Kotak White Reserve vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins 7-1. Marriott loyalists, every ₹150 = 8 Bonvoy points on Marriott + 2 elsewhere. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if ultra-premium kotak card; rewards come from milestone white pass value, not a per-spend rate..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · Milestone | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · Milestone | 2% |
| Forex markup | = 2% | = N/A |
| Welcome bonus | · N/A | 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹1,000,000 / yr | ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | = Not verified | = ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | · N/A | 770 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- Milestone White Pass rewards, up to ₹2.5 lakh value per year
- Club Marriott membership (up to 25% off dining in India, up to 20% across Asia Pacific)
- 2% forex markup
- Annual fee waived at ₹10 lakh annual spend
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
FAQ
›Kotak White Reserve vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins on more dimensions (7 vs 1). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern, see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Kotak White Reserve for its best categories, HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Kotak White Reserve doesn't list a welcome bonus. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.