The verdict
An accessible entry into HDFC's prestigious Regalia ecosystem. Earning steady reward points on retail shopping alongside 8 domestic airport lounge visits per year and a low ₹1 Lakh fee waiver target makes this an attractive travel starter.
Spending ₹10,000/mo on retail (3,200 pts/yr = ₹960 travel value) + 4 domestic airport lounge visits (₹5,600 value) + saves ₹400 on fuel clears the ₹1L spend to waive the ₹1,000 fee, providing over ₹5,960 in net annual utility value (5.96× ROI).
No complimentary international airport lounge access and reward redemption is 1 pt = ₹0.30 (compared to ₹0.50 on Regalia Gold).
✓What works
- +Earn 4 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on all eligible domestic retail purchases.
- +8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 visits per calendar quarter).
- +Redeem reward points directly for flight and hotel bookings on HDFC SmartBuy at 1 pt = ₹0.30.
- +Annual renewal fee of ₹1,000 waived on spending ₹1,00,000 in the anniversary year.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on all petrol pumps in India on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000.
- +Complimentary add-on credit cards for spouse, parents, and children.
✕What doesn't
- −No complimentary international airport lounge access.
- −Reward redemption rate on travel is ₹0.30 per point.
- −Standard 3.5% + GST forex markup on international transactions.
What it earns
1 Reward Point = ₹0.30 when redeemed for flights and hotels on HDFC SmartBuy.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Domestic Retail Spends | 4 pts / ₹150 (0.80%) | Uncapped | 2,666 pts (₹800 value) |
| Fuel & Rent | 0% | Excluded | 0 pts |
Accelerated earn
4 Reward Points / ₹150 + 8 Domestic Airport Lounges
Enjoy premium airport lounge access and reward points on everyday spending.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail SpendsOn all retail purchases. | 4 pts / ₹150 · 0.80% | Uncapped | — |
| Airport LoungesAcross Indian airports. | 8 / year · 2 / quarter | 2 / qtr | — |
| Fee WaiverWaived at ₹1,00,000 spend. | 100% · ₹1,000 Waived | 1 / year | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on HDFC SmartBuy portal for flight tickets, hotels, or shopping gift cards.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SmartBuy Flights & HotelsBEST VALUE | ₹0.30 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | ₹99 + GST |
| Brand Shopping Vouchers | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | ₹99 + GST |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +General retail shopping, dining, grocery purchases.
- +8 domestic airport lounge visits.
- +SmartBuy travel bookings.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Rent payments.
- −Fuel purchases (1% surcharge waiver on ₹400–₹5,000).
- −Wallet load transactions.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹1,000 + GST |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹1,000 + GST (Waived at ₹1 Lakh spend) |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% + GST |
| Finance Charges | 3.49% / month (41.88% / year) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 21–60 years |
| Salaried Income | ₹40,000+ monthly net salary |
| Self-Employed Income | ITR above ₹5.0 Lakhs per annum |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card?
Who is HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card
The HDFC Regalia FIRST Credit Card serves as the entry gateway into HDFC Bank’s prestigious Regalia portfolio, tailored for early-career professionals and young executives seeking travel privileges and lifestyle rewards at an accessible cost. Issued at an annual fee of ₹1,000 + GST, the renewal fee is completely reversed upon spending ₹1,00,000 in qualifying retail purchases during the anniversary year.
Cardholders earn 4 Reward Points per ₹150 spent (0.80% return on travel) on general retail spending, complemented by 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits annually (2 visits per calendar quarter), a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, and exclusive dining discounts under HDFC’s Good Food Trail program.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
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8 Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounges: Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (8 visits per year) across major Indian airports.
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Straightforward Reward Accrual: Earn 4 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on retail purchases (1 RP = ₹0.30 on travel and SmartBuy catalogue).
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Low ₹1 Lakh Spend Waiver: The modest ₹1,00,000 annual spend hurdle ensures regular cardholders easily achieve 100% renewal fee reversal.
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1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Save on fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 across all petrol pumps in India (up to ₹250 per billing cycle).
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Dining Privileges: Access attractive dining discounts and culinary offers at partner restaurants through HDFC Bank’s Good Food Trail.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
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Modest Redemption Valuation: Points carry a valuation of ₹0.30 on flight/hotel bookings and catalog products, yielding an effective 0.80% return on retail spend.
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Domestic Lounges Only: Does not include complimentary international airport lounge visits or a free Priority Pass membership.
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Domestic Lounge Spend Criteria: Subject to HDFC Bank’s quarterly domestic lounge access spend requirements.
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Excluded Categories: Fuel purchases, rent payments, wallet reloads, and government taxes earn zero reward points.
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Standard 3.5% Forex Fee: International spends attract the standard 3.5% + GST foreign currency markup fee.
Who Benefits Most
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Young Salaried Professionals: Early-career executives looking for their first airport lounge credit card with an affordable ₹1,000 fee.
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Domestic Weekend Travelers: Cardholders taking 4 to 8 domestic flights a year who want complimentary lounge access across Indian metros.
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Budget-Conscious Everyday Spenders: Individuals spending ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 monthly who comfortably achieve the ₹1 Lakh renewal fee waiver.
- HDFC Bank — Regalia FIRST Credit Card schedule of charges
- HDFC SmartBuy travel redemption terms for Regalia series
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).