Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs HDFC Regalia 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

• Avail 4 Reward Points on every Rs.150 spent on all retail spends including Insurance
• Zero Lost card liability 
• Foreign Currency Markup : 3.5% on all foreign currency spends
• Enjoy Revolving Credit on the credit card at nominal interest rate
• 24/7 Concierge Services
• Complimentary Airport Lounge Access within India: The lounge access program is be based on credit card spends. Spend Rs.1 Lakh or more in a calendar quarter (Jan-Mar | Apr-June | Jul-Sept | Oct-Dec). Avail up to 2 complimentary lounge access vouchers as part of quarterly milestone benefit
• Priority Pass: Lounge access outside India using priority pass is not based on spends. Apply for Priority Pass for self and add on members once you have completed minimum 4 retail transactions. Using Priority Pass, cardholder and the add on member can together avail up to 6 Complimentary Lounge Access per calendar year, outside India. If exceeded the 6 Complimentary visits, there will be a charge of US $27 + GST per visit. Guests accompanying the primary card holder must have an Add-on credit card with their own Priority Pass
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver at fuel stations across India on minimum transaction of Rs. 400  and maximum transaction of Rs. 5000
• Enjoy dining benefits with the Good Food Trail program: Avail up to 7.5% savings on all restaurant bill payments via Swiggy Dineout (20k+ restaurants). The offer is inclusive of Restaurant and Swiggy Discount. Offer valid only on payments done via the Swiggy App
• Milestone Benefit: Obtain Bonus 10,000 Reward Points when making spends of Rs. 5 lakhs in the anniversary year. Earn additional 5,000 Reward Points when spending Rs. 8 lakhs spends in the anniversary year
• Renewal fee waived off if spends exceeds more than Rs. 3 Lakhs in the previous year
• HDFC Bank Regalia Credit Card provides the option to convert big spends into EMI after purchase
• The credit card is enabled for contactless payments
• Accidental air death cover worth Rs. 1 Crore
• Emergency overseas hospitalization: Up to Rs. 15 lakhs
• Lost Card Liability Cover : Up to Rs 9 lakhs   

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

• Earn 10,000 Reward Points when achieving annual spends of Rs. 5 lakhs
• Accidental air death cover worth Rs. 1 Crore
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Cons

• Slightly high Annual Fee
• No golf/coaching sessions