Since 2011, the original Regalia Credit Card has been HDFC’s flagship premium card, typically issued with a generous credit limit of ₹3 lakh and above. As the Regalia name gained popularity, HDFC introduced Regalia First as an entry-level option within the Regalia family to serve applicants who do not qualify for the original Regalia.
Regalia Vs Regalia First Credit Card
Many readers have asked about the differences between Regalia and Regalia First, so this article summarizes the key distinctions to help you decide which card suits your needs.
Table of Contents
- 1. Joining Fees
- 2. Eligibility
- 3. Reward Rate
- 4. Spend-Based Milestones
- 5. Airport Lounge Access
- 6. Credit Limit
- 7. Credit Shield
1. Joining Fees
- Regalia: ₹2,500
- Regalia First: ₹1,000
Often the first-year fee may be waived, depending on current bank offers and promotions.
2. Eligibility
- Regalia: ₹1,20,000 annual income
- Regalia First: ₹40,000 annual income
Although Regalia’s stated eligibility appears higher, cardholders who start with Regalia First can often be upgraded to Regalia if their spends and account behavior justify it.
3. Reward Rate
- Regalia: 1.3%
- Regalia First: 0.8%
In practical terms, on ₹1,00,000 of spend you would earn points equivalent to roughly ₹1,300 with Regalia versus about ₹800 with Regalia First.
4. Spend-Based Milestones
- Regalia: Up to 15,000 points on ₹8 lakh annual spend
- Regalia First: Up to 7,500 points on ₹6 lakh annual spend
If you maintain higher ongoing spends, milestones and their rewards become an important factor when choosing between the two cards.
5. Airport Lounge Access
- Regalia: 12 domestic + 6 international lounge visits
- Regalia First: 8 domestic + 3 international lounge visits
For frequent travelers, lounge access allowances represent a significant benefit and a notable difference between the cards.
6. Credit Limit
- Regalia: ₹3 lakh and above
- Regalia First: ₹1 lakh – ₹3 lakh
Credit limit is tied to eligibility, income, and spending behavior. As a general rule: higher income and consistent spends increase the likelihood of a larger credit limit and access to premium cards.
7. Credit Shield
- Regalia: ₹9 lakh
- Regalia First: ₹5 lakh
Credit shield limits differ between the variants and may influence your choice if you require higher emergency coverage linked to the card.
To explore benefits and features in greater detail, look for dedicated reviews of each card. Note that HDFC has positioned Regalia First as a successor to the Allmiles card; Allmiles holders were commonly migrated or offered upgrades to Regalia First when Allmiles stopped being issued.
What are your thoughts on Regalia versus Regalia First? Share your experience or questions in the comments below.