HDFC Regalia Gold vs ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Regalia Gold wins 6-2. Mid-tier travel + dining without the Diners Black price tag ICICI Emeralde Private Metal is still the right call if high-net-worth families wanting universal 6 icici points/₹100..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Regalia Gold | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹2,500 | · ₹12,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹2,500 | · ₹12,499 |
| Top reward rate | 25% (travel) | · 6% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 4% | 6% |
| Forex markup | = 2% | = 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher | = Taj Epicure / EazyDiner Prime / Times Prime annual membership |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹400,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,200,000 | · ₹5,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 800 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Regalia Gold
- 5x reward points on travel + dining via SmartBuy
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits per year (Priority Pass)
- 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- Annual memberships: Club Vistara Silver, MMT Black Elite
- Low forex markup: 2%
- Milestone benefits at ₹1.5L, ₹3L and ₹4L spend
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Unlimited domestic + international lounge access for self & guest
- 6 reward points per ₹100 across all categories
- Taj Epicure annual membership included
- 24x7 concierge + Golf privileges
- 2% forex markup
FAQ
›HDFC Regalia Gold vs ICICI Emeralde Private Metal: which is better?
HDFC Regalia Gold wins on more dimensions (6 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 Regalia Gold for its best categories, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Regalia Gold: 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal: Taj Epicure / EazyDiner Prime / Times Prime annual membership.