Axis Bank Select vs HDFC Bank Regalia Gold
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Axis Bank Select and HDFC Bank Regalia Gold differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank Select has an annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST against ₹2,500 + GST for HDFC Bank Regalia Gold, so HDFC Bank Regalia Gold is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank Select earns 10 EDGE Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spend while HDFC Bank Regalia Gold earns 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spends; complete ₹200 multiples. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold has the lower forex markup at 2%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank Select | HDFC Bank Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | HDFC Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹8,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹4,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 10 EDGE Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spend | 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spends; complete ₹200 multiples |
| Accelerated routes | retail shopping (first ₹20,000/mo) | 5X Reward Points on eligible direct merchant payments; incremental rewards capped at 5,000 points/month · Eligible grocery spend · Eligible utility and telecom spend |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, insurance, utility, jewellery, government, education | fuel, rent, property management, wallet load, easy emi, smart emi, government, gaming, education third party, cash advance, fees |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 2% |
| Domestic lounge | 2/quarter (₹50,000 spend in previous 3 months) | 3 visits/quarter after ₹60,000 spend in the preceding calendar quarter |
| International lounge | up to 12/yr through Priority Pass; membership renews after ₹3 lakh preceding anniversary-year spend | 6/year outside India via Priority Pass; at least 4 card transactions required before requesting membership |
| Card networks | Mastercard World | Visa Signature, Mastercard |
| Best suited to | lounge, grocery, premium lifestyle | travel, shopping, upper mid spender |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-07-26 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank Select better than the HDFC Bank Regalia Gold?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank Select charges ₹3,000 + GST a year and earns 10 EDGE Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spend; HDFC Bank Regalia Gold charges ₹2,500 + GST and earns 5 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spends; complete ₹200 multiples. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Axis Bank Select or HDFC Bank Regalia Gold?
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹2,500 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank Select or HDFC Bank Regalia Gold?
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold publishes the lower forex markup at 2% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.