HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs Kotak White Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins 4-2. Marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 Bonvoy points on Marriott + 2 elsewhere. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | Kotak White Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = ₹3,000 | = ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | = ₹3,000 | = ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | 8% (travel) | · 4% (dining) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1.5% |
| Forex markup | = 1.99% | = 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹800,000 / yr | ₹600,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,500,000 | · ₹1,800,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
FAQ
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs Kotak White Reserve: which is better?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories, Kotak White Reserve for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite.