Amex Platinum Credit Card Vs HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card
Last Updated : April 18, 2025, 5:38 p.m.
For those desiring exceptional benefits, rewards, and curated experiences, the Amex Platinum credit card and the HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card stand as premier options. Yet, both cards address separate market niches and customer priorities. Let's compare these two premium offerings to help you determine which might be a better fit for your lifestyle and spending habits.
Comparing the features at a Glance
| Feature | American Express® Platinum Card | HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
Card Type | Charge Card | Credit Card |
Annual Fee | Rs. 66,000 plus applicable taxes | Rs. 2,500 (Waived on spending Rs. 4 lakhs in anniversary year) |
Welcome Benefits | Renewal benefit worth up to Rs. 35,000 voucher on spending Rs. 20 lakhs |
|
Reward Points | 1 Membership Reward point for every Rs. 40 spent; 3X points on international spends |
|
Airport Lounge Access | Access to 1400+ airport lounges across 130+ countries including Centurion Lounges |
|
Travel Benefits |
|
|
Hotel Elite Status | A number of elite tier memberships including Marriott Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Honors Gold, Taj Epicure, and more | Free MMT Black Elite Membership, which gives hotel privileges |
Insurance Coverage | Air Accident Insurance, Overseas Medical Insurance, Purchase Protection |
|
Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% | 2% on all foreign currency spends |
Milestone Benefits | Varies by spending pattern |
|
Dining Benefits | Access to premium dining experiences | Good Food Trail program with up to 7.5% savings on restaurant bills via Swiggy Dineout |
Detailed Comparison
Card Type and Fees
The American Express® Platinum Card is a charge card, which means the full balance needs to be paid each month. It comes with a premium annual fee of Rs. 66,000 plus taxes. In contrast, the HDFC Regalia Gold is a traditional credit card with a lower annual fee of Rs. 2,500, which is waived if you spend Rs. 4 lakhs in the anniversary year.
Rewards Structure
American Express offers 1 Membership Reward point for every Rs. 40 spent and 3X points on international spending. HDFC Regalia Gold provides 4 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent on retail purchases and 5X rewards at select merchant partners. The redemption value varies based on how you choose to use these points.
Travel Benefits
The Amex Platinum Card excels in travel benefits with access to over 1400 airport lounges globally, including the exclusive Centurion Lounges. The HDFC card offers 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits and 6 international lounge visits through Priority Pass. Both cards provide travel insurance, though Amex positions its travel offerings as more comprehensive and luxurious.
Hotel Privileges
American Express Platinum offers elite status with multiple hotel chains including Marriott Bonvoy, Hilton Honors, and Taj Hotels. The card also provides significant benefits at Fine Hotels & Resorts properties. The HDFC card doesn't appear to match these extensive hotel benefits based on available information.
Milestone Benefits
HDFC Regalia Gold has structured milestone benefits, offering vouchers worth Rs. 1,500 on quarterly spends of Rs. 1.5 lakh and flight vouchers on annual spending thresholds. Amex offers renewal benefits worth up to Rs. 35,000 on spending Rs. 20 lakhs in the membership year.
Dining Experiences
Both cards offer dining benefits, with HDFC providing up to 7.5% savings at restaurants through their Good Food Trail program with Swiggy Dineout. Amex provides access to exclusive dining experiences and events, though specific percentage discounts weren't detailed in the available information.
Who Should Choose Which Card?
American Express Platinum is ideal for:
- Frequent international travelers who value global lounge access
- Those who stay at luxury hotels and can benefit from elite status perks
- Individuals seeking exclusive experiences and concierge services
- High spenders who can maximize the renewal benefits and offset the higher annual fee
HDFC Regalia Gold is better suited for:
- Those looking for a premium card with a more accessible annual fee
- Shoppers who frequently purchase from partner brands (Myntra, Nykaa, etc.)
- People who want robust domestic benefits with reasonable international perks
- Individuals who value structured milestone benefits on lower spending thresholds.
Conclusion
The Amex Platinum Credit Card is positioned as a more premium offering with a significantly higher annual fee and correspondingly more luxurious benefits, particularly for frequent travelers. The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card offers strong value at a more accessible price point with well-structured benefits for domestic use and moderate international travel. Your choice between these two cards should depend on your spending habits, travel frequency, and whether you can maximize the benefits to offset the annual fees. The Amex card is unquestionably more premium but requires higher spending to justify its cost, while the HDFC card offers excellent value for those with more moderate spending needs. After you decide which card to apply for, get your free CIBIL score on Wishfin to check whether you fulfill the issuer’s eligibility criteria.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
