Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

• The Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card is issued entirely in digital form. No physical card is provided
• Card details are automatically registered under the Credit Card section of Kotak Mobile Banking after issuance
• The card can be connected with supported UPI applications and used for eligible merchant payments after setting a UPI PIN
• It is designed primarily for merchant UPI transactions. Credit cards linked to UPI generally cannot be used for person-to-person transfers, cash withdrawals or other transactions restricted under RuPay and NPCI rules
• Cardholders earn 3 Kotak Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on eligible transactions
• Reward points can be earned on both qualifying UPI purchases and regular card transactions completed virtually
• Regular virtual-card spending includes eligible online, e-commerce and international transactions
• Under standard non-cash redemption options, every 1,000 reward points are worth Rs. 100. This means one reward point ordinarily provides a value of Rs. 0.10
• A minimum of 1,000 reward points is required for redemption against regular options such as products, vouchers, recharge, movies or travel
• With effect from June 1, 2025, cash redemption provides a lower value of Rs. 0.07 per reward point
• Cash redemption requires at least 2,000 reward points
• Reward points may be redeemed through Kotak Rewards for mobile recharges, products, brand vouchers, movies, travel and other options available in the rewards catalogue
• Utility payments earn points only on spending of up to Rs. 35,000 in a statement cycle. Utility spending above this limit does not earn reward points
• Reward points are not earned on rent, fuel, railway, wallet-loading, EMI, education or balance-transfer transactions
• Insurance, government payments and online skill-based gaming transactions are also excluded from earning reward points
• Spending in excluded categories does not count towards any applicable milestone benefit
• The card has no joining fee and no annual renewal fee, making it lifetime free without any minimum-spending requirement
• Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must already hold an eligible Kotak Bank credit card

• Upon joining Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card, avail 50000 reward points on card activation and renewal
• 15 edge reward points for every Rs.200 spent
• 2X rewards on international spends
• Annual fee will be waived off on spending Rs.25 lakh in the preceding year
• Reduced markup of 1.5% on international transactions
• No cash withdrawal charges
• Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% for transactions between Rs.400 to Rs.4000 (Capped at Rs.400 per month)
• Reduced APR of 2.5% on extended credit
• Counterfeit/lost card liability up to credit limit
• Purchase protection: Rs.2 Lakhs
• Loss/Delay in baggage & Personal Documents: 500 USD
• Credit shield: Rs.5 Lakhs
• Air accident cover: Rs.450 Lakhs
• Complimentary airport concierge services: Get 8 complimentary VIP Assistance Services for a hassle-free experience. The services include assistance across airport processes, such as check-in, security check, immigration processes and porter services
• Complimentary luxury airport transfers: Get 4 complimentary chauffeured luxury airport pick-ups/drops every year
• Complimentary Priority Pass membership with unlimited visits: Cherish the benefit of unlimited complimentary international lounge visits for both primary and add-on cardholders along with the Priority Pass membership. 12 complimentary visits in a year for accompanying guests
• Avail unlimited complimentary domestic lounge visits for both the primary and add-on card holders. 12 complimentary guest visits in a year for accompanying guests
• Club ITC Culinaire Membership: Complimentary third night stay, 50% savings on published room tariff for suites on weekends, 25% Green Points on Food & Beverage spends, and Bouquet of 10 certificates and more
• Accorplus membership: Get 1 night complimentary stay across Asia Pacific region, complimentary room upgrade, 50% off on dining, and complimentary lunch buffet for 2 across Accor hotels in India
• Handcrafted Club Marriott Asia Pacific membership: Avail 20% off on food and beverage and 20% off on best available rates at participating Marriott hotels in India and on Weekend rates in the Asia Pacific
• Exclusive offers at Oberoi Hotels and Resorts: Get 15% savings on Room Only Rate and Room with Breakfast Rate or 3rd Night complimentary, 50% savings on Best Available Rates on suites
• 20% savings at Postcard hotels: Avail 20% off on best available room rate, anytime check-in and check out, and a complimentary lifestyle consultation (applicable at our hotels in Goa)
• Complimentary golf rounds: 50 Complimentary golf rounds every year across best golf courses in India
• Complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership: Savings of up to 25% across premium restaurants
• Buy 1 and Get 1 complimentary on BookMyShow: Buy 1 movie ticket and get up to Rs.500 off on the second ticket for a maximum of 5 times a month. And buy 1 non-movie ticket and get up to Rs.1000 off on the second ticket for a maximum of 5 times a month
• Dining delights: A dining proposition on Axis Bank cards which provides up to 20% discount at over 4,000 restaurants across India
• Handpicked experiences at extraordinaryweekends.com: Curated experiences such as sailing, golf, chef for a day, unique tours, etc
• Concessions on health and wellness coaching at Weljii: 1st complimentary information session and 25% savings on all health and wellness coaching plans
• Second medical opinion with world-class medical specialists: Referral-based service for second medical opinion with world-class specialists at reputed international hospitals
• Diagnoses at leading medical institutions: Exclusive savings on healthcare packages and pathology tests at Dr. Lal Pathlabs, Metropolis and SRL Diagnostics
• Global travel and medical assistance for international travel

Pros

• Lifetime free with no joining or renewal fee
• Supports merchant UPI payments through compatible UPI apps
• Earns rewards on eligible UPI and regular card transactions
• Instantly accessible as a virtual card through Kotak Mobile Banking
• Reward points can be redeemed for vouchers, shopping, travel, movies and recharges

Cons

• Available only to existing Kotak credit-card holders
• No physical credit card is issued
• Low effective reward rate of approximately 0.30% on regular redemptions
• No rewards on fuel, rent, EMI, education, wallet loading and several other categories
• No complimentary lounge access or fuel-surcharge waiver

Pros

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver
• Handcrafted Club Marriott Asia Pacific Membership
• Exclusive offers at Oberoi Hotels and Resorts

Cons

• High Joining and Annual Fees