Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card vs IRCTC RBL 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

• Level up the travel with up to 40X benefits! The card has annual fee of Rs. 500, so the cardholder can end up with benefits worth up to Rs. 20,000 annually by shopping, dining, travel bookings, and more with this Card. That’s 40 times the value of the annual fee
• Redeem the Reward Points directly on IRCTC at incredible value - 1 Reward Point = Rs. 1
• Navigate the daily commutes effortlessly at metro and bus stations by simply tapping the card
• Enjoy a seamless payment process by using UPI, simply scan and pay for a smooth transaction process
• 8 complimentary (2 visits per quarter) lounge access at railway stations
• Enjoy Rs. 5,000 cancellation protection in case a train is cancelled at the last minute
• Transaction charges of 1% will be reversed on IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card. Max Rs. 200 surcharge waiver per month on transaction up to Rs. 5,000
• Get 5 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on train ticket bookings via the IRCTC website or App
• Get 3 Reward Points per Rs. 200 swiped on FASTag recharge from RBL Bank Digital Channels/NCMC Reload/UTS App
• Along with getting rewards on train tickets, cardholder can also avail 2 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on booking flights, hotels and cruises from the IRCTC website or App
• Get 1 Reward Point per Rs. 200 spent everywhere

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

• 8 complimentary (2 visits per quarter) lounge access at railway stations and get Rs. 5,000 cancellation protection in case a train is cancelled at the last minute
• Avail 2 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on booking flights, hotels and cruises from the IRCTC website or App
• Welcome benefits

Cons

• No dining or movie benefits
• No golf benefits
• No international/domestic airport lounge access