Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card vs HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card Visa: Which is Better in 2026?

Which is better for rewards?

For rewards, the Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card offers a straightforward earning of 5 EDGE Miles per Rs.100 spent on travel and 2 EDGE Miles per Rs.100 on other spends, making it travel-centric. Meanwhile, the HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card earns 4 Rewards Points per Rs.200 spent across categories including retail, insurance, and grocery, with milestone bonuses on high spends. Axis Horizon’s rewards are more travel-focused and potentially more valuable for frequent travelers, whereas Regalia provides diversified points earning but at a slower rate per rupee.

Which is better for travel?

Both cards provide valuable travel benefits. Axis Bank Horizon offers 6 complimentary domestic lounge accesses and 2 international lounge accesses, while HDFC Regalia provides a higher number with 8 domestic and 6 international lounge accesses annually. Regalia also includes 24/7 concierge services, which Axis Horizon lacks. The travel rewards on Axis Horizon are more concentrated on travel spends, whereas Regalia’s lounge access and concierge services enhance the overall travel experience more comprehensively.

Which has lower effective cost?

In terms of fees, Axis Bank Horizon charges Rs.3000 as both joining and renewal fees with no stated waiver, while HDFC Regalia charges Rs.2500 for joining and renewal but offers a waiver on the renewal fee if you spend Rs.3,00,000 annually. Both cards have the same forex markup of 3.5%. For those mindful of annual costs, Regalia’s fee waiver condition can make it more economical if the spend threshold is met.

Fee Waiver Conditions

HDFC Regalia offers a renewal fee waiver if you spend Rs.3,00,000 annually, which can reduce the effective cost of holding the card. Axis Bank Horizon does not mention any fee waiver, so the Rs.3000 annual fee applies regardless of spend.

Lounge Access Comparison

While both cards provide complimentary lounge access, HDFC Regalia offers more domestic (8) and international (6) lounge visits per year compared to Axis Horizon's 6 domestic and 2 international accesses. This may be a deciding factor for frequent travelers seeking lounge comfort.

Reward Redemption Flexibility

Axis Horizon’s EDGE Miles can be directly redeemed for flights and hotels or transferred to partner programs, focusing on travel redemption. HDFC Regalia’s reward points can be redeemed for travel, cashback, or shopping via Smartbuy, offering more versatile redemption options.

Who should pick Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card if you prioritize earning travel-focused rewards and want a card that offers EDGE Miles which can be redeemed for flights and hotels. This card suits frequent travelers who value a decent mix of domestic and international lounge access and prefer straightforward travel benefits without needing to meet high spend criteria for fee waivers.

Who should pick HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card Visa?

Consider HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card Visa if you seek a card with extensive lounge access, including more international lounges, and value concierge services. It is also suitable if you want the possibility of an annual fee waiver by meeting a spend threshold and prefer a card with rewards points applicable across diverse categories like insurance and grocery, not just travel.