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HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card VS Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 18 July 2026

Both HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card and Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card costs ₹2,500 + GST and earns 4 RPs on ₹150 retail spend; 20 RPs on ₹150 at Nykaa, Reliance Digital, Myntra, M&S. Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card costs ₹1,500 + GST and earns 10 Zen Points/₹150 on shopping; 5 Zen Points/₹150 on other spends. Capped at 6,500 points/billing cycle. HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card also brings 12 complimentary domestic lounge access visits per year, 3 per quarter, for primary and add-on cards, while Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card counters with 8 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per year, with 2 per quarter on ₹75,000 spend in prior quarter. If travel spending matters more, go with HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card; if shopping is the priority, Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card fits better.

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹2,500 + GST
Joining Fee₹1,500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹2,500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹1,500 + GST
Spend Based WaiverRenewal Fee waived upon spending ₹4 Lakhs in an anniversary year (12 billing cycles).
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee waiver of ₹1,500 on annual retail spending of ₹1,50,000 or above.
Foreign Transaction Fees2% + GST applies on all international foreign currency transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5%
Interest Rate (APR)Revolving credit interest rate is 3.75% per month, equating to 45% annually.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% Per Month (45% Per Annum)

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus₹2,500 gift voucher. Complimentary Swiggy One and MMTBLACK Gold Membership on ₹1 Lakh spend in 90 days.
Welcome BonusReceive 1,500 Zen Points upon payment of the joining fees of ₹1,500.
Rewards RateEarn 4 RPs on ₹150 retail spend; 20 RPs on ₹150 at Nykaa, Reliance Digital, Myntra, M&S.
Rewards RateEarn 10 Zen Points for every ₹150 on shopping; 5 Zen Points for every ₹150 on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST is charged per redemption of reward points.
Reward Redemption FeeNil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access12 complimentary domestic lounge access visits per year, 3 per quarter, for primary and add-on cards.
Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary domestic lounge accesses annually (spend-based from June 2025).
International Lounge Access6 complimentary international lounge visits per year via Priority Pass for primary & add-on members.
International Lounge Access3 complimentary international lounge accesses annually for primary cardholder via Kotak Credit Card.
Travel BenefitsOffers extensive travel perks including flight vouchers, discounts, and complimentary lounge access.
Travel BenefitsComplimentary domestic and international lounge access, railway surcharge waiver benefits.
Movie BenefitsNot Applicable
Movie Benefits
Dining BenefitsFLAT 10% EXTRA OFF at 35,000+ restaurants. Get ₹200 Off on Swiggy Dineout twice monthly.
Dining Benefits
Golf BenefitsNot Applicable
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge WaiverNot Applicable for fuel transactions with this HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on ₹500-₹3,000 transactions (up to ₹3,500 annually); up to ₹5,000 from June 2025.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits₹1 Cr air death cover, ₹15 Lakhs overseas hospitalization, ₹9 Lakhs credit liability cover.
Insurance Benefits
Cash Advance ChargesEither 2.5% of amount or ₹500, whichever of these two values is higher.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% or a minimum of ₹500.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card

Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Access to exclusive 24/7 concierge service for all travel and lifestyle assistance needs.

Generous lounge access with 12 domestic and 6 international visits annually for cardholders.

Strong reward rates, including 5X accelerated points on preferred partner brands like Nykaa.

Flexible redemption options for flights, hotels, vouchers, airmiles, and even cashback.

Comprehensive insurance benefits covering air death, overseas hospitalization, and credit cover.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Accelerated rewards on shopping categories like apparel and lifestyle goods.

Complimentary domestic and international lounge access enhances travel experiences.

Significant bonus Zen Points are awarded upon reaching annual spending milestones.

Annual fee waiver is easily achievable with moderate yearly retail spending.

Offers a valuable railway surcharge waiver, beneficial for frequent train travelers.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

A redemption fee of ₹99 + GST is applicable on all reward point redemptions made.

The annual renewal fee waiver requires a relatively high annual spend of ₹4 Lakhs.

Reward point accrual has maximum caps on grocery and insurance transactions monthly.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Reward point earnings are capped at 6,500 points per billing cycle.

Upcoming changes will discontinue Zen Points on fuel, rent, and wallet loads.

Domestic lounge access becomes spend-based from June 2025, requiring quarterly spends.

High foreign currency markup of 3.5% makes international spends less rewarding.

Zen Points on education, insurance, utility, and government spends will be capped.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.