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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card vs HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card

7/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
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HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

6.2/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.2666666666666667%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit CardHDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card
Annual Fee₹500₹500
Joining Fee₹1,000₹500
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,50,000₹1,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.125%0.2666666666666667%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7/106.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

  • 0% on Grocery — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Utility Bills — 500 pts/month
  • 0% on Fuel — 500 pts/month

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card

Pros

  • Earn 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on retail transactions.
  • 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter on spending ₹75,000 in the previous quarter.
  • 25% discount up to ₹100 on movie tickets via BookMyShow and INOX twice monthly.
  • 15% savings on dining bills at over 2,500 partner restaurants via ICICI Culinary Treats.

Cons

  • High quarterly spend requirement of ₹75,000 for lounge access.
  • Low reward redemption value of ₹0.25 per point.
  • No international lounge access included.

HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card

Pros

  • 3X Reward Points on grocery, supermarkets, and utility bills.
  • Monthly milestone bonus of 500 points on spending ₹20,000.
  • Annual fee waiver on a relatively low spend of ₹1 Lakh.
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India.

Cons

  • Low reward point value of ₹0.20 per point.
  • Accelerated rewards are capped at 500 points per month.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access.

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card if

Ideal for NRIs who frequently visit India and want to earn rewards on local spends and enjoy dining/movie perks.

Choose HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card if

Specifically designed for Equitas customers looking for an entry-level rewards card.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card or HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card?
ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card and HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card?
ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,50,000 annual spend. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card or HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card?
ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.125%. HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card offers 0.2666666666666667% base rewards with bonuses on Grocery and Utility Bills. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card and HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card and HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card or HDFC Bank Equitas Excite Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank NRI Coral Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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