🏦 Introduction
If you're hunting for a premium credit card in India, HDFC Bank’s Infinia Metal and Regalia Gold are top contenders. Both cater to lifestyle and travel enthusiasts, but appeal to different spending levels and needs. In this comprehensive guide on Manika TaxWise, we'll break down features, fees, rewards, travel benefits, insurance, and real-world recommendations. By the end, you'll know exactly which card aligns with your spending habits—and how to max out its potential.
1. Who Should Apply?
HDFC Infinia Metal
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Invite‑only, typically offered to those with annual spends of ₹25 lakh+ or TRV of ₹25 lakh+
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Ideal for ultra‑premium users: frequent international travellers, high rollers, business execs.
HDFC Regalia Gold
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Available via application: requires ₹1 lakh net monthly income or ₹12 lakh annual ITR, age 21–60 salaried / up to 65 self‑employed.
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Best suited for aspiring travelers and lifestyle seekers who spend moderately.
2. Fee Structure & Waiver Criteria
| Feature | Infinia Metal | Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Joining / Annual Fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 12,500 Reward Points + Club Marriott membership | ₹2,500 voucher + Swiggy One & MMT BLK after ₹1L spend |
| Fee Waiver | Spend ₹10 lakh/year | Spend ₹4 lakh/year |
| Milestone Perks | N/A | Vouchers at ₹1.5L, ₹5L, ₹7.5L annual spends |
💡 Tip: Frequent high spenders (₹10L+) make Infinia’s fee worthwhile; moderate spenders benefit more from Regalia Gold's affordable fee and structured incentives.
3. Rewards Rate & Redemption
Earning Points
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Infinia: 5 RP per ₹150 = ~3.3% return
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Regalia Gold: 4 RP per ₹150 (~2.67%), spikes to 20 RP on Myntra/M&S/Nykaa/Reliance Digital (~6.6%)
SmartBuy Boost
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Infinia: Flights 5X, Hotels 10X; monthly cap: up to 25,000 bonus points (~16–33% return)
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Regalia Gold: Flights 5X, Hotels 10X; monthly cap ~4,000 bonus points (~6–13%) .
Redemption Value
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Infinia: 1 RP = ₹1 for flights/hotels and 1 air mile, ₹0.50 vouchers, ₹0.30 cashback; Tanishq/Apple = ₹1/RP
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Regalia Gold: 1 RP = ₹0.50 for travel, ₹0.35 vouchers, ₹0.20 cashback .
4. Travel & Lifestyle Perks
Airport Lounges
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Infinia: Unlimited domestic + international Priority Pass access for primary & add-ons
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Regalia Gold: 12 domestic + 6 international visits/year via Priority Pass
Hotel & Dining Benefits
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Infinia: Club Marriott membership, ITC 1+1 buffet, 3‑for‑2 hotel nights
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Regalia Gold: Flat 10% off via Dineout at 35K+ restaurants
Golf & Concierge
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Infinia: Unlimited golf + coaching across India and select global courses; 24×7 global concierge
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Regalia Gold: No golf; but has travel concierge and EMI options .
5. Insurance & Security
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Infinia: ₹3 crore accidental air death cover, ₹50 lakh overseas hospitalization, ₹9 lakh credit shield
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Regalia Gold: ₹1 crore air death, ₹15 lakh hospital cover, ₹9 lakh credit shield .
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Risk Insight: If you travel extensively and value high protection, Infinia is clearly superior.
6. Comparison Summary
| Aspect | Infinia Metal | Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Invite‑only | Open apply |
| Fee & Waiver | ₹12.5K (₹10L waiver) | ₹2.5K (₹4L waiver) |
| Reward Base Rate | 5 RP/150₹ (3.3%) | 4 RP/150₹ (2.67%) + 20 RP select |
| SmartBuy Cap | High: 25k/month | Moderate: 4k/month |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited | 18 visits/year |
| Travel & Dining Perks | Premium extras | Good value |
| Insurance | Superior cover | Adequate |
| Ideal For | Big spenders, global travelers | Moderate spenders, value-seekers |
7. Real-World Examples
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Frequent Traveller: ₹3–4 lakh/month spends on flights + hotels via SmartBuy. With Infinia, 5X flights & 10X hotels returns ~33% on travel spends—quickly offsets annual fee.
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E-commerce Shopper: Buying gadgets on Nykaa, Myntra, Reliance Digital: Regalia Gold gives 20 RP/₹150 (~6.6%), while Infinia gives 5 RP (~1.7%)—so Gold wins in this scenario.
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Milestone Rewards: Regalia Gold users get quarterly ₹1.5k vouchers, annual ₹10k flight vouchers floor. Infinia doesn't offer milestone perks but delivers value inherently in rewards.
8. Practical Tips to Maximize Value
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SmartBuy Strategy
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Infinia: prioritize travel booking via SmartBuy.
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Regalia Gold: maximize partner brands.
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Annual Fee Waiver
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Track spends monthly to hit requisite threshold early and waive fees.
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Lounge Access
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If you fly often (domestic + international), Infinia’s unlimited access is gold. For occasional travellers, Regalia Gold’s capped visits suffice.
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Add‑On Cards
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Use additional cards for family to spread rewards and lounge visits.
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Point Redemption
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Use Infinia for redemptions on high-value partners (flights/hotels/Tanishq/Apple).
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9. Final Verdict 🎯
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📌 Choose Infinia Metal if you're a high-spender, globetrotter, and want top-tier travel benefits, concierge, robust insurance, and unlimited lounge access.
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📌 Choose Regalia Gold if you seek a cost-effective premium card, enjoy e-commerce perks, capped, but solid travel features, and milestone rewards without steep income or spend needs.
Let your annual spend pattern, travel frequency, and perks preference guide your pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I upgrade from Regalia Gold to Infinia?
Yes—HDFC offers upgrades based on credit behaviour, spends (₹8–10L/year), income, and relationship tenure. It's invite‑only, but Regalia Gold is often a stepping stone
2. Does Regalia Gold still offer good value post‑devaluation?
Though devaluations on gift vouchers have occurred, Regalia Gold remains rewarding for partner spends and travel/redemption unless shopping on Amazon/Flipkart Reddit.
3. Are lounge access rules changing?
Priority Pass terms for Regalia Gold: domestic lounge access now requires ₹1L quarterly spends; Infinia remains uncapped 1 Finance.
4. Which card offers better insurance?
Infinia substantially outperforms with ₹3 crore air death and ₹50 lakh hospital cover vs ₹1 crore and ₹15 lakh on Regalia Gold
5. How valuable are SmartBuy points?
On Infinia, SmartBuy redemptions deliver up to 33% value; Regalia Gold yields ~13%—a major difference for frequent users