American Express Membership Rewards Card vs HDFC Regalia Gold
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
HDFC Regalia Gold wins 6 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.7/10 vs 8.0/10.
| Feature | American Express Membership Rewards Card | HDFC Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹4,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 1.73% |
| Max Reward Rate | 5% | 3.3% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 2% |
| Domestic Lounges | 4 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Amex | Visa Signature |
When to Choose American Express Membership Rewards Card
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹1.5L in first 90 days for first year
- You want higher rewards — up to 5% vs 3.3%
- Your primary spend is: general, amex-ecosystem
When to Choose HDFC Regalia Gold
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹3L/year
- You travel internationally — saves ₹1,500/year on ₹1L forex spend
- Airport lounge access matters — 8 domestic visits
- Your primary spend is: travel, dining, general
Forex Cost Comparison
On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: American Express Membership Rewards Card costs ₹4,130 in forex fees vs HDFC Regalia Gold at ₹2,360. You save ₹1,770/year with HDFC Regalia Gold.
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on American Express Membership Rewards Card's ₹4,500 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹75,000/month.
To break even on HDFC Regalia Gold's ₹2,500 fee at 1.73% rewards, spend ₹12,042/month.