ICICI Sapphiro vs HDFC Regalia Gold: Lounges, Points and Real Value
HDFC Bank's Regalia Gold gives more back to most people spending ₹4 lakh to ₹12 lakh a year: its fee is lower, its points have a published value of up to ₹0.65, and its forex mark-up is 2% against 3.5%. ICICI Bank's Sapphiro suits someone who will use its welcome vouchers, golf and 4 domestic lounge visits a quarter, or who clears its ₹75,000 monthly income floor but not Regalia Gold's ₹1.5 lakh.
In short
HDFC Bank Regalia Gold gives more value to most people who spend ₹4 lakh a year or more, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro suits those who want its vouchers, golf and domestic lounges, or who fall short of Regalia Gold's income floor.
Best for
- Regalia Gold: spenders of ₹4 lakh or more a year who redeem points on the Gold Catalogue or on flights
- Regalia Gold: travellers abroad, with 2% forex and up to 6 Priority Pass visits a year
- Sapphiro: earners of ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh a month who want lounges, golf and vouchers
Skip it if
- You spend less than about ₹33,333 a month and would pay a fee every year
- You want rewards on fuel or rent, which both cards leave out
Highlights
- Sapphiro: ₹6,500 + GST to join, ₹3,500 + GST a year, waived on ₹6 lakh
- Regalia Gold: ₹2,500 + GST a year, waived on ₹4 lakh
- Regalia Gold: 5 points per ₹200, worth up to ₹0.65 each
- Forex mark-up: 3.5% on Sapphiro, 2% on Regalia Gold
- Income floor: ₹75,000 a month for Sapphiro, above ₹1.5 lakh for Regalia Gold
Side by side
| Term | ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card | Regalia Gold Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | ICICI Bank | HDFC Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹6,500 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Annual fee and waiver | ₹3,500 + GST. Spend over ₹6 lakh and get your Annual Fee waived off for the next year | ₹2,500 + GST. Retail spends of ₹4 lakh within 12 billing cycles of your anniversary year waive the next year's renewal fee |
| Base reward | 2 reward points per ₹100 on domestic spend | 5 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent on eligible retail spends |
| Best category | International spend: 4 reward points per ₹100 | Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital, Marks & Spencer: 5X Reward Points |
| Lounges | Domestic: 4 domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter (primary) on ₹75,000 spend in the preceding quarter (dual Mastercard and Amex holders: 2 per variant) International: 2 complimentary international lounge accesses a year via Priority Pass (primary) | Domestic: 3 complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter, by swiping the card International: Up to 6 visits per calendar year outside India via Priority Pass, for primary and add-on members |
| Forex markup | 3.5% of the amount | 2% of the amount |
| Network | Mastercard, American Express, RuPay | Not stated by the bank |
| Published minimum income | ₹75,000 a month | ₹1,50,000 a month |
| Status | Taking applications | Taking applications |
| Add-on card fee | ₹199 + GST | Nil |
| Earned as | ICICI Bank Reward Points | Reward Points |
| Higher-reward categories |
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| No rewards on |
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| Value of a point |
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| Redemption fee | ₹99 + GST per redemption (MITC) | ₹99 + GST per catalogue redemption request; ₹50 + GST per cashback redemption request |
| Expiry | 3 years from issuance | Reward points valid for 2 years from accumulation |
| Welcome benefits |
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| Milestone benefits |
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| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at all fuel pumps; MITC caps waiver-eligible spends at ₹50,000 per statement cycle | Fuel surcharge waiver not applicable (MITC fee table); fuel earns no reward points |
| Insurance cover | Air accident cover ₹3 crore (primary; conditions apply); purchase protection ₹1,40,000, credit shield ₹1 lakh, lost checked baggage ₹84,000, card liability ₹50,000; RuPay variant ₹2 lakh personal accident | Primary cardholder: air accident cover USD 125,000; emergency medical expenses abroad USD 18,750; card liability ₹9,00,000; credit shield ₹9,00,000; missed connection and flight delay USD 313 each (group policy 23 Jul 2026 to 22 Jul 2027) |
| Interest on unpaid balances | Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year) | Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year) |
| Late payment fee | ₹0 if outstanding below ₹100; ₹100 (₹100 to ₹500); ₹500 (₹501 to ₹1,000); ₹600 (₹1,001 to ₹5,000); ₹750 (₹5,001 to ₹10,000); ₹900 (₹10,001 to ₹25,000); ₹1,100 (₹25,001 to ₹50,000); ₹1,300 (above ₹50,000). Outstanding = Total Amount Due minus payments before due date; levied if MAD unpaid after due date plus 3 days. | Late payment charges (excl. GST), basis the bill amount, w.e.f. 1 Aug 2024: nil up to ₹100; ₹100 for ₹101 to ₹500; ₹500 for ₹501 to ₹1,000; ₹600 for ₹1,001 to ₹5,000; ₹750 for ₹5,001 to ₹10,000; ₹900 for ₹10,001 to ₹25,000; ₹1,100 for ₹25,001 to ₹50,000; ₹1,300 above ₹50,000. Charged when the Minimum Amount Due is not paid; account is reported past due and late fee levied only after 3 grace days from the due date. |
| Cash withdrawal | 2.5% of amount, minimum ₹500, plus interest at 3.75% per month from the transaction date | 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher, plus finance charges at the revolving rate from the date of withdrawal until full payment. |
| Age (salaried) | 21 to 65 years (FAQ) | 21 to 60 years |
| Income (salaried) | Monthly income of ₹75,000 | Gross monthly income greater than ₹1.5 lakh (government employees: greater than ₹1 lakh) |
| Income (self-employed) | Annual income of ₹9,00,000 | Income Tax Return (ITR) greater than ₹18 lakh per annum |
| Documents |
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| Last verified | 5 November 2026 | 5 November 2026 |
Two mid-premium cards with different ideas of value
The ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is a lifestyle card. It costs ₹6,500 plus GST to join and ₹3,500 plus GST a year, and gives back mostly in kind: welcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000, golf, BookMyShow offers and lounges. It come on Mastercard, American Express and RuPay, and the RuPay one works on UPI.
The HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card is a points card first. It costs ₹2,500 plus GST a year and, from 15 May 2026, gives 5 Reward Points on every ₹200, with vouchers at quarterly and yearly spend milestones and up to 6 Priority Pass visit a year abroad. Lower fee, more points, a value you can actually look up in HDFC's chart.
The verdict in two sentences. For most spenders Regalia Gold returns more: in our three profiles each Sapphiro point would need to be worth ₹0.82 to ₹0.95 just to draw level, and ICICI publishes no point value at all. Sapphiro is the pick when you will really use its vouchers and golf, or when Regalia Gold's income floor of above ₹1.5 lakh a month is out of reach.
Recent changes that shape this comparison
- Regalia Gold: the new earn rate of 5 points per ₹200 (earlier 4 per ₹150) and Boarding Edge came on 15 May 2026, and from the quarter starting 1 July 2026 domestic lounges need ₹60,000 of spend in the quarter before. Cashback redemption has dropped to 15 paise a point since 1 November 2025, which is very less value.
- Sapphiro: domestic lounges need ₹75,000 in the previous quarter since 1 January 2025, the DCC fee went to 3.5% on 15 January 2026, transport points were capped at ₹20,000 a cycle from 1 February 2026, and BookMyShow needs ₹25,000 a quarter from 1 April 2026.
Fees: Sapphiro asks more upfront and more to waive
In the first year Sapphiro costs ₹7,670 with 18% GST (₹6,500 plus ₹1,170) against ₹2,950 for Regalia Gold (₹2,500 plus ₹450). From the second year the gap narrows: ₹4,130 for Sapphiro (₹3,500 plus ₹630) and still ₹2,950 for Regalia Gold.
The waivers are where the two seriously differs. Sapphiro reverses the next year's fee once you spend ₹6 lakh in the anniversary year, which is ₹50,000 a month (₹6,00,000 divided by 12). Regalia Gold waives on ₹4 lakh of retail spends within 12 billing cycles, roughly ₹33,333 a month (₹4,00,000 divided by 12). An add-on is free on Regalia Gold and costs ₹199 a year on Sapphiro.
| Charge | ICICI Sapphiro | HDFC Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹6,500 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹3,500 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹6 lakh in the anniversary year | ₹4 lakh in the anniversary year |
| Add-on card | ₹199 | Free |
| Interest | 3.75% monthly, 45% yearly | 3.75% monthly, 45% yearly |
| Forex mark-up | 3.5% | 2% |
| Paying in rupees abroad (DCC) | 3.5% | 1.75% |
| Redemption fee | ₹99 + GST | ₹99 + GST catalogue, ₹50 + GST cashback |
| Rent | 1% fee | 1%, capped at ₹4,999 a transaction |
| Fuel | 1% above ₹10,000 | 1% above ₹15,000, capped at ₹4,999 |
The everyday charges are nearly twin. Both charge 3.75% a month interest, both take 2.5% or a minimum ₹500 on cash withdrawals, and their late fee slabs run from ₹100 up to ₹1,300 for dues above ₹50,000 in the same steps. HDFC caps most of its special fees at ₹4,999, for example 1% on utility bills only once they cross ₹50,000 in a month. ICICI's wallet fee start lower, at loads of ₹5,000 or more, against HDFC's ₹10,000 a month. A replacement card is ₹200 at ICICI, ₹300 from 11 December 2026, and ₹199 at HDFC.
Rewards: a known value against an unknown one
ICICI Sapphiro
Sapphiro pays 2 points for every ₹100 spent in India, double that abroad, and 1 per ₹100 on utilities and insurance. Spends that counts for points is capped each cycle: ₹80,000 for utilities, ₹80,000 for insurance, ₹40,000 for grocery and departmental stores, and ₹20,000 for transport. Rent, wallet loads, fuel and EMIs earns nothing. The milestone is generous: 4,000 points at ₹4 lakh in an anniversary year, then 2,000 for each extra ₹1 lakh, up to 20,000 points, a ceiling you reach at ₹12 lakh (4,000 plus 8 times 2,000).
The problem is value. ICICI's current pages don't publish a rupee value per point, each redemption cost ₹99 plus GST, and points expire 3 years from issue. So we can count the Sapphiro points, but price them honestly we cannot.
HDFC Regalia Gold
Regalia Gold earns 5 points per ₹200 on eligible retail spends, with ₹200 as the minimum transaction. A point is worth ₹0.65 on the Gold Catalogue, ₹0.50 on flights and hotels, up to ₹0.35 on vouchers and only ₹0.15 as cashback, so the base return is about 1.6% at best (2.5 points per ₹100 times ₹0.65) and 0.375% at worst (2.5 times ₹0.15). 5X points on Myntra, Nykaa, Reliance Digital and Marks and Spencer stop at 5,000 a month. There's a 2,000-point monthly ceiling on each of grocery, insurance, utility and telecom spends, and fuel, rent, government, wallet and EasyEMI spends earn nothing. Spend ₹1.5 lakh in a calendar quarter and a ₹1,500 voucher follows; cross ₹5 lakh in a year for a ₹5,000 SmartBuy flight voucher, and ₹7.5 lakh for a second one. Points expires after 2 years.
Three spend profiles, a renewal year
Profile A spends ₹40,000 a month (₹37,000 domestic, ₹3,000 utilities), B ₹60,000 (₹55,000 and ₹5,000), and C ₹1,00,000 (₹80,000 domestic, ₹5,000 utilities, ₹15,000 abroad in foreign currency). Regalia Gold we have valued at ₹0.65 a point. Because Sapphiro has no published value, the last row shows what a Sapphiro point would need to be worth for the two cards to come out equal.
| Per year | A: ₹40,000 a month | B: ₹60,000 a month | C: ₹1,00,000 a month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphiro points incl. milestone | 13,240 | 23,800 | 47,000 |
| Sapphiro fee for next year | ₹4,130 | Waived | Waived |
| Regalia Gold value incl. vouchers | ₹7,800 | ₹22,700 | ₹35,500 |
| Regalia Gold fee for next year | Waived | Waived | Waived |
| Forex cost with GST | None | None | Sapphiro ₹7,434, Regalia Gold ₹4,248 |
| Sapphiro point value needed to draw level | ₹0.90 | ₹0.95 | ₹0.82 |
A. Sapphiro: 740 points on ₹37,000 plus 30 on utilities is 770 a month, 9,240 a year, plus the 4,000 milestone at ₹4.8 lakh, which make 13,240. ₹4.8 lakh is short of ₹6 lakh, so the ₹4,130 fee stays. Regalia Gold: 1,000 points a month (₹40,000 divided by 200, times 5), 12,000 a year, worth ₹7,800, no milestone voucher since a quarter's ₹1.2 lakh is under ₹1.5 lakh, fee waived. Sapphiro needs ₹11,930 of value (₹7,800 plus ₹4,130) from 13,240 points, so ₹0.90 a point.
B. Sapphiro: 1,100 plus 50 is 1,150 points a month, 13,800 a year, and the milestone at ₹7.2 lakh (₹60,000 times 12) is 4,000 plus 3 times 2,000, so 10,000 more, total 23,800, fee waived. Regalia Gold: 18,000 points worth ₹11,700, four quarterly vouchers worth ₹6,000 and one ₹5,000 flight voucher, so ₹22,700, and the fee is also getting waived. Break-even is ₹22,700 divided by 23,800, about ₹0.95.
C. Sapphiro: 1,600 plus 50 plus 600 abroad is 2,250 a month, 27,000 a year, plus the full 20,000 milestone, 47,000 in all. Regalia Gold: 30,000 points worth ₹19,500, plus ₹6,000 of quarterly vouchers and two flight vouchers of ₹5,000, so ₹35,500. Forex on ₹1,80,000 a year (₹15,000 times 12) is ₹6,300 plus ₹1,134 GST on Sapphiro, ₹7,434, and ₹3,600 plus ₹648, ₹4,248, on Regalia Gold. Sapphiro needs ₹38,686 (₹35,500 minus ₹4,248 plus ₹7,434) from 47,000 points, about ₹0.82 each.
Benefits: lounges, forex, insurance and the welcome kit
Lounges
Inside India the Sapphiro is giving more. Its primary cardholder gets 4 domestic visits a quarter after spending ₹75,000 in the previous quarter (2 per variant if you hold both Mastercard and Amex), while Regalia Gold give 3 a quarter on ₹60,000. Abroad it's reverse: Regalia Gold allows up to 6 Priority Pass visits a calendar year for primary and add-on members, against 2 for Sapphiro's primary cardholder. Regalia Gold's Priority Pass must be requested through phone banking after at least 4 transactions, and extra visits are charged.
Spending abroad
On ₹1 lakh spent abroad Sapphiro charges ₹3,500 plus ₹630 GST, so ₹4,130, against ₹2,000 plus ₹360, so ₹2,360, on Regalia Gold, a ₹1,770 difference (₹4,130 minus ₹2,360). Sapphiro does earn 4,000 points on that ₹1 lakh against Regalia Gold's 2,500, but the HDFC points are worth ₹1,625 on the catalogue (2,500 times ₹0.65) and the ICICI ones has no stated value. For regular trips abroad Regalia Gold is the cheaper card.
Insurance
- Sapphiro: air accident cover of ₹3 crore for the primary cardholder (conditions apply), purchase protection of ₹1,40,000, credit shield ₹1 lakh, lost checked baggage ₹84,000 and card liability ₹50,000; the RuPay variant adds ₹2 lakh personal accident.
- Regalia Gold: HDFC's group policy for 23 July 2026 to 22 July 2027 lists it for USD 125,000 of air accident cover and USD 18,750 for medical emergencies abroad, ₹9,00,000 each of card liability and credit shield, and USD 313 apiece for a missed connection or a flight delay. A decent cover for an card at this price.
Welcome benefits and extras
Sapphiro's welcome vouchers come within 45 days of paying the joining fee: Tata CLiQ ₹3,000, EaseMyTrip ₹4,000, Da Milano ₹5,000, Croma ₹1,500 and EazyDiner Prime for 3 months worth ₹1,095. By our addition that is ₹14,595, almost twice the ₹7,670 joining cost, if all those brands suits you. It also gives a golf round for every ₹50,000 spent in the previous month, up to 4 a month, and buy one get one on BookMyShow, up to ₹500 off twice a month, on ₹25,000 of quarterly spend.
Regalia Gold gives Swiggy One and MMT Black Gold memberships on ₹1 lakh of spends in the first 90 days, with no rupee value stated, plus Boarding Edge, where uploading a boarding pass on SmartBuy gets you two of four perks each quarter (spa, an Uber ride to the airport, hotel dining, room upgrade), and up to 20% off via Swiggy Dineout. On fuel, Sapphiro waives 1% on fills up to ₹4,000, while HDFC's MITC marks the fuel waiver as not applicable on Regalia Gold.
Eligibility: Regalia Gold asks for twice the income
| Rule | ICICI Sapphiro | HDFC Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 21 to 65 years | Salaried 21 to 60; self-employed 21 to 65 |
| Salaried income | ₹75,000 a month | Gross above ₹1.5 lakh a month (government staff above ₹1 lakh) |
| Self-employed income | ₹9,00,000 a year | ITR above ₹18 lakh a year |
| Network | Mastercard, American Express, RuPay | Not stated by HDFC |
| Apply | ICICI website or iMobile app | HDFC website or a branch |
The income floors decides this for many readers. Regalia Gold wants a gross salary above ₹1.5 lakh a month, twice Sapphiro's ₹75,000, and an ITR above ₹18 lakh for the self-employed, twice Sapphiro's ₹9 lakh. HDFC's pages say "gross" in the eligibility section and "net" in an FAQ, so if your salary sits close to the line, assume the stricter reading. HDFC also says a rejected applicant can apply again after six months.
Sapphiro is open to Indian citizens from 21 to 65 years with identity, address and income proof. HDFC asks the same three proofs, and existing HDFC customers may not need to submit them again.
For both banks the RBI's 2025 card Directions require an independent check of your financial means and of the limits you already hold, and a rejection has to come with the specific reasons in writing. Approval is the bank's decision, never automatic because you clear a floor. Our guide on credit card eligibility criteria explains what banks look at, and the helplines for an application already made are on our ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank customer care pages.
Verdict: which card for which spender
- Regalia Gold if you spend ₹4 lakh or more a year, redeem points on the Gold Catalogue or on flights, and travel abroad now and then. A lower fee, a cheaper forex mark-up and 6 Priority Pass visits makes it the better all-rounder, provided you clear the income bar.
- Sapphiro if you earn ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh a month, play golf or will use the welcome vouchers, and take domestic flights often enough to want 4 lounge visits a quarter. Plan for ₹6 lakh a year of spends, otherwise the ₹4,130 renewal keep coming back.
- Neither if your spending is under about ₹33,333 a month, because you would pay a fee every year for benefits you barely touch, or if most of it is fuel and rent, which both exclude.
A practical tip, from experience: whichever you take, track the quarter's spend because both cards now tie domestic lounges to it, Sapphiro at ₹75,000 and Regalia Gold at ₹60,000, and one quiet quarter mean no lounge in the next.
Still deciding? Compare Regalia Gold with Axis Bank Select and with SBI Card ELITE, or browse every card on the BankCreds credit cards hub. The issuers are covered on the ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank hubs.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Regalia Gold: points worth up to ₹0.65 on the Gold Catalogue, so base spends return about 1.6%
- Regalia Gold: 2% forex mark-up and up to 6 Priority Pass visits a year
- Regalia Gold: ₹2,500 + GST fee, waived on ₹4 lakh of yearly spends
- Sapphiro: welcome vouchers worth over ₹13,000 and golf rounds linked to monthly spend
- Sapphiro: 4 domestic lounge visits a quarter and 4 points per ₹100 abroad
Cons
- Sapphiro: ICICI publishes no rupee value for its points
- Sapphiro: ₹6,500 + GST to join and ₹6 lakh of spends to waive the ₹3,500 renewal
- Regalia Gold: salaried applicants need gross income above ₹1.5 lakh a month
- Regalia Gold: no fuel surcharge waiver, and cashback redemption is only 15 paise a point
- Both: domestic lounge visits depend on spend in the previous quarter
Frequently asked questions
Which has the lower fee, Sapphiro or Regalia Gold?
How much is a point worth on each card?
Who is eligible for Sapphiro and Regalia Gold?
Which card has better lounge access?
What changed on Regalia Gold in 2026?
Is Sapphiro better than Regalia Gold for spending abroad?
Related
- ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card Review: Lounges, Golf and a ₹6,500 Fee
- HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card Review: 5 Points per ₹200 From May 2026
- SBI Card ELITE vs HDFC Bank Regalia Gold: Which Fee Earns Its Keep?
- HDFC Regalia Gold vs Axis Bank Select Credit Card: Points, Lounges, Fees
- Best Airport Lounge Credit Cards in India 2026: Who Still Gets In Free
Sources
- ICICI Bank Limited: Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC), credit cards; Sapphiro Credit Card; Coverage for ICICI Bank Rubyx, Sapphiro, Emeralde, Emeralde Metal, Diamant and Times Black Credit Card Holders; ICICI Bank RuPay Credit Card
- HDFC Bank: Part I Key Fact Statement cum Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC), English, Version 4.18; Rewards Points Program Terms and Condition (Regalia Gold); Regalia Gold Credit Card Fees & Charges; Regalia Gold Credit Card Fees & Charges (FAQ); HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Key Features (microsite); Regalia Gold Credit Card (product page)
Last verified: 5 November 2026
Written by Rashmi Mandana, reviewed by BankCreds Financial Experts
BankCreds does not sell cards or take applications. Fees and rewards change; the bank's own terms on the day you apply are what count, and approval is the bank's decision.