ICICI Coral vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
ICICI Coral wins 5-4. Entry-tier card — easy approval, decent base earning, low fee. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Coral | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 1% (general) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹150,000 / yr | · ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 770 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Coral
- 2 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- 15% off at 2,500+ partner restaurants (Culinary Treats)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Free movie tickets via BookMyShow (buy-1-get-1)
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
FAQ
›ICICI Coral vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
ICICI Coral 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 ICICI Coral for its best categories, HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
ICICI Coral: 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.