India is seeing a steady rise in credit card usage, with banks rolling out new offers and features to attract fresh customers and persuade existing cardholders to switch. There are numerous websites and apps where customers can compare benefits, including the number of free airport lounges and travel offers, to choose the best credit card tailored to their needs. Here, we give you insight to the best credit cards that offer the most at lower fees. You can compare the benefits and choose the one. Is HDFC Regalia Gold the best?

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

The HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card is one of the most sought-after premium credit cards in India, offering a strong combination of rewards, travel perks, and lifetime benefits. However, it faces competition from several other cards that challenge its position in the market. This article examines the HDFC Regalia Gold alongside its top three competitors: SBI Card PRIME, ICICI Bank Sapphiro, and Axis Bank SELECT.

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Annual Fees and Charges

• The card has an initial and annual fee of ₹2,500 plus GST.
• The renewal fee is waived if the cardholder spends ₹4 lakh or more in a calendar year.
• The foreign currency markup is 2%, making it suitable for international transactions.

Rewards

• For every ₹150 spent on retail purchases, the cardholder earns 4 reward points.
• Purchases at partner merchants like Nykaa, Myntra, Marks & Spencer, and Reliance Digital earn 5 times the rewards (20 points per ₹150).

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

• ₹2,500 gift voucher to the new cardholders
• ₹1 lakh spending in the initial 90 days of card issuance
• Free Swiggy One and MMT Black Elite membership
• 12 domestic airport lounge visits each year
• 6 international lounge visits via the Priority Pass membership
• ₹1,500 worth of vouchers on spending ₹1.5 lakh per quarter
• ₹5,000 worth of flight vouchers on 5 lakh spending
• Additional ₹5,000 flight vouchers on 7.5 lakh
• The card comes with full insurance coverage
• ₹1 crore air accident cover with purchase protection
• No liability for a lost card if it is reported immediately

Axis Bank SELECT

The Axis Bank SELECT card is designed for people who spend on retail. It offers high benefits for shopping and dining.

Annual Fees and Charges

• Joining fee of ₹3,000 and an equal annual fee.
• Free for Burgundy customers.
• Renewal fee is waived if annual spending reaches ₹8 lakh.
• Foreign currency markup is 3.5%.

Rewards

• Cardholders earn 10 EDGE points for every ₹200 spent.
• They earn 20 EDGE points for every ₹200 spent on retail purchases, up to ₹20,000 per month.
• Each EDGE point has a redemption value of approximately ₹0.20.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

• The card offers 12 international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass membership
• It also provides 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter
• Lounge access is subject to a minimum quarterly spend of ₹50,000
• New cardholders will earn 10,000 EDGE points of 2,000 in the first transaction
• The card offers 6 free golf rounds per year.
• It provides a 1% waiver on fuel surcharge for purchases between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
• Cardholders receive dining discounts through the Axis Dining Delights program.

SBI Card PRIME

Premium lifestyle credit card offering extensive travel and dining perks.

Annual Fees and Charges

• Joining fee: ₹2,999 + GST.
• Annual fee: ₹2,999 + GST (waived if annual spending reaches ₹3 lakh).
• Foreign currency markup: 3.5%.

Rewards

• Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on regular purchases.
• Earn 10 reward points for every ₹100 spent on dining, groceries, departmental stores, and movies.
• On birthdays, earn 20 reward points for every ₹100 spent.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

• 8 domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).
• 4 international lounge visits via Priority Pass membership.
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver, up to ₹250 per month.
• 50% discount on golf games.
• 25% discount on dining through the American Express Dining Platform.

ICICI Bank Sapphiro

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro targets high spenders on travel and lifestyle.

Annual Fees and Charges: 

• Joining fee: ₹6,500 + GST.
• Annual fee: ₹3,500 + GST.
• Renewal fee is waived for annual spending of ₹6 lakh.
• Foreign currency markup: 3.5%.

Rewards

• Earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 spent on domestic transactions.
• Earn 4 reward points for every ₹100 spent on international transactions.
• Milestone program: earn 4,000 points on ₹4 lakh annual spending.
• Earn 2,000 points for every additional ₹1 lakh spent after that.

Airport Lounges And Other Benefits

• 16 domestic lounge visits per year.
• 2 international lounge visits per year.
• Domestic lounge access is generous, but international access is limited.
• Welcome benefits: ₹13,000 worth of shopping and travel vouchers for new cardholders.
• Additional benefits: Up to 4 complimentary golf rounds per month on retail spending of ₹50,000 in the previous month.

(Disclaimer: The information provided about credit cards, including benefits, fees, and offers, is for general informational purposes only and may change over time. Readers should verify all details directly with the respective banks or official sources before applying or making any financial decisions)

It won’t be an understatement that India’s cultural heartbeat often lies far beyond its bustling metros and historic cities. In its villages, traditions unfold in vibrant fairs that draw thousands of visitors each year. These sleepy hamlets remain quiet for most of the year, but during festival season, they transform into buzzing hubs of color, trade, and celebration. Here are five Indian villages where annual fairs turn them into magnets for tourists.

Pushkar, Rajasthan

For most of the year, Pushkar is a tranquil desert town famous for its sacred lake and temples. But come November, the Pushkar Camel Fair changes everything. Thousands of camels, horses, and livestock flood the sands, creating one of the world’s largest cattle fairs. Beyond trading, the event offers folk performances, camel races, and even quirky competitions like the “longest moustache” contest. Tourists throng the village, turning it into a carnival where spirituality meets spectacle.

Sonepur, Bihar

Sonepur, located near the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak rivers, is usually a quiet village. But during Kartik Purnima (November–December), it hosts the legendary Sonepur Cattle Fair, once known as the largest cattle fair in Asia. Traditionally, elephants, horses, and cattle were traded here, though the scale has reduced in modern times. Even today, the fair is a magnet for visitors who come for the cultural programs, stalls, and the vibrant rural bazaar atmosphere.Read more: 5 lesser-known heritage sites made famous by Bollywood and are worth exploring

Puri, Odisha

While Puri is known globally for the Jagannath Temple, the small town truly transforms during the Rath Yatra (Chariot Festival). The massive wooden chariots carrying Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra, and Subhadra attract lakhs of devotees and tourists. For days, the entire village-town turns into a spiritual fairground. Streets are packed with pilgrims, markets overflow with handicrafts and local sweets, and the festive energy is unmatched.Read more: 5 valleys famous of seasonal flower blooms in India

Baneshwar, Rajasthan

A tiny tribal village in Rajasthan, Baneshwar comes alive during the Baneshwar Fair held in either January or February. It is one of the largest tribal fairs in India, celebrated by the Bhil tribe. The fair honors Lord Shiva and Vishnu, with folk songs, dances, and rituals performed around the Baneshwar Mahadev temple. The otherwise remote and sleepy village becomes a cultural hotspot, drawing not just tribes but also curious tourists looking for an authentic glimpse into tribal traditions.

Hemis, Ladakh

Nestled in the cold desert of Ladakh, the Hemis Monastery is surrounded by a quiet village for most of the year. But during the Hemis Festival, held in June or July, the place turns into a vibrant stage for masked dances (Cham), rituals, and Buddhist celebrations honoring Guru Padmasambhava. The remote hamlet suddenly teems with tourists, photographers, and monks, all captivated by the dramatic backdrop of the Himalayas and the spiritual .