The HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card is consistently ranked among the best travel credit cards in India. For Indian travellers who frequently book flights on MakeMyTrip or Cleartrip, it offers one of the highest reward rates available on any mid-range card. But is it right for you?
This is a complete, unbiased review of the HDFC Regalia for flight bookings — everything from earn rates and lounge access to redemption value and hidden charges.
HDFC Regalia — Key Features at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹2,500 + GST (waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend) |
| Welcome benefit | 2,500 reward points (worth approx. ₹625) |
| Base earn rate | 4 points per ₹150 spent |
| Travel earn rate | 5X on MakeMyTrip (20 points per ₹150) |
| Domestic lounges | 12 complimentary visits per year |
| International lounges | 6 Priority Pass visits per year |
| Forex markup | 2% + GST |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on transactions ₹400-₹5,000 |
| Insurance | Air accident cover up to ₹1 crore |
| Global concierge | 24x7 dedicated service |
How Much Can You Earn on Flight Bookings?
The HDFC Regalia earns reward points at a 5X accelerated rate when you book through MakeMyTrip using this card. This means you earn 20 points per ₹150 spent instead of the regular 4 points.
Real calculation on a Delhi to Dubai booking
Let's say you book a ₹18,000 flight on MakeMyTrip with HDFC Regalia:
- Points earned: 18,000 ÷ 150 × 20 = 2,400 points
- Value at standard redemption (₹0.25 per point): ₹600
- Value at premium redemption against air miles (₹0.35-0.50 per point): ₹840-₹1,200
- Effective cashback rate: 3.3% to 6.6%
💡 The best way to use Regalia points is to redeem them against airline miles or for flight booking cashback on the HDFC SmartBuy portal — not for product vouchers where the value drops significantly.
Lounge Access — What You Actually Get
The HDFC Regalia provides 12 domestic lounge visits per year through the RuPay or Visa network. This works at over 30 lounges across major Indian airports including Delhi Terminal 3, Mumbai Terminal 2, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata.
For international travel, you get 6 Priority Pass visits per year. Priority Pass covers over 1,400 lounges worldwide. Once you exhaust your complimentary visits, additional visits cost $35 (approximately ₹2,900) each.
⚠️ Lounge access with Regalia is per-card, not per-trip. If you travel twice a month domestically you will exhaust your 12 visits quickly. Consider upgrading to Regalia Gold for more visits if you're a frequent flyer.
Reward Points Redemption — The Smart Way
Most cardholders make the mistake of redeeming Regalia points for product vouchers or cashback which gives the lowest value. Here's the hierarchy from best to worst:
- Air miles transfer: Convert to Jet Airways BlueDays, IndiGo BlueDays, or international programmes at ₹0.35-₹0.50 per point
- HDFC SmartBuy flight booking: Redeem at ₹0.35 per point against flight bookings
- Hotel bookings: ₹0.30-₹0.35 per point value
- Statement credit: ₹0.25 per point — avoid this unless you need cash
- Product vouchers: Often only ₹0.20 per point — worst value
HDFC Regalia vs Regalia Gold vs Regalia First
| Card | Annual Fee | Domestic Lounge | Int'l Lounge | 5X Categories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regalia | ₹2,500 | 12 visits | 6 visits | MakeMyTrip |
| Regalia Gold | ₹5,000 | Unlimited | 12 visits | MMT + Swiggy + Amazon |
| Regalia First | ₹1,000 | 4 visits | None | Limited |
For most travellers who fly 6-12 times per year, Regalia Gold is worth the higher fee because unlimited domestic lounge access alone saves ₹3,000-₹6,000 per year versus the ₹2,500 extra annual fee.
Who Should Get the HDFC Regalia?
The Regalia is ideal for you if:
- You book flights on MakeMyTrip 4+ times per year
- You travel domestically and want 12 lounge visits included
- You spend ₹3 lakh+ per year on the card (annual fee waived)
- You want a solid mid-tier card without premium card fees
- You are building up to a premium card and want to establish credit history
The Regalia is NOT ideal if:
- You book most flights on Cleartrip or EaseMyTrip (MakeMyTrip 5X benefit won't apply)
- You make many international transactions (2% forex markup adds up)
- You want to maximise miles for business class redemptions (Axis Magnus is better)
- You spend under ₹3 lakh per year (annual fee won't be waived)
HDFC Regalia vs Axis Magnus for Flight Bookings
| Factor | HDFC Regalia | Axis Magnus |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹2,500 | ₹12,500 |
| Base earn rate | 4 pts per ₹150 | 35 EDGE Miles per ₹100 |
| Travel earn rate | 5X on MakeMyTrip | 35 EDGE Miles everywhere |
| Effective cashback (travel) | 3.3-6.6% | 5-7% |
| International lounge | 6 Priority Pass visits | Unlimited Priority Pass |
| Travel insurance | ₹1 crore air accident | ₹1 crore comprehensive |
| Forex markup | 2% | 2% |
| Best for | Mid-range travellers | Frequent premium travellers |
Unless you spend more than ₹8 lakh per year on travel, the Regalia's lower annual fee makes it the better value pick. The Magnus only makes mathematical sense if you are a very frequent traveller maximising miles for business class redemptions.
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Get My Card Recommendation Free →How to Apply for HDFC Regalia
You can apply directly on the HDFC Bank website or through partner platforms. Eligibility requires:
- Age: 21 to 65 years
- Minimum income: ₹1.2 lakh per month (salaried) or ₹2 lakh per month (self-employed)
- Good credit score: 750+ CIBIL recommended
- Existing HDFC banking relationship helps but is not mandatory
Processing time is typically 7-14 working days after document submission.