Rs. 1.5 Lakhs spending. Earn Rs. 5,000 flight vouchers at Rs. 5 Lakhs spent yearly. Plus, get Rs. 5,000 flight vouchers for Rs. 7.5 Lakhs spent in the card anniversary year.
Reward Earning Rate
Regalia grants 4 points per Rs. 150 spent.
Regalia Gold offers 4 points per Rs. 150, covering education, utilities, and insurance. Additionally, enjoy 20 points per Rs. 150 at partner brands like Nykaa, Marks and Spencers, Myntra, Reliance Digital, and others.
Reward Redemption
Both Regalia and Regalia Gold credit cards share the same redemption values:
- Smartbuy: Rs. 0.5
- Airmiles: 0.5 Air Miles
- Rewards Catalog: Rs. 0.2 to Rs. 0.35
- Cashback: Rs. 0.2
However, Regalia Gold offers unique advantages. It provides access to the Exclusive Gold Catalog for redeeming points on Apple, Samsung, and other products at a higher rate of 0.65 Re/pt, a feature absent in Regalia. Furthermore, Regalia Gold allows point transfers to new partners like Aeroplan, LifeMiles, Accor, etc., expanding options compared to Regalia’s limited partner transfers.
Why Choose Regalia Gold Over the Regalia Credit Card?
In summary, Regalia Gold outshines Regalia for several reasons:
- Both cards share the same reward rate, but Regalia Gold excels with 5x points at partner brands like Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital, etc.
- Regalia Gold offers superior milestone benefits, including complimentary flight vouchers upon reaching the specified spending target.
- Exclusive access to the Gold Catalog for reward redemption and the ability to transfer points to new partners like Aeroplan, LifeMiles, Accor, etc., sets Regalia Gold apart.
- Regalia Gold provides 12 complimentary lounge accesses within India, surpassing Regalia’s 8 lounges per year.
- While Regalia demands quarterly spending of Rs. 1 lakh for domestic lounge access, Regalia Gold imposes no such condition, enhancing convenience for cardholders.
Bottom Line
For those leading a luxurious lifestyle, HDFC Regalia credit cards stand out, offering elite privileges in travel, dining, movies, and more. Despite both cards sharing a Rs. 2500 joining fee and excelling in their own right, the Regalia Gold card edges ahead. Notably, its features and benefits, particularly in reward redemption and milestone rewards, surpass those of HDFC Regalia. Moreover, Regalia Gold provides more complimentary lounge access annually compared to the Regalia Credit Card. If you currently hold a Regalia credit card, transitioning to the Regalia Gold credit card is recommended for an enhanced credit experience