Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
HDFC Regalia Gold vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
HDFC Bank
HDFC Regalia Gold
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI Pulse
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
SBI Pulse wins 5-4. Health/fitness focused — smartwatch + wellness benefits. HDFC Regalia Gold is still the right call if mid-tier travel + dining without the diners black price tag.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Regalia Gold | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹2,500 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹2,500 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 25% (travel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 4% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹400,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,200,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 770 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 3.9/5 |
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
SBI Pulse
- Free Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 smartwatch
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on chemists, dining, movies
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Cult.fit + 1mg discount partnerships
FAQ
›HDFC Regalia Gold vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
SBI Pulse wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). 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, SBI Pulse 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. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.