HDFC Regalia Gold vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Regalia Gold wins 9-0. Mid-tier travel + dining without the Diners Black price tag Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Regalia Gold | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹2,500 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹2,500 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 25% (travel) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 4% | · 3.3% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹400,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,200,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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 Ultimate
- 5 reward points per ₹150 (effectively 3.3%)
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- BookMyShow buy-1-get-1
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Comprehensive travel + purchase insurance
FAQ
›HDFC Regalia Gold vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
HDFC Regalia Gold wins on more dimensions (9 vs 0). 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 Ultimate 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. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.