Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST Select 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

• 2 complimentary visits to domestic airport lounges every quarter
• Low forex markup fee at just 1.99%
• Free trip cancellation cover up to Rs. 10,000- Get reimbursed up to Rs. 10,000 on non-refundable hotel and flight cancellations
• Complimentary railway lounge visits- 4 complimentary visits to lounges at select Indian railway terminals
• Buy-1-Get-1 movie ticket offers- Use the 'Buy One, Get One' discount, up to Rs. 125, on the District by Zomato mobile app (valid twice per month)
• 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver up to Rs. 300 in a statement cycle at all fuel stations in India on transactions between Rs. 200 and Rs. 5,000
• Over 300+ merchant offers- Enjoy 300+ brand offers across dining, shopping, travel and more, all year long
• Air Accident Cover of Rs. 1 Crore
• Personal Accident Cover of Rs. 5,00,000
• Lost Card Liability Cover of Rs. 50,000
• Comprehensive Travel Insurance Cover of USD 300
• Complimentary Roadside Assistance worth Rs. 1,399- 24/7 roadside assistance during car or two-wheeler emergencies across India
• VISA Offers are as follows:

a. Airport meet and greet discounts- Enjoy exclusive discounts on meet and greet services at 450+ airports worldwide

b. Airport transfer discounts- Exclusive discounts on limousine services in over 3000 cities across 83 countries

c. Travel concierge at your fingertips- Avail personalized assistance for all travel needs. This service provides a modern, personalized experience for self-booking dining, staycations, flights, and activities

• MasterCard Offers is as follows: Complimentary golf rounds and lessons- 4 complimentary golf rounds and 12 complimentary golf lessons a year across the globe. Enjoy India Golf Program that includes 4 complimentary rounds of green fees per calendar year (1 round in a 1 calendar month), and 12 complimentary golf lessons per calendar year (1 lesson per calendar month). Enjoy APAC Golf Program that offers 50% Off on Golf rounds or lessons across Australia, Bangladesh, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, New Zealand, South Korea, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan
• Instant EMI conversion for all online transactions above Rs. 2,500 on the bank’s OTP page
• Low interest rates (APR)- Starts at just 8.5% per annum
• Interest-free cash withdrawals from ATMs for up to 45 days. One-time cash withdrawal fee of Rs. 199 + GST is applicable
• Activate UPI at just Rs. 199- Joining and Annual fee (2nd year onwards) of just Rs. 199 + GST, Limited period offer get 100% cashback up to Rs. 200 i.e. Rs. 50 each on the first 4 UPI transactions, and Earn up to 3X reward points on your spends
• Enjoy 10X Reward points on incremental spends above Rs. 20,000 per statement cycle and spends done on your birthday
• Avail 3X Reward Points on spends till Rs. 20,000 in a statement cycle
• Avail 1X Reward Points on Insurance premium payments and Utility bill payments
• Convert all transactions above Rs. 2,500 into EMIs

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

• Get 10X Reward Points on crossing spends of Rs. 20,000 in a statement cycle and on birthdays
• Get reimbursed up to Rs. 10,000 on non-refundable hotel and flight cancellations
• 4 complimentary visits to lounges at select Indian railway terminals

Cons

• No International Airport Lounge access
• Welcome gift voucher is only provided on spending Rs. 5000 or more within 30 days of card generation
• No Priority Pass facility