Introduction
The HDFC Regalia Credit Card has been one of the most popular premium cards in India for several years. It is designed for people who want a mix of lifestyle, travel, and reward benefits without stepping into the ultra-premium credit card segment. From complimentary lounge access to travel insurance and reward points, this card tries to give cardholders a “regal” experience. Let’s look at the features, fees, eligibility, and whether it still makes sense in 2025.
Annual Fee and Eligibility
Joining and Renewal Fee: ₹2,500 plus taxes. The annual fee is waived if you spend ₹3 lakh or more in a year.
Welcome Benefits: On joining, you usually get reward points equal to the joining fee value (around 2,500 points).
Eligibility:
Salaried individuals should have a minimum monthly income of around ₹1 lakh.
Self-employed individuals are generally required to have an annual income above ₹12 lakh.
Age limit: 21–60 years for salaried and up to 65 years for self-employed.
Reward Structure
The biggest attraction of this card is its reward system.
Earning Points: You earn 4 reward points for every ₹150 spent.
Accelerated Rewards: Higher points can be earned on travel bookings, shopping portals, and certain categories under HDFC’s offers.
Redemption Options:
Flights and hotels: 1 point = 50 paise.
Shopping vouchers or products: 1 point = 35 paise.
Cashback: 1 point = 20 paise.
Air Miles: 1 point = 0.5 air mile.
Milestone Benefits:
Spend ₹5 lakh in a year and get 10,000 bonus reward points.
Spend ₹8 lakh in a year and get an extra 5,000 points.
Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
Airport Lounge Access:
2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter (8 in a year) if you spend ₹1 lakh in that quarter.
6 complimentary international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass membership.
Travel Insurance:
Air accident cover of up to ₹1 crore.
Overseas hospitalization cover of up to ₹15 lakh.
Lost card liability cover of up to ₹9 lakh.
Lifestyle Perks: Complimentary Priority Pass membership, special dining offers, and curated lifestyle deals add to the premium feel.
Other Charges
Foreign Currency Mark-Up: 2% on international transactions, which is lower than what most cards charge.
Cash Advance Fee: 2.5% or a minimum of ₹500.
Late Payment Fee: Ranges from ₹100 to ₹1,300 depending on the outstanding bill.
Over-limit Charges: 2.5% of the over-limit amount, with a minimum of ₹550.
Reward Redemption Fee: In some cases, a nominal fee of ₹99 may be charged per redemption request.
User Experience – The Good and the Not-So-Good
Positives:
Strong travel benefits, especially for frequent flyers.
Reasonable annual fee with waiver option on higher spends.
Flexible reward redemption choices.
Competitive forex markup makes it a good companion for international travel.
Negatives:
Lounge access is conditional and may not always work smoothly.
Some users have reported confusion around “lifetime free” promises and annual fee waivers.
Reward redemption value is lower for cashback compared to travel.
Over the years, certain benefits have been reduced, making it less attractive compared to newer premium cards.
Is It Worth It in 2025?
The HDFC Regalia Credit Card continues to be a balanced choice for mid-to-high income professionals, especially those who travel frequently. The card offers good value if you:
Spend ₹3 lakh or more in a year (to waive the fee).
Use travel benefits like lounge access and insurance.
Redeem reward points for flights and hotels rather than cashback.
However, if you’re mainly looking for cashback cards or online shopping rewards, there are other cards in the market that may give higher returns.
Final Verdict
The HDFC Regalia Credit Card is neither an entry-level nor an ultra-premium card—it sits comfortably in the middle. For those who want a mix of rewards, lifestyle perks, and travel benefits at a reasonable annual fee, it’s still a strong contender. But if you’re expecting luxury-level privileges or maximum cashback, you might want to explore newer alternatives.
In short: If you travel often, spend consistently above ₹3 lakh a year, and prefer flexibility in redeeming points, the HDFC Regalia Credit Card can still be a rewarding addition to your wallet in 2025.
