India is going cashless, and in that spirit, RuPay cards were developed. They are payment cards made to promote cashless transactions and financial inclusivity. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) launched them in 2012, and currently, over 1,100 banks issue RuPay cards.
RuPay cards became even more popular after they were linked with UPI, with issuance growing to 30% from a mere 5% in 2022-23. Using these cards, you can make payments to multiple merchants and online platforms. They support various services such as:
- ATM Withdrawals
- Point-of-Sale (POS) Transactions
- Online Shopping
The goal is to provide an efficient and safe payment system for all Indians. We want you to get the most out of your cards, so in this article, we will cover the benefits and some of the best RuPay credit cards available.
Coverings:
Benefits of Linking RuPay Credit Cards With UPI
There are many advantages to linking your RuPay card with the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), such as:
- Convenience: Make direct payments from your RuPay credit cards via UPI! No need to enter your card details every time you make a purchase. This means faster checkouts at billing counters or online shopping, etc.
- Increased Security: Instead of sharing your card details, you use a UPI PIN. This reduces the risk of fraud.
- Rewards: Many banks offer cashback and other rewards on payments made via UPI-linked RuPay credit cards.
- Credit Access: Using a RuPay credit card for UPI payments allows you to take advantage of your credit limit. This can help you better manage your cash flows.
- Accepted Widely: They are convenient for everyday transactions as they are accepted by various merchants and online platforms.
- Instant Transfers: Settle payments and bills immediately.
- No Extra Charges: It's a cost-effective way to make digital payments, as linking your RuPay credit card with UPI is typically free.
Best RuPay Credit Cards
RuPay cards seem like a good deal. However, not all of them are the same. That's why we have created a list of the best ones available to you!
1. Axis Bank RuPay Credit Cards
To cater to your many spending needs, Axis Bank offers multiple cards with appealing benefits, including:
- Cashback offers
- Discounts
- Convenience of linking to UPI
- Seamless transactions
Here are 3 Best RuPay credit cards offered by Axis Bank:
1. Fibe Axis RuPay Credit Card
If you love dining out and ordering food online, then the Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card may be a good option for you. It offers varying percentages of cashback on all spends and is free for life. This means no joining or annual fee, making it appealing to the cost-conscious consumer.
Fibe Axis Bank Credit Card Benefits:
- Cashback: Up to 3% cashback on food delivery, entertainment, and local commute; 1% on all other spends
- Airport Lounge Access: Free access to 4 domestic lounge visits per calendar year at select airports on spending ₹50,000.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on fuel spends between ₹400 and ₹5,000, with a maximum waiver of ₹400 per month
- Dining Delights: 15% off (up to ₹500) at over 10,000 partner restaurants across India with EazyDiner
What these benefits will cost you:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹0 |
Annual Fee |
₹0 |
Card Replacement Fee |
₹0 |
Cash Payment Fee |
₹100 |
Interest Charges |
3.6% per month |
Cash Withdrawal Fee |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Late Payment Fee |
|
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee |
3.5% of the transaction value |
Rent Transaction Fee |
1% capped at ₹1,500 per transaction |
2. IndianOil Axis Bank Credit Card
IndianOil Axis Bank is a good option for those who fuel up their vehicles a lot. It offers a cashback on fuel purchased at IndianOil outlets. But is it really cost-effective? Let's find out!
List of its features and benefits:
- Welcome Benefit: 100% value back on fuel transactions within the first 30 days, up to 1250 EDGE REWARD points
- Fuel Transactions: 4% value back on fuel spent at IndianOil outlets by earning 20 reward points per ₹100 spent
- Online Shopping: 1% value back on online shopping by earning 5 reward points per ₹100 spent
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on fuel spends between ₹400 and ₹4000, max waiver of ₹50
- Annual Fee Waiver: On spending more than ₹3.5 lakh in a year
- Discounts on Bookmyshow: Up to 10% discount on movie tickets booked via the platform
- Dining Delights: 15% off (up to ₹500) at partner restaurants on a minimum order value of ₹2,500
Axis IndiaOil Credit Card Benefits:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹500 |
Annual Fee |
1st Year: ₹0; 2nd Year: ₹500 |
Card Replacement Fee |
₹0 |
Cash Payment Fee |
₹100 |
Interest Charges |
3.6% per month |
Cash Withdrawal Fee |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Overdue Penalty |
|
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee |
3.5% of the transaction value |
Reward Redemption Fee |
Yes |
3. Axis My Zone Credit Card
If you are a foodie and love to watch movies on the big screen, then this card might be for you. Get instant discounts on Swiggy and BookMyShow, cahsback and other rewards.
Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card Benefits:
- Entertainment Benefits: Buy 1 movie ticket and get another at 100% discount at Paytm Movies. Get up to 200 off per month by using the “AXIS200” coupon code
- Swiggy Discount: Get up to ₹120 off on food delivery
- SonyLiv: Free annual subscription with ₹1,499 with your 1st purchase within 30 days of receiving the card
- Reward Points: 5 reward points for every ₹100 spent on online shopping and 1 reward point for other spends
- Dining Delights: 15% off (up to ₹500) at partner restaurants on a minimum order value of ₹2,500
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on fuel spends between ₹400 and ₹5,000, max waiver of ₹400 per month
- Lounge Access: 1 lounge access per quarter on spending ₹50,000 in the last 3 months
- Shopping Benefits: Save up to ₹1,000 on Ajio with a minimum purchase of ₹2,999 with a coupon (limited period offer)
What these benefits will cost you:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹500 |
Annual Fee |
1st Year: ₹0; 2nd Year: ₹500 |
Card Replacement Fee |
₹0 |
Cash Payment Fee |
₹100 |
Finance Charges |
3.6% per month |
Cash Withdrawal Fee |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Overdue Penalty |
|
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee |
3.5% of the transaction value |
Reward Redemption Fee |
Yes |
Sure, these cards offer benefits, but some of them have the tag of terms and conditions applied. Before choosing any credit card, make sure to understand its features and fees properly.
2. SBI RuPay Credit Cards
SBI RuPay cards are for the love of shopping and enjoying benefits at the same time. These cards are issued by the State Bank of India (SBI), making them a reliable option for everyday use.
Here are 2 Best RuPay credit cards offered by SBI:
1. SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card
This card is for frequent shoppers, offering unlimited benefits across a range of categories such as dining, groceries, and departmental stores.
SBI SimplySAVE Credit Card Benefits:
- Welcome Benefit: 2,000 bonus points on spending ₹2,000 or more in the first 60 days
- Reward Points: 10 reward points per ₹150 spent on dining, movies, departmental stores and grocery. 1 reward point per ₹150 spent on other spends
- Fuel Rewards: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹3000, with a maximum waiver of ₹100 per cycle
What you have to pay to get these benefits:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹499 |
AnnualFee |
₹499 from second year onwards (waived if annual spending for last year is more than ₹1 lakh) |
Cash Advance Fees |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Cash Payment Fee |
₹250 + taxes |
Finance Charges |
3.50% per month |
Late Payment Charges |
|
Reward Redemption Fee |
₹99 |
Card Replacement Fee |
₹100-₹250 |
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee |
3.5% of the transaction value |
2. Reliance SBI Card PRIME
This card is for those who frequently shop at Reliance outlets. It offers cashback offers for online shopping and other transactions.
A detailed look into its features and benefits:
- Welcome Benefits:
- Reliance Retail voucher worth ₹3,000/- on payment of joining fees.
- Additional discount vouchers worth ₹11,999/- of participating Reliance Retail stores
- Reward Points:
- 10 reward points per ₹100/- spent on the participating Reliance Retail Stores
- 5 reward points per ₹100/- spent on dining, movies & entertainment, domestic airlines and international spends
- 2 reward points per ₹100/- spent on other retail purchases, except fuel, property rental, wallet upload
- Annual Fee Waiver: On annual spends of ₹3 lakh in the previous year
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000, up to ₹100 per statement cycle
- Lounge Benefits: Free access to 8 domestic and 4 international airport lounges per calendar year (max. 2 per quarter)
What you have to pay to get these benefits:
Description |
Charges |
Annual Fee |
₹2,999 |
Renewal Fee |
₹2,999 |
Cash Advance Fees |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Cash Payment Fee |
₹250 + taxes |
Finance Charges |
3.50% per month |
Late Payment Charges |
|
Reward Redemption Fee |
₹99 |
Card Replacement Fee |
₹100-₹250 |
Foreign Currency Transaction Fee |
3.5% of the transaction value |
These cards offer benefits to help you get the most out of your RuPay cards. However, they do come at a price. So, before you choose a card, make sure that the rewards balance out the costs.
3. HDFC Bank Rupay Credit Cards
HDFC Bank offers a range of credit cards that are tailored to meet the diverse demands of its customers. Two popular options and their features include:
1. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card
It is designed for those who love shopping at Tata brands. You can earn cashback and reward points as NeuCoins.
Tata Neu HDFC Credit Card Benefits:
1. NeuCoins Rewards:
- 5% back as NeuCoins on non-EMI spends at Tata Neu and partner Tata brands
- 1.5% back on Non-Tata brand spends and any merchant EMI spends
- 1.5% back on UPI spends (max 500 NeuCoins per month)
- Additional NeuCoins on selected categories via the Tata Neu App
2. Lounge Access:
- Free access to 8 domestic airport lounges per year (2 per quarter)
- Free access to 4 international airport lounges per year (1 per quarter)
3. Insurance Coverage:
- Upto ₹1 crore cover for accidental air death
- Around ₹15 lakh cover for emergency overseas hospitalisation
- Lost card liability covers up to ₹9 lakh
4. Other Benefits:
- Foreign Currency Markup of 2% on all foreign currency spends
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 upto ₹500 per statement cycle.
- Welcome benefit of 1,499 NeuCoins after the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance
- Renewal fee waived off if spending ₹3 lakh or more in a year.
Fees charged for these benefits:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹1,499 |
Annual Fee |
₹1,499 |
Cash Advance Fees |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Charges on over limit account |
2.5% (Min. ₹550) |
Payment Return Charges |
2.5% (Min. ₹450) |
Late Payment Charges |
|
Late Fees |
₹500 + GST |
Cash Processing Fee |
₹100 |
Rewards Redemption Fee |
₹99 |
2. HDFC Bank MoneyBack Plus Credit Card
The buy more, save more card gives Cash Points for spending and more. Here is a detailed list of the key features and benefits offered:
- Rewards Program:
- 10X CashPoints on spending at Amazon, BigBasket, Flipkart, Reliance Smart SuperStore, and Swiggy
- 2 CashPoints for every ₹150 spent on other transactions (except EMI, fuel, wallet loads, and voucher purchases)
- Gift voucher worth ₹500 on spending ₹50,000 in a calendar quarter
- Discounts and Offers: Up to 20% discount at partner restaurants through Swiggy Dineout
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 up to ₹250 per statement cycle
- Additional Benefits:
- Interest-free period of up to 50 days from the date of purchase
- Access revolving credit at nominal interest rates
- Contactless payments with a limit of ₹5,000 per transaction without a PIN
- Renewal fee waived off on spending ₹50,000 or more in a year
Fees charged for these benefits:
Description |
Charges |
Joining Fee |
₹500 |
Annual Fee |
₹500 |
Cash Advance Fees |
2.5% (Min. ₹500) |
Over Limit Penalty |
2.5% (Min. ₹550) |
Payment Return Charges |
2.5% (Min. ₹450) |
Late Payment Charges |
|
Late Fees |
₹500 + GST |
Cash Processing Fee |
₹100 |
Rewards Redemption Fee |
₹99 |
These cards offer appealing benefits and features. However, there are certain costs associated with them. Before you get yourself a RuPay or any other credit card, make sure to understand these costs.
Conclusion
So, these were the best RuPay credit cards available, their features and charges. With many interesting benefits, credit cards may seem like a good deal at first glance. But remember, “all that glitters isn’t gold”. Read the fine print and understand what you have to pay to avail of these benefits.
Find the right card that helps you make the most of your spending. Head to Select's “Credit Card" section and compare over 90+ credit cards to find the one that suits you best. Better yet, let Genie do it for you! Just choose what kind of benefits (cashback, fuel, dining, travel, etc.) you want, and Genie will take care of the rest!