Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs Axis Bank Rewards 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

• On every Rs. 125 spends, gain unlimited 2 EDGE REWARD points
• Avail 10X reward points on every Rs. 125 spent on apparel and departmental stores
• Receive accelerated points for spends up to Rs. 7000 per month on specific categories
• Membership Benefits: Gain a bouquet of memberships up to Rs. 1,000 every anniversary year
• Milestone Benefits: Avail 1,500 EDGE REWARD points on net spends of Rs. 30,000 per statement cycle
• 30% off on Swiggy food delivery. This is applicable on minimum transaction of Rs. 200 per order and can be availed up to 2 times in a month
• 2 complimentary lounge access per quarter at selected domestic airports
• 1% fuel surcharge on fuel purchases at all fuel stations within India. This is valid on transactions between Rs. 400 to Rs. 5,000 only
• Purchase Protection Cover up to Rs. 1 Lakh
• Credit Shield 1 Lakh
• Loss of Check-in Baggage Cover up to 500 USD
• Cover up to USD 300 for the following: Delay of check-in baggage and Loss of travel documents
• Enjoy up to 15% off, maximum Rs. 500, at partnered restaurants in India
• Annual Fee of Rs. 1,000 will be waived off by making annual spends of Rs. 2,00,000 and above
• Wednesday Delight Offer: Get up to 15% on flights and hotels via Goibibo and Makemytrip, 10% off on orders via Swiggy and Amazon Fresh, 10% off up to Rs. 1000 on Tira

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

* Unlimited 2 EDGE REWARD points on every Rs. 125 spends
* Accelerated points for spends up to Rs. 7000 per month on specific categories
* Gain a bouquet of memberships up to Rs. 1,000 every anniversary year

Cons

* No access to international lounges at airports
* No golf benefits are provided