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Comparison · हिन्दी

SBI Card ELITE vs HDFC Regalia Gold

Both cards compared on real rupee returns for best premium credit card India SBI vs HDFC under 5000. We ran the numbers so you can make the right call.

Updated · Terms checked by Prashant Parikh
SBI
CARD ELITE
ASHOK KUMAR
VS
HDFC
REGALIA GOLD
ASHOK KUMAR
Our verdict
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card wins for most people
HDFC Regalia Gold wins with ₹1,985 annual benefit versus SBI Card ELITE's negative ₹1,219 return. HDFC's lower fee and higher rewards across most categories make it the clear winner for this spend profile.
Side-by-side comparison
SBI Card ELITE HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card ✓
Annual benefit -₹1,219 ₹1,985
Annual feeThe yearly fee a bank charges for holding the card, often waived if you spend enough in a year.Full definition → ₹4,999 + taxes (waived on ₹10,00,000/year spend) ₹2,500 + taxes (waived on ₹4,00,000/year spend)
Reward rateCashback pays you directly in rupees; reward points need converting first, and their real value depends on the redemption ratio.Full definition → 10 reward points per ₹100 on dining, grocery and departmental stores (2.5% at ₹0.25 a point); 2 per ₹100 on all other spends except fuel (0.5%) 5 reward points per ₹200 on most spends (about 1.625% at ₹0.65 a point on the Gold catalogue); 5X on Nykaa, Myntra, Marks & Spencer and Reliance Digital; no points on fuel; grocery points capped at 2,000 a month
Lounge accessFree entry to airport lounges, usually limited to a set number of visits per quarter or year.Full definition → 2 domestic visits/quarter + 6 international visits/year via Priority Pass 12 domestic + 6 international visits/year (domestic spend-based from July 2026: ₹60,000/quarter)
Forex markupThe extra fee your bank adds on top of the real exchange rate for any spend in a foreign currency.Full definition → 1.99% 2%
Best for Premium lifestyle card with movie benefits, lounge access and dining/grocery rewards All-round premium card with travel perks and lifestyle rewards
Min. incomeThe minimum income, credit score, and other conditions a bank requires before approving your application.Full definition → ₹40,000/month (salaried) ₹1L/month (salaried)
Credit scoreYour 3-digit credit score (300-900), higher scores make approval easier and can unlock better cards.Full definition → 750+ 750+
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When each card wins
SBI Card ELITE
SBI Card ELITE suits premium diners and grocery shoppers willing to spend ₹10,00,000 annually to waive its high fee. Without reaching that spend threshold, the card's ₹4,999 fee outweighs its category-specific rewards.
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
HDFC Regalia Gold excels for balanced spenders across shopping, dining, travel and groceries. Its ₹2,500 fee requires only ₹4,00,000 annual spend to waive, making it accessible and rewarding for regular premium card users.
Who should get which card
Get SBI Card ELITE if you…
· Very high spenders on groceries and dining who can achieve ₹10,00,000 annual spend
· Movie buff lifestyle enthusiasts seeking premium cinema benefits
· Diners who value focused restaurant rewards and perks
Get HDFC Regalia Gold if you…
· All-round spenders with balanced shopping, dining and travel expenses
· Frequent online shoppers on major retail platforms
· Travelers seeking comprehensive travel benefits and rewards
Partner offer
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card
Frequent travellers who book hotels and flights through the IDFC FIRST Bank app specifically, where the real redemption value is highest; weak for everyday spending outside the app
Apply now →
IDFC
ASHOK KUMAR

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Related guides
Axis Bank Select vs HDFC Regalia Gold →Air India SBI Signature vs SBI Card ELITE →HDFC Regalia vs SBI Card ELITE →HDFC Regalia vs HDFC Regalia Gold →Best Dining Credit Cards →Best Travel Credit Cards →Best Shopping Credit Cards →
Frequently asked questions
Based on our analysis, HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers better annual returns for most spend profiles.
SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999 + taxes (waived on ₹10,00,000/year spend). HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹2,500 + taxes (waived on ₹4,00,000/year spend).
SBI Card ELITE offers 10 reward points per ₹100 on dining, grocery and departmental stores (2.5% at ₹0.25 a point); 2 per ₹100 on all other spends except fuel (0.5%). HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers 5 reward points per ₹200 on most spends (about 1.625% at ₹0.65 a point on the Gold catalogue); 5X on Nykaa, Myntra, Marks & Spencer and Reliance Digital; no points on fuel; grocery points capped at 2,000 a month.
SBI Card ELITE lounge access: 2 domestic visits/quarter + 6 international visits/year via Priority Pass. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card lounge access: 12 domestic + 6 international visits/year (domestic spend-based from July 2026: ₹60,000/quarter).
SBI Card ELITE charges 1.99% forex markup. HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card charges 2% forex markup.