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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Regalia Activ vs SBI Card AURUM

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Regalia Activ

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,500
Base Rewards0.5333333333333334%
NetworkVisa
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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Regalia ActivSBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹2,500₹9,999
Joining Fee₹2,500₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹3,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5333333333333334%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Regalia Activ

  • 0% on SmartBuy Flights/Hotels — 5000 pts/month

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Regalia Activ

Pros

  • High reward rate of 1.33% on retail spends including insurance
  • Generous milestone rewards of up to 15,000 bonus points annually
  • Low foreign currency markup of 2% for international transactions
  • Comprehensive insurance cover including ₹1 Crore Air Accident Death cover

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹1 Lakh
  • Reward points are not earned on fuel, rent, and wallet transactions
  • Capping on reward points for insurance and grocery categories

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Regalia Activ could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose HDFC Bank Regalia Activ if

Offers low forex markup and both domestic and international lounge access.

Choose SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Regalia Activ or SBI Card AURUM?
SBI Card AURUM edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Regalia Activ could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Regalia Activ and SBI Card AURUM?
HDFC Bank Regalia Activ has an annual fee of ₹2,500, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. HDFC Bank Regalia Activ offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Regalia Activ or SBI Card AURUM?
HDFC Bank Regalia Activ offers a base reward rate of 0.5333333333333334% with accelerated rewards on SmartBuy Flights/Hotels. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Regalia Activ and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Regalia Activ and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Regalia Activ or SBI Card AURUM?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Regalia Activ may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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