Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs HDFC Moneyback 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

• Annual Spend based benefit: By spending Rs. 50,000 and above in each calendar quarter, get Rs. 500 worth gift vouchers
• Renewal Offer: In the first year, spend Rs. 50,000 and above to get renewal membership fee waived off
• Get 2 Reward Points on every Rs. 150 spent 
• Get 2X Reward Points i.e. 4 Reward Points on every Rs. 150 spent online (With effect from 15th July 2020, cardholders can earn up to 500 Reward Points per statement cycle for online spends, under the 2X RP feature)
• Every quarter, get a gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on spends of Rs. 50,000. Earn up to Rs. 2,000 worth gift vouchers in a year
• Zero Lost card liability
• Up to 50 days of interest free period from the date of purchase
• Enjoy Revolving Credit at nominal interest rate
• Enjoy amazing dining benefits with Good Food Trail program. Get up to 20 % savings off on all restaurant bill payments via Swiggy Dineout (20k + restaurants). This offer is inclusive of Restaurant and Swiggy Discount. This offer is valid only on payments done via Swiggy App
• 1% Fuel Surcharge waiver on fuel transactions on minimum transaction of Rs. 400 and maximum transaction of Rs. 5,000
• Avail facility of converting big spends into EMI after purchase
• HDFC Bank MoneyBack Credit Card is enabled for contactless payments
• Reward Points can be used for redemption against travel benefits such as Flight and Hotel bookings, and the card members can redeem up to a maximum of 50% of the booking value through Reward Points and Rewards Catalogue at the SmartBuy Rewards Portal

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

• Zero liability on the lost card if reported immediately
• With the EMV Chip technology presented in the card, stay protected against fraud
• Avail up to 50 days of the interest-free period from the date of purchase, and enjoy Revolving Credit at a nominal interest rate

Cons

• The Reward points are only valid for 2 years
• No complimentary Airport Lounge Access
• High-interest rate of 3.49%