HDFC Regalia Gold vs Standard Chartered Smart
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Standard Chartered Smart wins 5-4. Entry tier alternative — flat 2% on online spends. 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 | Standard Chartered Smart |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹2,500 | ₹499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹2,500 | ₹499 |
| Top reward rate | 25% (travel) | · 2% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 4% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher | = ₹500 Amazon voucher on first 30-day spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹400,000 / yr | ₹120,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,200,000 | ₹250,000 |
| Min credit score | · 770 | 720 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4/5 |
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
Standard Chartered Smart
- 2% cashback on online spends (capped at ₹100/month)
- 1% cashback on offline + bill payments
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Up to 15% off on partner restaurants (EazyDiner)
FAQ
›HDFC Regalia Gold vs Standard Chartered Smart: which is better?
Standard Chartered Smart 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, Standard Chartered Smart for online shopping. 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. Standard Chartered Smart: ₹500 Amazon voucher on first 30-day spend.