Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card vs Pine Labs HDFC Bank Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card vs Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card

In short: HDFC Pine Labs has the lower annual fee (₹499 vs ₹2,499); BOB Eterna has the lower forex markup (2% vs 3.5%).

Key factsBOB EternaHDFC Pine Labs
Annual fee₹2,499₹499
Joining fee₹2,499₹499
Annual fee waivedOn ₹2.5 lakh annual spendOn ₹50,000 annual spend
Lounge accessUnlimited domestic lounge accessNot listed
Forex markup2%3.5%

From issuer benefit data, checked 22 Oct 2026. Rewards, milestones and welcome benefits are in the full table below.

The Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card and the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card cater to different user needs with distinct fee structures, reward rates, and travel perks. Bank Of Baroda's card offers higher reward points and unlimited domestic lounge access, while the Pine Labs HDFC card has a lower joining and renewal fee but higher forex markup. Both cards provide fuel surcharge waivers and milestone rewards, but their reward redemption options and fee waiver criteria differ significantly.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card
Best for travel → Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card
Best for low fee → Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card
Best for beginners → Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card
Feature Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card
BankBank Of BarodaHDFC Bank
NetworkMasterCardVisa
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.2499Joining Fee of Rs.499
Annual / renewal feeAnnual Fee of Rs.2499Renewal Fee of Rs.499
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.2.5 Lakhs For Annual Fee WaiverSpend Rs.50000 For Renewal Fee Waiver
Reward rate (headline)Earn 3 Reward Points per Rs.100Earn 2 Reward Points per Rs.150
Lounge — domesticUnlimited Complimentary Access to Domestic Airport lounges—
Welcome benefitWelcome Benefit - Complimentary Pro Membership of Fitpass—
Milestone benefitEarn 10000 bonus reward points on spending Rs.50000; Earn 20000 bonus reward points on spending Rs.500000Earn 2500 Bonus Rewards Points
Foreign currency markup2% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

The Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card clearly leads in rewards with 3 reward points per Rs.100 spent and accelerated 5X points on dining, online, travel, and international spends, capped at 5000 points. It also offers substantial milestone bonuses of 10,000 and 20,000 points on specified spends. In contrast, the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card earns 2 reward points per Rs.150 spent with 4 points per Rs.150 on online spends and a smaller milestone bonus of 2500 points. Redemption values are comparable but the Baroda card's higher earning rate makes it more rewarding for active spenders.

Which is better for travel?

For travel benefits, the Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card offers unlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges, which is a significant perk for frequent domestic travelers. The Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card does not provide any lounge access benefits. However, the Baroda card has a lower forex markup at 2% compared to 3.5% on the HDFC card, making it more cost-effective for international travel. Overall, the Baroda card is better suited for travel-focused users.

Which has lower effective cost?

The Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card has a much lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.499 compared to Rs.2499 on the Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card. The fee waiver thresholds also differ, with Baroda requiring Rs.25000 spend for waiver and HDFC requiring Rs.45000 spend for the first year waiver. While Baroda's fee is higher, it offers more premium benefits like lounge access and higher rewards, which may justify the cost for some users. For those prioritizing lower fees and simpler waiver criteria, the HDFC card is more suitable.

Reward Redemption Flexibility

The Bank Of Baroda card allows redemption of reward points for cashback at a rate of 1 point = Rs.0.25, while the Pine Labs HDFC card offers multiple redemption options including vouchers, statement balance credits, travel bookings, and air miles, though at slightly lower rates for cashback and travel. This makes the HDFC card more versatile for users who prefer varied redemption choices.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, but the Baroda card's waiver applies on transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5000, whereas the HDFC card's waiver will be applicable starting October 1, 2025. Users who frequently spend on fuel may want to consider the timing and terms of these waivers.

Who should pick Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card?

Consider Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card if you are a frequent domestic traveler who values unlimited lounge access and accelerated reward points on dining, travel, and online spends. This card is also ideal if you can meet higher spending milestones to maximize bonus points and are comfortable with a higher joining and renewal fee for premium benefits.

Who should pick Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card?

Consider Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card if you prefer a credit card with a lower joining and renewal fee and are looking for straightforward rewards primarily on online spends. This card suits users who want a simpler fee waiver condition and are less focused on travel perks or lounge access, and who can benefit from moderate milestone rewards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the joining and renewal fees for both cards?

The Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card has a joining and renewal fee of Rs.2499 each, while the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card charges Rs.499 for joining and renewal.

Which card offers better rewards on travel and dining?

The Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card offers accelerated 5X reward points on travel and dining spends, making it better for these categories compared to the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card.

Are there any lounge access benefits?

Yes, the Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card provides unlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges, whereas the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card does not offer any lounge access.

What is the forex markup fee for both cards?

The Bank Of Baroda card charges a 2% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, while the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card charges a higher 3.5% forex markup.

How can the annual fee be waived for both cards?

For the Bank Of Baroda Eterna Mastercard Credit Card, spending Rs.25000 can waive the joining fee. For the Pine Labs Hdfc Bank Credit Card, spending Rs.45000 can waive the first-year fee.

Do both cards offer fuel surcharge waivers?

Yes, both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, but the Baroda card's waiver applies immediately on transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5000, while the HDFC card's waiver starts from October 1, 2025.