If you hold this card: You keep the classic Regalia and can renew it — only new applications have stopped. HDFC may offer to move you to the Regalia Gold at renewal.
HDFC gradually phased out the classic Regalia over 2022–2023, transitioning its sub-₹5,000 premium line to the Regalia Gold, which now supersedes it for new customers. No single cutover date was announced.
View the active card — HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card →In-depth review
HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card
The card that taught a generation of Indians what Priority Pass and a decent reward rate felt like is now history — discontinued for new applicants, superseded by the Regalia Gold, and quietly carried by millions who have no reason to cancel. If you hold one (especially fee-free), keep it. If you want an HDFC card in this band today, the Regalia Gold is the answer.
Read the full review →Key features
What this card is built to do — the highlights that actually matter.
Welcome Benefit
~₹1,250 in vouchers, points or cashback in year one — usually conditional on a first spend within 30–90 days
1% on Other
4 reward points per ₹200 (~1.00% at ₹0.50/point) — rebased from 4 RP/₹150 on 15 May 2026. Grocery, utility, telecom and insurance each cap at 2,000 RP a calendar month.
1% on Travel
4 reward points per ₹200 on travel — the base rate, since HDFC publishes no travel accelerator beyond SmartBuy. Booking flights, hotels and vouchers through HDFC SmartBuy earns up to 5X instead.
Airport Lounge Access
Priority Pass for international lounges (6 complimentary visits a year); since Dec 2023 domestic lounge access is spend-gated — ₹1 lakh spend/quarter unlocks up to 2 domestic visits that quarter. Cash advances, card fees and all EMI spends do not count toward that gate.
Annual Fee Waiver
Fee of ₹2,500 + 18% GST (₹2,950 all-in)/yr fully waived when you spend ₹3,00,000/year
Milestone Bonus
~₹2,500 in bonus rewards on hitting annual spend milestones
Insurance Cover
Accidental air death cover of ₹1 crore, emergency overseas hospitalisation up to ₹15 lakh, and lost-card liability cover up to ₹9 lakh. The travel cover is international-only, capped at a 30-day trip, and is not valid for procuring a visa.
✈️ TRAVEL BENEFITS
Lounge access, miles, forex rates and travel perks at a glance.
AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS
8 visits/yr
Domestic lounges
Priority Pass
International lounges
₹8,000
Estimated annual value
3.5%
Forex markup
1.0%
Travel reward rate
- Domestic + international airport lounge access (8 domestic visits/yr, worth ~₹8,000)
- Travel insurance cover included
👑 PREMIUM LIFESTYLE BENEFITS
Concierge, golf, hotel membership and high-value perks for premium cardholders.
₹5,000
Milestone bonus value
- Travel insurance and accident cover
- 10,000 bonus reward points on ₹5 lakh of spend in an anniversary year
Existing Regalia holders deciding whether to keep it. New applicants should look at the Regalia Gold instead.
Full reward structure
What you earn on every rupee, per spend category — as of 24 Oct 2026. Rates assume 1 pt = ₹0.50. How we value points →
| Category | Type | Rate | Monthly cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other | reward points | 1%2 pts/₹100 × ₹0.50 | — |
| Travel | reward points | 1%2 pts/₹100 × ₹0.50 | — |
Other: 4 reward points per ₹200 (~1.00% at ₹0.50/point) — rebased from 4 RP/₹150 on 15 May 2026. Grocery, utility, telecom and insurance each cap at 2,000 RP a calendar month.
Travel: 4 reward points per ₹200 on travel — the base rate, since HDFC publishes no travel accelerator beyond SmartBuy. Booking flights, hotels and vouchers through HDFC SmartBuy earns up to 5X instead.
Earns nothing on: Rent · Government & Tax · Fuel · Wallet Loads · EMI Conversions
These spends earn no rewards at all — not a reduced rate, and not the base rate. They are also normally left out of any milestone or fee-waiver calculation.
Fees & charges
The numbers that matter beyond rewards — verify on the issuer site before applying. Fees below are shown inclusive of 18% GST, as of 24 Oct 2026.
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Annual fee (incl. 18% GST) | ₹2,950 |
| Joining fee (incl. 18% GST) | ₹2,950 |
| Renewal benefitCredited each year the annual fee is charged; none in a year it is waived on ₹3,00,000 of spend. | ≈ ₹1,250 |
| Finance charge (APR) | 3.75% p.m. |
| Forex markup | 3.5% |
Perks & benefits
Estimated annual value beyond rewards — ~₹18,100/yr in total.
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of ₹400–₹5,000, capped ₹500 per statement cycle; fuel spends themselves earn no reward points
Accidental air death cover of ₹1 crore, emergency overseas hospitalisation up to ₹15 lakh, and lost-card liability cover up to ₹9 lakh. The travel cover is international-only, capped at a 30-day trip, and is not valid for procuring a visa.
Priority Pass for international lounges (6 complimentary visits a year); since Dec 2023 domestic lounge access is spend-gated — ₹1 lakh spend/quarter unlocks up to 2 domestic visits that quarter. Cash advances, card fees and all EMI spends do not count toward that gate.
A further 5,000 bonus reward points on ₹8 lakh of spend in the same anniversary year
10,000 bonus reward points on ₹5 lakh of spend in an anniversary year
Milestone ladder
- ₹5,00,000 a year₹5,000 of value
- ₹8,00,000 a year₹2,500 of value
Should you get it?
- Best for: Existing Regalia holders who are satisfied and have no reason to switch, Salaried professionals at ₹1L+/month who qualify but prefer Regalia brand over Gold
- Premium tier — a solid all-rounder for steady monthly spend.
- Strongest value if you spend heavily on everyday spends (1% back).
- Frequent travellers benefit from the included airport lounge access.
Pros & cons
✓ Pros
- Priority Pass membership — 6 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- Annual fee waived at ₹3L spend — achievable for most professionals
- 10,000 bonus reward points at ₹5 lakh of annual spend, plus 5,000 more at ₹8 lakh
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver + air accident insurance
✕ Cons
- Closed to new applicants — HDFC's premium accelerators have moved to the Regalia Gold
- Priority Pass visits capped at 6/year — frequent flyers will exceed this, then pay US$27 + GST a visit
- Base earn was rebased from 4 RP/₹150 to 4 RP/₹200 on 15 May 2026, cutting the return to ~1.00%
- 3.5% forex markup
- Redemption is capped at 70% of a booking's value, and at 50,000 reward points a calendar month
- Grocery, utility, telecom and insurance each stop earning at 2,000 reward points a month
- Fuel, rent, government payments, wallet loads and EMI conversions earn nothing at all
Eligibility & documents
This is the figure for salaried applicants. Where HDFC Bank sets a separate one for the self-employed, its own eligibility page gives it.
How to redeem rewards
Ways to convert what you earn into real value.
- 🎁SmartBuy flight and hotel bookings at ₹0.50 a point — the best route, but capped at 70% of the booking value and at 50,000 reward points a calendar month
- 🎁Products and vouchers from the rewards catalogue, also capped at 70% of the total value
- 🎁Statement credit, worth materially less than the travel route
- 🎁Airmiles conversion
- 🎁Maximum 50,000 reward points can be EARNED in a statement cycle
What your HDFC Reward Points are worth
Realistic value per point by redemption route — the difference is what most people leave on the table.
Standard catalogue & cashback
Brand & e-gift vouchers
₹0.50/pt on travel via SmartBuy on most HDFC cards; Infinia, Infinia Metal and Diners Club Black redeem at ₹1 there
Premium cards (Infinia/Diners Black) — best value
✈ Transfer partners
Direct transfers from this card only, ranked by what a point is worth in the destination programme. Full calculator, every currency →
Regalia Gold is where HDFC has moved the premium line: partner-brand accelerators, SmartBuy multipliers and better lounge terms on the same ₹2,500 fee. It is not better on every metric though — the Gold's fee waiver is higher at ₹4 lakh (₹3 lakh here). But the 15 May 2026 rebase hit both: the Gold now earns 5 RP per ₹200 (~1.25%) against this card's 4 RP per ₹200 (~1.00%), so the classic has gone from marginally ahead to clearly behind. If you are applying fresh, go Gold — the classic Regalia is closed anyway.
Frequently asked questions
How has the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card changed over time?
Has the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card been devalued recently?
When did the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card's fees last change?
How did the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card change in 2026?
The bottom line
There is no way to get the classic Regalia new anymore — HDFC steers new customers to the Regalia Gold. For existing holders it remains a serviceable ~1.00% premium card with lounge access; just know the bank's focus (and benefits) have moved to the Gold.
How this page was built
Counted from this card’s own record: 2 earn rules, the spends listed as earning nothing and 5 recorded perks. The renewal fee is conditional — it is waived on a published spend target, so the fee you pay depends on what you spend.
Last updated 24 Oct 2026.
Sources & verification
Fees, reward rates, and benefits for the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card are taken from HDFC Bank's official Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC) and fee schedule — see the card's official page. Last updated 24 Oct 2026. Reviewed by Devchandra Sah. Always confirm current details on the issuer's site before applying. How we research →
Independence. CardAdvisor is an independent editorial publication. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, or authorised to act for HDFC Bank. All issuer names, product names, and payment-network marks are the property of their respective owners and appear here for identification and comparison only. Card faces shown on this site are our own original illustrations — we do not display or host issuer card artwork or logos.
Similar & related cards
Other cards worth comparing before you apply.
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Same tier with similar rewards
Landmark Rewards SBI Card PRIME
Comparable SBI option
IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card
Comparable IDFC option
IndiGo Axis Bank Premium Credit Card
Comparable AXIS option
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Comparable ICICI option
Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card
Comparable KOTAK option
Read more
Guides and reviews related to this card.
HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card
The card that taught a generation of Indians what Priority Pass and a decent reward rate felt like is now history — discontinued for new applicants, superseded by the Regalia Gold, and quietly carried by millions who have no reason to cancel. If you hold one (especially fee-free), keep it. If you want an HDFC card in this band today, the Regalia Gold is the answer.
HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card Review (2026): The Sensible Workhorse, Trimmed
Still HDFC's sensible first premium card — but the May 2026 devaluation trimmed the earn rate to ~1.25% and spend-gated domestic lounges. SmartBuy hotels at 12.5% and flights at 6.25% keep the effective return well above the headline.
Value timeline
Every real-world change to this card's rewards, fees and benefits we've tracked — newest first, each linked to its source.
Tracking since 2011 · last change May 2026
2026
- ▼ RewardEffective 15 May 2026
Base earn rebased from per Rs150 to per Rs200
4 Reward Points per Rs150 (~1.33% at 50p/point)→4 Reward Points per Rs200 (~1.00% at 50p/point)
HDFC's change notice effective 15 May 2026 states "Earlier, Reward Points were accrued on spends in multiples of Rs 150. This will now be revised to multiples of Rs 200", and its table lists the classic Regalia by name ("Regalia | 4 | 200") alongside Regalia Gold and Diners Privilege. The exemption list covers only Infinia, Infinia Metal, Diners Black, Diners Black Metal and BizBlack - the classic Regalia was NOT spared, contrary to what our own review previously stated. The card's product page carries a banner linking the notice. A ~25% cut to effective earn for existing holders.
Verification: HDFC Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
- ▼ FeeEffective 15 May 2026
Dynamic currency conversion markup raised to 1.75%
1% markup→1.75% markup
HDFC's MITC: "Dynamic currency conversion Markup Fee: With effect from 15th May 2026, a Markup fee of 1.75% will be levied on all transactions carried out in Indian Currency at an international location or at merchants which are located in India but registered overseas." This is separate from, and stacks on top of, the card's ordinary foreign-currency markup. It is the charge you pay for accepting a terminal's offer to bill you in rupees while abroad - always decline that offer and pay in the local currency. It also catches India-based purchases from merchants registered overseas, which is easy to trigger without leaving the country. The PIXEL MITC dates the same change 17 May 2026.
Verification: HDFC Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
2025
- ▼ FeeEffective 1 Jul 2025
1% fee added on rent, wallet loads and online gaming
No category surcharge on rent, wallet loads or gaming→1% on rent (cap Rs 4,999 per transaction); 1% on wallet loads and on online skill-based gaming above Rs 10,000 a calendar month (cap Rs 4,999 a month)
HDFC's MITC: "Rent Pay Transactions: W.e.f. 1st July 2025, 1% fee on transaction amount will be levied on rental transactions... Fee capped at Rs 4999 per transaction"; "Wallet Loading (excl PayZapp) - W.e.f. 1st July 2025, 1% fee will be levied on Wallet loading spends exceeding Rs 10,000 in a calendar month"; "Online Skill based Gaming - W.e.f. 1st July 2025, 1% fee... exceeding Rs 10,000 in a calendar month". These are charges on top of the fact that most HDFC cards already earn zero reward points on the same categories - you pay to spend, and earn nothing for it. PayZapp wallet loads are exempt from the wallet fee.
Verification: HDFC Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
- ▼ FeeEffective 1 Jul 2025
1% fee on utilities above Rs 50,000 and on third-party education payments
No surcharge on utility or education payments→1% on utility spends above Rs 50,000 a calendar month (cap Rs 4,999 a month); 1% on education paid through third-party apps
HDFC's MITC: "Utility Charges: 1% fee will be levied on utility spends exceeding Rs 50,000 per Calendar month for consumer cards... Fee capped at Rs 4999 per month"; "Education Charges: 1% fee... on Education transactions done through third party applications like (but not limited to) CRED, Nobroker, Cheq etc." Paying school or college fees DIRECTLY to the institution is not charged - only routing them through a third-party app is. A 1% fee also applies to fuel transactions above Rs 15,000.
Verification: HDFC Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
- ▼ RewardEffective 1 Jul 2025
Insurance reward points capped, online gaming stops earning
Insurance uncapped on most cards; online skill-based gaming earned points→Insurance capped at 2,000 reward points a month (5,000 on Diners Black, 10,000 on Infinia); online skill-based gaming earns nothing
HDFC's MITC: "With effect from 1st July 2025, Reward Points accrued for insurance transactions will have a maximum cap of... 2000 per month for all other credit cards" and "With effect from 1st July 2025, Online Skill-Based gaming transactions will not earn Reward Points/CashPoints on all the cards." Insurance premiums are a common way to hit a milestone quickly, so the cap matters more than its size suggests.
Verification: HDFC Bank ↗ · Confidence: High
Each change links to the issuer's own document — bank T&C, MITC, notice, press release or product page — where one is public. Where the bank published nothing, it's marked CardAdvisor Research and verified against the card's current terms. Independent of the live terms shown above. This timeline is one card's slice of our market-wide change record across every tracked card.
</> Embed this timeline on your site
Free to use. Facts only — dates, changes and before/after values. Please keep the credit line below the frame: it's the only part search engines can see, and it's what we ask for in return.
“ Cite this timeline
Quoting a date or a before/after figure? Copy the HTML version — it credits the record with a working link.
Source: <a href="https://cardadvisor.in/cards/hdfc-regalia#value-timeline">HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card value timeline</a>, CardAdvisor (CC BY 4.0).