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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank Regalia First vs SBI Card ELITE

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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SBI Card

SBI Card ELITE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank Regalia FirstSBI Card ELITE
Annual Fee₹1,000₹4,999
Joining Fee₹1,000₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.6%0.5%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSBI Reward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating5.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank Regalia First

No accelerated rewards listed

SBI Card ELITE

  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Departmental Stores
  • 0.62% on Grocery

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

SBI Card ELITE

Pros

  • Complimentary movie tickets worth ₹6,000 annually (₹500 per month).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99% compared to the standard 3.5%.
  • High milestone rewards of up to 50,000 bonus points worth ₹12,500.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 6 international visits per year.

Cons

  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹10 Lakhs.
  • Base reward rate is relatively low at 0.5% for a premium card.
  • Club Vistara and Trident memberships have been discontinued for new users.

Our Verdict

SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE if

The monthly ₹500 movie ticket benefit effectively covers the annual fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank Regalia First or SBI Card ELITE?
SBI Card ELITE 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 SBI Card ELITE?
HDFC Bank Regalia First has an annual fee of ₹1,000, while SBI Card ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. HDFC Bank Regalia First offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank Regalia First or SBI Card ELITE?
HDFC Bank Regalia First offers a base reward rate of 0.6%. SBI Card ELITE offers 0.5% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Departmental Stores. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank Regalia First and SBI Card ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank Regalia First and SBI Card ELITE can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank Regalia First or SBI Card ELITE?
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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