Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST Classic 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

• The FIRST Classic Credit Card is now powered for UPI
• Limited Period Offer: 100% cashback up to Rs. 200, i.e. Rs. 50 each on first 4 UPI transactions
• Up to 3X reward points on all UPI spends
• 10X Reward Points on incremental spends above Rs. 20,000 per month and spends done on birthdays
• 3X Reward Points on online and offline purchases for spends up to Rs. 20,000 per month
• Unlimited Reward points that don’t expire
• Use the Reward points to instantly pay for online or in-store purchases
• 1X Reward Points on Insurance premium payments and Utility bill payments
• 1X = 1 Reward point per Rs. 150 spent
• Get 25% discount on movie tickets up to Rs. 100 on Paytm mobile app. This is valid once per month
• 4 complimentary Railway lounge visits per quarter
• Complimentary Roadside Assistance worth Rs. 1,399
• Fuel surcharge waiver of 1% at fuel stations in India, up to Rs. 200/month. This is applicable only on transactions done between Rs. 200 & Rs. 5000
• Enjoy 300+ Merchant offers all year long
• Get up to 20% discount at 1500+ restaurants
• Up to 15% discount at 3000+ Health & Wellness outlets
• Avail Personal Accident Cover of Rs. 2,00,000 and Lost Card Liability Cover of Rs. 25,000
• Convert all transactions above Rs. 2,500 into easy & convenient EMIs from the mobile app
• Instant EMI conversion for all online transactions above Rs. 2,500 on the bank’s OTP page
• Enjoy convenient transfer of balances from the other bank credit cards with IDFC Bank's balance transfer privilege

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

• 10X Rewards on all spends done on your Birthday
• Reward points will never expire
• Free Road Side Assistance(RSA) worth Rs. 1,399

Cons

• No milestone benefits
• Airport Lounge access limited, depends on the bank’s current offers
• Lifestyle benefits including Complimentary round of Golf is limited, depends on the bank’s current offers