Both HDFC Regalia and SBI Card ELITE are top-tier travel credit cards in India. But which one gives you better value for money? Whether you fly frequently, stay in luxury hotels, or want the best airport lounge access, choosing the right card can save you thousands. Let’s do a detailed analysis of HDFC Regalia vs SBI Elite for 2026.
| Feature | HDFC Regalia | SBI Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹2,500 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Lounge Access | 6 international + 12 domestic | 6 domestic/quarter via Visa/Mastercard |
| Welcome Gift | ₹2,500 worth of reward points | ₹5,000 e-gift voucher |
| Reward Rate | 4 points/₹150 (2.6% est.) | 2–5 points/₹100 (2.5% est.) |
| Air Miles Conversion | Yes (Regalia portal) | Yes (Club Vistara, Air India) |
| Other Benefits | Insurance, Concierge, Golf | Movie tickets, Club Vistara Silver |
| Spend-based Waiver | ₹3L/year | ₹10L/year |
| Criteria | Winner |
|---|---|
| Domestic Lounges | SBI Elite (24/year vs Regalia’s 12/year) |
| International Lounges | Regalia (6/year with Priority Pass) |
| Family Access | SBI Elite (Add-on cards can access lounges) |
Verdict:
| Detail | Regalia | Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Fee | ₹2,500 | ₹4,999 |
| Spend Waiver | ₹3,00,000 | ₹10,00,000 |
Verdict:
Regalia is easier to maintain with a lower waiver requirement. Elite is more suitable for high-spending individuals.
Verdict:
Regalia offers simpler, better travel redemptions, while Elite has better category-wise rewards.
| Perk | HDFC Regalia | SBI Elite |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Bonus | ₹2,500 in reward points | ₹5,000 voucher (Yatra, Bata, etc.) |
| Golf Access | Yes | Yes |
| Movie Perks | No | Up to ₹6,000/year via BookMyShow |
| Concierge & Insurance | Yes | Yes |
Verdict:
SBI Elite packs in more lifestyle extras like movie tickets and premium vouchers, great for family users.
| You are… | Pick this card |
|---|---|
| A salaried professional traveling 2–3 times/year | HDFC Regalia |
| A frequent domestic flyer (6–10 trips/year) | SBI Elite |
| Someone wanting international lounge access | HDFC Regalia |
| A movie lover or Club Vistara user | SBI Elite |
| Prefer lower fees and simple rewards | HDFC Regalia |
If you want a balanced card with lower fees, easy travel redemptions, and international lounge access — go with HDFC Regalia. Apply for HDFC Regalia
If you want premium domestic travel perks, Club Vistara loyalty, and BookMyShow-style lifestyle offers — SBI Elite is your card. Apply for SBI Elite
Which has better lounge access, HDFC Regalia or SBI Elite?
SBI Elite wins on domestic lounges (24/year vs. 12/year), while HDFC Regalia wins on international lounges (6/year via Priority Pass).
Which card has the lower annual fee?
HDFC Regalia, at ₹2,500 + GST versus SBI Elite’s ₹4,999 + GST — Regalia’s spend waiver threshold (₹3 lakh/year) is also easier to hit than Elite’s ₹10 lakh.
Is SBI Elite worth the higher annual fee?
If you’re a frequent domestic flyer who values movie perks and Club Vistara benefits, yes. If you travel internationally more or prefer lower fees, HDFC Regalia is the better value.
See also our full travel credit cards comparison for more options beyond these two.
nice and informative