HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

About HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Are you earning over ₹1.5 Lakhs a month but still using a basic credit card that gives you nothing back? If you are a high-income professional, your wallet deserves a card that matches your lifestyle and spending power.

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is designed for those who want a premium experience without the overly complex reward structures of super-luxury cards. By spending ₹33,000 to ₹35,000 monthly, you can easily hit the ₹4 Lakhs annual spend target to wipe out your renewal fees. It is a straightforward way to turn your regular lifestyle expenses into tangible value.

Built for professionals and business owners earning ₹18 Lakhs or more annually, this card offers a solid middle ground between entry-level cards and high-end invite-only variants. It focuses on rewarding consistent spending across a variety of categories while providing a clear path to fee waivers.

What sets it apart:

• Effective Zero Cost Joining: The ₹2,500 joining fee is returned to you as a ₹2,500 welcome voucher, making the entry cost virtually zero.
• High Income Entry: Unlike basic cards, this requires a minimum monthly income of ₹1,50,000, ensuring a premium user base and better service.
• Accessible Fee Waiver: You can get the annual fee waived by spending ₹4 Lakhs in a year, which is quite achievable for the target income bracket.

Quick check: To qualify, you will need a minimum monthly income of ₹1,50,000 (₹18 Lakhs per year) and a CRIF score of 750 or higher.

Let's break down why this card stands out in the premium segment:

Key Benefits and Fee Structures of HDFC Regalia Gold

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card focuses on providing value through reward points and milestone-based fee waivers. Unlike some cards that hide their benefits behind complicated tiers, the Regalia Gold keeps its primary value proposition clear.

Welcome and Activation Benefits

When you first get the card, HDFC helps you offset the initial cost. You are charged a joining fee of ₹2,500 plus applicable taxes, but this is effectively covered by a ₹2,500 welcome voucher. This voucher is redeemable across select partner brands via the bank's portal. To ensure you stay eligible for rewards, you must make a minimum transaction of at least ₹100 within the first 30 days of card issuance. Failing to do this might disqualify you from receiving the initial reward benefits.

Annual Fees and Simple Waivers

The annual fee for the HDFC Regalia Gold is ₹2,500. For a card in this income bracket, the waiver condition is quite reasonable. If you spend ₹4 Lakhs or more within your card anniversary year, the bank waives the ₹2,500 fee for the following year. This averages out to a monthly spend of approximately ₹33,334. If you use this card for your primary lifestyle expenses, hitting this milestone is straightforward.

Understanding the Reward System

The card operates on a Reward Point (RP) system where 1 RP is valued at ₹0.20. You can use these points to book travel or buy products through the SmartBuy Portal. While many cards offer higher conversion rates for specific categories, the Regalia Gold offers a stable redemption experience. You can browse the redemption options at the SmartBuy portal to see which vouchers or products fit your needs.

Important Spend Exclusions

To maximize your benefits, you need to know where the card does not earn rewards. The HDFC Regalia Gold has a comprehensive list of exclusions. You will not earn points on:

• Wallet loads and cash withdrawals
• Rent payments and utility bill payments
• Government and statutory payments
• Insurance premium payments
• Education fees and railway ticket bookings
• Fuel transactions (though these often come with a surcharge waiver)
• EMI transactions and gift card or voucher purchases
• Cryptocurrency, gambling, or lottery-related transactions

Eligibility Requirements

This card is not for everyone. The bank maintains strict eligibility criteria to ensure the card remains premium:

• Age for Salaried: You must be between 21 and 60 years old.
• Age for Self-Employed: The range is slightly wider, from 21 to 65 years.
• Income: You need a minimum annual income of ₹18 LPA. For salaried individuals, this translates to a monthly take-home of ₹1,50,000.
• Credit History: A CRIF score of 750 or above is mandatory for a successful application.

How to Apply for HDFC Regalia Gold

The application process for the HDFC Regalia Gold is primarily digital and straightforward. Follow these steps to start your application:

1. Visit the Official Portal: Go to the HDFC Bank website or use the Traqkarr link provided by your authorized partner.
2. Enter Personal Details: Provide your mobile number and PAN card details to initiate the verification process.
3. Verify Income Eligibility: Step 2 requires you to confirm your income. Ensure you meet the ₹1,50,000 monthly income requirement for salaried roles or ₹18 LPA for self-employed status.
4. Check Your Credit Score: The bank will pull your CRIF report. Having a score of 750 or higher at this stage is crucial for moving forward.
5. Select the Card: Once your eligibility is pre-screened, select the Regalia Gold from the available options. The bank might offer a different variant if you do not meet the specific criteria for the Gold version.
6. Complete KYC: You will likely need to complete a Video KYC or schedule a physical document pickup for verification.
7. Card Activation: Once you receive the card, make a transaction of at least ₹100 within 30 days to activate all reward features.

Credit Limit and What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and banking relationship. Credit limits typically range from ₹3,00,000 to ₹5,00,000 for applicants meeting the ₹1.5 Lakh monthly income criteria. Since this card requires an 18 LPA income, the starting credit limits are substantial, often catering to high-value monthly spends. Your limit may be increased periodically if you maintain a clean repayment record and show consistent usage within your existing limit.

Comparison with Top Premium Credit Cards

When choosing a card with a ₹2,500 annual fee, it is important to see how it stacks up against other cards in the same category. Here is a look at the HDFC Regalia Gold compared to some of its closest competitors.

The HDFC Regalia Gold is the clear winner for individuals who want a premium card with a highly achievable fee waiver. While cards like Axis Atlas offer better rewards for travelers, the Regalia Gold provides a smoother path to a free card experience if you spend around ₹34,000 monthly. If you are looking for a massive welcome bonus, the SBI Elite or ICICI Sapphiro might look better on paper, but their ongoing maintenance costs and waiver targets are significantly higher.

Documents Required for HDFC Regalia Gold Application

You will need to submit the following documents when applying for this card to prove your identity and income status:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Rent Agreement.
• Income Proof: Your latest 3 months' salary slips showing a monthly income of at least ₹1,50,000 and 6 months' bank statements.
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or an official employment letter.

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID.
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Property Documents.
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with a computation of income showing at least ₹18 LPA, and 6 months' bank statements.
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration, or Shop Act License.

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during the verification process to confirm your CRIF score details or business stability.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most from the HDFC Regalia Gold:

The High-Earning Professional: You are an IT manager or a corporate lawyer earning ₹1.6 Lakhs monthly. You want a card that looks prestigious but does not cost you a fortune in annual fees. Since you already spend roughly ₹40,000 a month on dining, shopping, and fuel, you will naturally hit the ₹4 Lakhs waiver target, making this card effectively free for you every year.

The Practical Business Owner: You run a business with an annual ITR of ₹20 Lakhs. You want a card that provides a simple reward structure for your personal spends. You do not want to spend hours tracking categories or rotating five different cards. You prefer a single, reliable card from a major bank like HDFC that offers a straightforward redemption portal for your family vacations.

The Milestone Chaser: You are someone who plans your spends. You know that by putting your big-ticket purchases (like electronics or jewelry) on this card, you can easily surpass the spend milestones. You value the fact that the joining fee is returned as a voucher, giving you immediate value from day one.

You might want to skip this card if:

• Your monthly income is below ₹1.5 Lakhs, as you likely will not meet the eligibility criteria.
• Your primary expenses are rent, utilities, and school fees, as these are excluded from earning rewards.
• You are looking for a card specifically for airport lounge access or high-end travel insurance, as these features are limited compared to super-premium travel cards.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the HDFC Regalia Gold excels at being a balanced premium card. It does not try to be the "best at everything," but instead focuses on a specific sweet spot: high-income earners who want an achievable fee waiver. Many cards in the ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 fee range have waiver targets of ₹6 Lakhs to ₹10 Lakhs, which can be hard to reach. The ₹4 Lakhs target on this card is much more realistic for a household earning ₹18 LPA.

The biggest limitation of this card is the extensive list of exclusions. In today's economy, a huge chunk of monthly spending goes toward rent, utilities, and insurance. The fact that the Regalia Gold excludes all of these from rewards is a significant drawback. If you spend ₹50,000 a month but ₹30,000 of that is rent and electricity, you will find it hard to accumulate points quickly.

Our verdict: Choose the HDFC Regalia Gold if you already have a strong banking relationship with HDFC and want a card that is easy to maintain. It is a "set it and forget it" card for high earners. However, if you are a "reward maximizer" who wants points on every single rupee spent, including bills and rent, you might find this card's restrictions frustrating. It is a solid, professional choice, but not a revolutionary one.

Terms and Conditions

Before you apply, keep these specific terms in mind for the HDFC Regalia Gold:

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Carefully read the features of the specific card offered before you submit your final application.
• A minimum transaction of ₹100 is mandatory within the first 30 days of receiving your card. If you miss this window, you will not be eligible for the rewards or welcome benefits.
• Reward points are valid for 2 years from the date of accumulation, so ensure you redeem them within this timeframe.
• The annual fee waiver is calculated based on the card anniversary year, not the calendar year.
• Comprehensive terms governing the card usage and fees are detailed in the MITC document provided with your welcome kit.