Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card vs Hdfc Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Which is better for rewards?

Both cards provide attractive rewards but cater to different spending styles. Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard offers 5 EDGE Miles per Rs.100 spent on travel and 2 EDGE Miles on other spends, which is ideal for travelers who want to accumulate miles for flight and hotel bookings. HDFC Regalia Gold, on the other hand, rewards 5 points per Rs.200 on groceries and selected merchants with 5X points, offering a broader range of reward categories including shopping and insurance. Redemption options also vary, with Horizon focusing on travel redemptions and Regalia Gold offering vouchers, cashback, and catalogue redemptions. Overall, rewards value depends on your spending preferences.

Which is better for travel?

For travel benefits, Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard stands out with 6 complimentary domestic lounge visits and 2 international lounge accesses, plus a straightforward miles program tailored for travel redemptions. HDFC Regalia Gold provides fewer domestic lounges (3 per calendar quarter) but more international lounges (6), and adds milestone flight vouchers on high spends, which can be valuable for frequent flyers with substantial annual expenses. Horizon’s EDGE Miles are directly transferable for travel bookings, while Regalia Gold’s travel benefits are more milestone-based and membership-oriented.

Which has lower effective cost?

HDFC Regalia Gold has a lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.2500 compared to Axis Bank Horizon’s Rs.3000 fees. Additionally, Regalia Gold offers a renewal fee waiver if you spend Rs.400,000 annually, which can significantly reduce the effective cost for high spenders. Horizon does not specify any fee waiver, making its Rs.3000 annual fee fixed. Forex markup is also lower on Regalia Gold at 2%, compared to 3.5% on Horizon, which may affect international transaction costs. Overall, Regalia Gold is more cost-effective for users who meet the waiver criteria or transact internationally.

Fee Waiver and Milestone Benefits

HDFC Regalia Gold offers a clear renewal fee waiver if you spend Rs.400,000 annually, plus multiple milestone flight vouchers and quarterly vouchers that reward high spenders. Axis Bank Horizon does not provide a fee waiver but offers a renewal benefit of 1500 EDGE Miles. This makes Regalia Gold more attractive for users with higher annual spends seeking fee reductions and milestone rewards.

Forex Markup Charges

The forex markup fee on Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard is 3.5%, which is notably higher than the 2% charged by HDFC Regalia Gold. For cardholders who frequently make foreign currency transactions, Regalia Gold offers a more cost-effective option.

Lounge Access Comparison

Axis Bank Horizon provides 6 complimentary domestic lounge visits and 2 international lounge accesses, while HDFC Regalia Gold offers 3 domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter and 6 international lounge accesses. Horizon favors domestic travelers with more local lounge access, whereas Regalia Gold benefits international travelers with more overseas lounge visits.

Who should pick Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card if you prioritize travel-focused rewards with a straightforward miles earning system, frequent domestic and some international lounge access, and want to redeem miles directly for flights and hotels. It suits travelers who prefer a fixed fee structure and value EDGE Miles for travel bookings.

Who should pick Hdfc Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card?

Consider HDFC Bank Regalia Gold Credit Card if you want a lower annual fee with the possibility of a waiver on high spends, a wider variety of reward categories including groceries and shopping, and milestone flight vouchers that reward your annual spending. It is also suitable if you value concierge services and more international lounge visits, along with a lower forex markup for overseas transactions.