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HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITE

How HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card and SBI Card ELITE compare on fees, rewards and eligibility — verified as of June 2026.

By NexMaxo Editorial Team · Terms verified June 2026

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Quick take

Neither is lifetime-free: HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card costs ₹2,500 + GST (waived on ₹4L annual spend) and SBI Card ELITE costs ₹4,999 + GST joining and renewal; renewal fee waived on annual spends of ₹10 lakh or more — both waivable on spend, so the rewards decide it.

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card — better for frequent flyers who want lounge access plus accelerated shopping rewards.

SBI Card ELITE — better for frequent travellers and entertainment spenders with ₹60k+ monthly income who want lounge access, milestone bonus points and a movie benefit, and can absorb the ₹4,999 fee against the ₹5,000 welcome voucher.

Side by side

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit CardHDFC BankSBI Card ELITESBI Card
Annual fee₹2,500 + GST (waived on ₹4L annual spend)₹4,999 + GST joining and renewal; renewal fee waived on annual spends of ₹10 lakh or more
Reward rate~1.25% base (5 RP/₹200, from May 2026); 5X at select brands2 RP per ₹100 base (~0.5%); 5X = 10 RP per ₹100 on dining/grocery/departmental stores (~2.5%, cap 10,000 RP/month); 1 RP = ₹0.25 (4 RP = ₹1)
Lifetime-freeNoNo
NetworkVisa / MastercardVisa / Mastercard / RuPay / American Express
EligibilitySalaried ₹1L+/mo (21–60); self-employed ITR ≥₹18L (21–65)Approx age 21-70 years; minimum income approx ₹60,000/month (aggregator-sourced)
Best forFrequent flyers who want lounge access plus accelerated shopping rewards.Frequent travellers and entertainment spenders with ₹60k+ monthly income who want lounge access, milestone bonus points and a movie benefit, and can absorb the ₹4,999 fee against the ₹5,000 welcome voucher.

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card

  • Complimentary domestic and international airport-lounge visits
  • 5X reward points at Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital & M&S (cap 5,000 RP/mo)
  • ₹2,500 joining fee offset by a ₹2,500 welcome voucher
Read full HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card review

SBI Card ELITE

  • Up to 50,000 bonus Reward Points/year on milestones (10k each at ₹3L & ₹4L spend, 15k each at ₹5L & ₹8L)
  • Complimentary Priority Pass: 6 international lounge visits/year (max 2/quarter) + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
  • 5X Reward Points (10 RP/₹100) on dining, groceries & departmental stores, capped 10,000 RP/month; 2 free BookMyShow tickets/month (up to ₹250 each)
Read full SBI Card ELITE review
See both ranked among the best travel & lounge credit cards

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITE — FAQs

Neither is universally better. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card suits frequent flyers who want lounge access plus accelerated shopping rewards. SBI Card ELITE suits frequent travellers and entertainment spenders with ₹60k+ monthly income who want lounge access, milestone bonus points and a movie benefit, and can absorb the ₹4,999 fee against the ₹5,000 welcome voucher. Compare the annual fee and reward rate above against your own spending — that's what decides it.

This is an informational comparison, not financial advice. Card terms change often — confirm current fees, rewards and eligibility on each issuer's official page before applying. Pay your bill in full to avoid interest.