Kotak White Reserve vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins 4-2. Marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 Bonvoy points on Marriott + 2 elsewhere. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = ₹3,000 | = ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | = ₹3,000 | = ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (dining) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = 1.99% | = 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹600,000 / yr | · ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,800,000 | ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 770 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
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
›Kotak White Reserve vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins on more dimensions (4 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 Kotak White Reserve 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?
Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.