HDFC rejections are weird. Let me explain what probably happened:

The real reasons (not what they tell you):

• No existing HDFC relationship - This is HUGE. HDFC heavily favors existing customers. No savings account = auto-handicap.

• Applied online - Branch applications have better approval rates. RM can push your application.

• "New to credit" flag - 2 years history isn't enough for HDFC's algos for Regalia. They want 3+ years.

• Income documentation - Did you show Form 16 or just salary slips? They prefer Form 16 + ITR.

What to do now:

Option 1 (Recommended): Open HDFC Imperia/Preferred account
• Maintain ₹2L balance for 3 months
• Auto pre-approved offer will come
• Then apply via RM

Option 2: Step-down to Millennia
• Get Millennia first (easier approval)
• Use for 1 year properly
• Request upgrade to Regalia

Option 3: Wait 6 months
• Don't apply for ANY cards meanwhile
• Build relationship with HDFC (savings account)
• Increase salary by year-end
• Try again with RM support

I was in EXACT same situation. Went with Option 1. Got Regalia in 4 months. Now have Infinia after 2 years.

Don't get discouraged. HDFC rejections are normal even for qualified people.

This is the HDFC game. Everyone goes through it.

I got rejected for Millennia (yes, their entry card) with ₹22 LPA income. Reason? "Insufficient credit history" - I had 5 cards with 4 years history!

The truth: HDFC has black box algorithms. Nobody knows exactly what they look for.

What worked for me:
• Opened HDFC salary account (company had tie-up)
• Waited 2 months
• RM called with pre-approved offer (Regalia directly!)
• Approved in 2 days

The salary account is the hack. Everything else is secondary.

Branch RM is the key.

Online applications are lottery. Branch has quotas to meet.

My experience:
• Online: Rejected for Regalia
• Same day visited branch: "Sir we can give you Diners Black"
• Me: "But I just got rejected for Regalia?"
• RM: "Different process sir, this is pre-approved"

Applied through branch, approved in 3 days.

The branch RM can override a lot of the automated rejections. Go talk to them.

Unpopular opinion: It's probably good you got rejected.

Regalia AF is ₹2,500. Fee waiver at ₹3L annual spend.

At 18 LPA, you probably don't spend ₹3L on credit cards annually (most people don't).

Alternative: HDFC Millennia (LTF)
• Lifetime free (zero AF ever)
• 5% cashback on Amazon/Flipkart (via SmartBuy)
• 1% cashback everywhere
• Same SmartBuy access

For your spend pattern, Millennia might actually be BETTER than Regalia.

I have both. Use Millennia more because no AF pressure.

Here's what ACTUALLY matters for HDFC cards:

• Existing HDFC relationship (40% weightage)
- Savings account > 1 year: ++++ - Imperia/Preferred: +++++ - No account: ----

• Income PROOF not income (30% weightage)
- Form 16 + ITR: ++++ - Just salary slips: ++ - Bank statements only: +

• Credit history LENGTH (20% weightage)
- 5+ years: ++++ - 3-5 years: +++ - <3 years: ++ - <2 years: +

• Employer brand (10% weightage)
- FAANG/Top MNC: +++ - Other MNC: ++ - Startup: +

You have good income but weak on #1 and #3. That's why rejection.

Solution: Build #1 (get HDFC account) and wait for #3 (time).

Don't worry about it. HDFC rejection is a rite of passage in the credit card community

We've ALL been there. Keep building your profile and try again.

Meanwhile, Axis and ICICI are more welcoming!

Try C2C (Card-to-Card) application:

Visit branch with your highest limit card (the ₹2L ICICI).

Tell RM you want Regalia on card-to-card basis.

They sometimes approve when you show existing high limit cards from other banks.

Worked for me with ₹1.5L Axis card → Got ₹4L HDFC Regalia.

Worth a shot!

My HDFC rejection saga:

Attempt 1 (2020): Rejected - "Income insufficient" (₹15L)
Attempt 2 (2021): Rejected - "Credit history" (₹18L)
Attempt 3 (2022): Approved! (₹22L + HDFC salary account)

What changed: Salary account + higher income + 3 year gap from first application.

Sometimes you just need to wait and grow. Don't force it.

Use this time to build relationship with other banks. HDFC will come.

HDFC RM told me candidly:

"Sir, for Regalia we prefer minimum 3 years credit history with at least one limit of ₹3L+. Your cards are too new and limits too low."

So it's not income. It's:
• Length of credit history
• Existing high limits

Get your Amazon Pay limit increased to ₹3L+. Use for 1 more year. Then try again.

Credit card game is a marathon, not sprint.

Skip HDFC, get Axis Magnus instead.

Better card, easier approval, superior travel benefits.

I wasted 1 year chasing HDFC. Got Magnus in 2 weeks. Never looked back.

Stop chasing brands. Chase value.

Document checklist that worked for me (branch application):

• Form 16 (most recent)
• Last 3 months salary slips
• Last 6 months bank statement (salary account)
• ITR acknowledgment
• Existing card statements (showing good payment)
• Address proof
• PAN card

Take ALL of these to branch. Don't rely on online document upload.

Over-documentation > under-documentation for HDFC.

Hey OP, don't get demotivated.

I got rejected for Regalia twice. Now I have Infinia.

The rejection teaches you patience and strategy. Use this time to:
• Build HDFC relationship
• Increase credit history length
• Boost income if possible
• Learn the system

You WILL get the card eventually. Just not today.

Meanwhile, there are 50+ other great cards out there!