Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs IRCTC HDFC Bank 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 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Get 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on all other spends
• Avail an additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC Bank SmartBuy
• 8 complimentary access to selected IRCTC Executive Lounges every year (2 per quarter)
• Get a 1% transaction charges waiver on transactions done on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Spend Rs. 1,50,000 or more in one year before Credit Card renewal and get the renewal fee waived off
• Up to 50 days of interest-free period from the date of purchase
• Revolving Credit available at a nominal interest rate
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000
• Milestone Benefits: Get a gift voucher valued at Rs. 500 when you make quarterly spends of Rs. 30,000 or more (every 90 days from the date of issue)
• IRCTC Executive Lounge Benefits: Get 8 complimentary access to selected IRCTC Executive Lounges every year (2 per quarter)
• It is now possible to link IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card to select UPI apps: PayZapp/ GPay/ PhonePe/ Mobikwik/ PayTM/ BHIM/ Slice
• A maximum of 500 reward points can be earned on UPI spends in a calendar month using the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
• Convert big spends into EMI after purchase
• The IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card is equipped with contactless payment technology for added convenience and speed

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

• Complimentary access to Executive Lounges of IRTC
• 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Get 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on all other spends

Cons

• No golf benefits are provided
• No airport lounge access
• No movie and dining benefits