Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs HSBC Visa Platinum 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

• Nil joining and annual fees
• As welcome offer, when applying for the credit card online and verifying yourself, obtain an Amazon e-gift voucher worth Rs. 250. Spend at least Rs. 5,000 in the first 30 days and win Amazon vouchers worth Rs. 500 (Introductory offers are valid from 1 Jan 2024 till 30 June 2024)
• Convert the points into air miles with Club Vistara, Air India's Flying Returns, Etihad Airways, British Airways and Singapore Airlines
• Up to Rs. 3,000 annual savings on fuel surcharge with credit card waiver
• Avail 2 Reward points for every Rs. 150 spends
• Avail 5X the reward points on any purchase made after spending Rs. 4,00,000 subject to a maximum cap of 15,000 accelerated reward points in an anniversary year
• Zero liability for lost cards- Get insurance coverage for any misuse of the card from 24 hours before reporting it lost, up to Rs. 300,000
• Transfer outstanding balances from other bank credit cards to HSBC credit card and repay in easy monthly installments at a lower interest rate
• Get exclusive access to discounts with selected partners
• If the credit card gets lost, simply cancel it and the bank will issue an emergency card anywhere in the world – it'll only take 3 days
• Cardholder can also be able to take out cash advances, get global access to its accounts, and manage its money on-the-go with 24/7 online access to its account

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

• Convert the points into air miles with Club Vistara, Air India's Flying Returns, Etihad Airways, British Airways and Singapore Airlines
• Up to Rs. 3,000 annual savings on fuel surcharge with credit card waiver
• Avail 5X the reward points on any purchase made after spending Rs. 4,00,000 subject to a maximum cap of 15,000 accelerated reward points in an anniversary year

Cons

• No Airport Lounge access
• No Golf benefits