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Amex Platinum Travel Credit Card vs HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Personal Details

Highlights

  • Have a look at the comparison of Amex Platinum Travel and HDFC Regalia Credit Card.
  • Compare all their features and benefits before applying for any card.
  • See the Fees and Charges of both the cards and then apply for them.

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card are two premium cards that are curated to enhance your lifestyle and travel experiences. These premium cards cater to affluent professionals and frequent travelers who seek more than just a payment instrument -They desire a gateway to exclusive privileges, comprehensive travel benefits, and rewarding loyalty programs. The American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card combines the legendary service standards of American Express with tailored travel benefits and a robust rewards program. Meanwhile, the HDFC Regalia Gold represents one of India's leading banking institutions with a package designed to complement the lifestyle of today's global Indian. Whether you're planning international vacations, domestic business trips, or simply looking to maximize value on your everyday spending, choosing between these two premium cards requires careful consideration of their unique features, fee structures, and reward ecosystems. This comprehensive comparison will help you navigate through the nuances of both offerings, enabling you to make an informed decision that aligns perfectly with your financial goals and lifestyle preferences. After you make a decision regarding what card to apply for, do a free CIBIL score check on Wishfin, since it is essential to know if you have fulfilled the credit score requirements of the credit card issuer before applying. 

Comparing the features of the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is designed specifically for frequent travelers who want to maximize their travel experiences. It offers significant milestone benefits when you reach certain spending thresholds, along with complimentary lounge access and travel vouchers.

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is a super-premium offering that provides a blend of travel and lifestyle benefits. With its impressive reward rate and milestone benefits, it caters to both travelers and those who enjoy shopping and dining experiences.

Feature/Benefits American Express  Platinum Travel HDFC Regalia Gold

Annual Fee

Rs. 5,000 (plus applicable taxes)

Rs. 2,500 (plus applicable taxes)

Welcome Benefits

10,000 membership reward points on spending Rs. 15,000 within 90 days (Worth approximately Rs. 3,000)

Free Swiggy One and MMT Black Gold membership (Since  Nov 1, 2024)

Reward Rate

1 Membership reward point on spends of each Rs. 50. (Not including the following categories: Utilities, fuel, insurance, EMI conversions, and cash transactions)

4 reward points per Rs. 150 spent on retail purchases (A reward rate of approximately 2.67%)

Bonus Categories

No specific bonus categories

5X reward points on spends  at Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Nykaa & Reliance Digital

Point Value

Approximately Rs. 0.30 per point when redeemed for travel vouchers

Approximately Rs. 0.65 per point when redeemed through SmartBuy

Milestone Benefits

  • Spend Rs. 1.9 lakhs annually. 

  • 15,000 membership reward points (Worth Rs. 4,500)

  • Spend Rs. 4 lakhs annually: Additional 25,000 membership reward points  (Worth Rs. 7,500) + Taj Stay voucher worth Rs. 10,000

  • Spend Rs. 1.5 lakhs quarterly: Vouchers worth Rs. 1500. Brands include the following: 

  • Marriott

  • Myntra

  • Marks and Spencer

  • Reliance Digital 

  • Flight vouchers worth Rs. 5000 on achieving milestone annual spends of Rs. 5,00000.  

  • Spend Rs. 7.5 lakhs annually: Additional Rs. 5,000 worth flight vouchers

Fee Waiver

        Not available

Annual fee waived on spending Rs. 4 lakhs in an anniversary year. 

Domestic Lounge Access

8 complimentary visits per year (Limited to 2 visits per quarter)

12 complimentary visits within India per year

International Lounge Access

Complimentary priority pass membership (Usage fee applies)

6 complimentary priority pass visits outside India per year 

Travel Insurance

  • It provides cover for the following:

    • Travel accident insurance

    • Travel inconvenience insurance

    • Baggage assistance

    • Cover for damage or theft to a rental vehicle

    • Purchase protection

  • Accidental air death cover: Rs. 1 crore.

  • Emergency overseas hospitalization: Up to Rs. 15 lakhs.

  • Credit liability cover: Up to Rs.9 lakhs

Foreign Currency Markup

3.5% of the transacted amount 

2% on all foreign currency spends

Other Benefits

  • Zero lost card liability

  • Fuel convenience fee waiver at HPCL 

  • Dining discounts up to 20% at select restaurants.


 

  •   Zero lost card liability

  •    24/7 concierge services

  •    Contactless payment services

Special Features

Taj Experiences E-Gift Card worth Rs. 10,000 on spending Rs. 4 lakhs annually

Revamped rewards program with higher redemption values when booking travel through SmartBuy

Eligibility

  • Minimum age: 18 years

  • Minimum annual income: Rs. 6 lakhs. 

  • Good credit history

  • Available in select cities

Age: 21-60 years (salaried)

   21-65 years (self-employed)

  • Minimum monthly income: Rs. 1 lakh (salaried)
     

  • Minimum annual income: Rs. 12 lakhs (self-employed)

Key Differences

Fees and Value Proposition

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card charges a higher annual fee of Rs. 5,000 plus taxes compared to HDFC Regalia Gold's Rs. 2,500 plus taxes. However, HDFC offers a fee waiver on spending Rs.4 lakhs annually, making it potentially more economical in the long run.

Reward Structure

The American Express card offers 1 point per Rs. 50 spent (equivalent to a 2% reward rate if valued at Rs. 0.30 per point for travel redemptions). Meanwhile, HDFC Regalia Gold provides 4 points per Rs. 150 spent (Approximately 2.67% when redeemed through SmartBuy at Rs. 0.65 per point). HDFC also offers enhanced 5X rewards in specific categories like Myntra and Marks & Spencer.

Travel Benefits

Both cards focus on travel benefits but approach them differently:

  • Lounge Access: HDFC Regalia Gold offers more comprehensive lounge benefits as follows:

    • 12 free domestic lounge visits  

    • 6 international complimentary visits. 

           American Express provides 8 domestic visits and Priority Pass membership (with usage 

           fees)

  • Travel Insurance: HDFC Regalia Gold provides comprehensive insurance coverage as follows:

    • Rs. 1 crore accidental air death cover 

    • Rs. 15 lakhs for overseas hospitalization

American Express doesn't provide travel insurance cover.

Milestone Benefits

Both cards reward higher spending:

  • American Express offers a Taj Stay voucher worth Rs. 10,000 plus 25,000 bonus points on Rs. 4 lakhs annual spending.

  • HDFC provides quarterly vouchers worth Rs. 1,500 and flight vouchers totaling Rs. 10,000 when you spend Rs. 7.5 lakhs annually.

Which Card is Right for You?

Choose American Express Platinum Travel If:

  • You frequently stay at Taj properties and can benefit from their vouchers

  • You prefer a straightforward rewards structure without category-specific bonuses

  • You're already in the American Express ecosystem and value their customer service

Choose HDFC Regalia Gold If:

  • You want more comprehensive travel insurance

  • You shop frequently at partner retailers like Myntra and Marks & Spencer

  • You prefer quarterly rewards over annual milestone benefits

  • You appreciate the annual fee waiver benefit

  • You want more extensive lounge access both domestically and internationally. 

Conclusion

The American Express® Platinum Travel Credit Card and HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card both offer compelling value propositions for travelers and lifestyle enthusiasts. The American Express card excels with its hotel vouchers and straightforward rewards, while HDFC Regalia Gold offers more extensive travel protection, better lounge access, and the potential for fee waiver.
 

Your spending habits, travel patterns, and preference for specific benefits should guide your decision. For pure travel enthusiasts who stay at premium hotels, American Express might offer better value. For those seeking a well-rounded card with stronger insurance coverage and greater lounge access, HDFC Regalia Gold could be the preferred choice.

Note: Remember to check the official websites for the most current information, as credit card features and benefits are subject to change.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. How do the reward structures compare between the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HDFC Regalia Gold credit card?

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent (except on fuel, insurance, utilities, cash transactions, and EMI conversion at point of sale). The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers 4 Reward Points on every Rs. 150 spent on retail purchases.

2. Are there any bonus reward opportunities for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HDFC Regalia Gold credit card?

Yes, both cards offer bonus rewards:

  • American Express offers 3X Membership Rewards points on leading online brands through Reward Multiplier.

  • HDFC Regalia Gold provides 5X reward points on spends at Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Nykaa & Reliance Digital.

3. What airport lounge access do the American Express Platinum Travel credit card and the HDFC Regalia Gold credit card offer?

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers 8 complimentary visits per year (limited to two per quarter) to airport lounges across India, plus complimentary membership to Priority Pass with the US$99 annual fee waived. The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card provides 12 complimentary accesses within India (both at domestic and international terminals).

4. What is the insurance coverage provided by the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card?

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers:

  • Accidental air death cover worth Rs. 1 Crore

  • Emergency overseas hospitalization up to Rs. 15 lakhs

  • Credit liability cover up to Rs. 9 lakhs

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card includes Zero Lost Card Liability protection, travel accident insurance, travel inconvenience insurance, baggage assistance, cover for damage or theft to a rental vehicle, and purchase protection. 

5. What are the finance charges for the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the HDFC Regalia Gold credit card?

The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card has finance charges of 3.5% monthly. The finance charge for the HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is 3.75% per month, which translates to 45% per year.

 

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