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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Regalia First vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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 First

5.5/10
Annual Fee₹1,000
Base Rewards0.6%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹12,499
Base Rewards3%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Regalia FirstICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,000₹12,499
Joining Fee₹1,000₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.6%3%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating5.5/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Regalia First

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

  • 0% on Hotels via iShop
  • 0% on Flights via iShop

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank Regalia First

Pros

  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 2% compared to standard 3.5%
  • Reward points can be redeemed for flights and hotels at a value of ₹0.30 per point
  • Comprehensive insurance cover including ₹50 Lakh Air Accident Death Cover
  • Milestone bonus of up to 7,500 Reward Points on annual spends of ₹6 Lakhs

Cons

  • Complimentary airport lounge access (domestic and international) has been discontinued since Dec 2023
  • Base reward rate reduced to 3 RP per ₹150 spent from Sep 2024
  • Card is no longer available for new applications

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders.
  • High base reward rate of 3% (6 points per ₹200) with 1:1 redemption value on travel.
  • Comprehensive welcome benefits including Taj Epicure Plus and EazyDiner Prime memberships.
  • Zero late payment, overlimit, and cash advance fees.

Cons

  • High card replacement fee of ₹3,500 for the metal variant.
  • Taj Epicure membership is only for the first year and not renewed annually.
  • BookMyShow benefit now requires a quarterly spend of ₹25,000 (effective 2026).

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Regalia First could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose HDFC Bank Regalia First if

Existing users who spend moderately and want a low-fee card with decent travel redemption value.

Choose ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if

Exclusive invite-only access with premium lifestyle and concierge services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Regalia First or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Regalia First could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank Regalia First and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
HDFC Bank Regalia First has an annual fee of ₹1,000, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. HDFC Bank Regalia First offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Regalia First or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
HDFC Bank Regalia First offers a base reward rate of 0.6%. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers 3% base rewards with bonuses on Hotels via iShop and Flights via iShop. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Regalia First and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Regalia First and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Regalia First or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, HDFC Bank Regalia First may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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