Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs HDFC Bank Freedom 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

• Earn 1 reward point on every spend of Rs. 150 and above
• Redeem points for cashback
• Get a gift voucher worth Rs. 1000 on annual spends of Rs. 90,000 and higher
• Get a welcome and renewal benefit of 500 reward points on fee realization
• Earn 25X reward points on your birthday spends
• 10X reward points on PayZapp & SmartBuy spends
• Earn 5X reward points for spends on dining/ movies/ groceries/ railways/ taxis
• If annual spends are below Rs. 50,000, renew the card for a nominal fee of Rs. 500
• Fuel fee waiver of 1%, capped at Rs. 250 per statement cycle (Applicable on minimum transaction of Rs.400 and maximum of Rs.5,000 ) GST will be applicable
• Enjoy safe and secure transactions with chip-enabled cards
• Zero liability on the lost card if reported immediately
• HDFC Bank Freedom Credit Card has been enabled for contactless payments, hence, enjoy doing fast, convenient and secure payments at retail outlets.
• Spend Rs. 50,000 in a year and get a waiver of next year’s annual membership
• Obtain up to 3 add on credit cards for free

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

• Spend Rs. 50,000 in a year and get a waiver of next year’s annual membership
• Pay only 1.99% interest per month if card is issued against fixed deposit
• Zero liability on lost card if reported immediately

Cons

• No golf/coaching sessions
• No complimentary Airport Lounge access