Synopsis: This article covers the top 7 UPI-compatible credit cards that let you make QR-based payments for your everyday needs while earning rewards and cashback.
The introduction of credit cards with India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has completely changed digital payments structure. By allowing users to make instant, secure, QR-code-based payments using their credit limit instead of their bank balance.
This feature offers the convenience of UPI’s wide merchant acceptance (even at small local shops) with the benefits of a credit card. These benefits are in reward points, cashback, and a short interest-free credit period.
The best UPI credit card completely depends on your spending patterns. If you happen to be someone who prioritises cashback then it is for the best that you go with redeemable points as cash.
However, if you need travel benefits then you have to look for the card that rewards you for the particular spending like flight or train booking. For the convenience, here are 7 top (mixed categories) UPI-compatible RuPay credit cards to consider:
Kiwi RuPay Credit Card (Issued by YES Bank/AU Bank)
- Annual Fee: Lifetime free (Neon upgrade ₹999+ Taxes optional)
- Joining Fee: Nil
- UPI Activation: Instant via Kiwi app to GPay/PhonePe, rewards on UPI merchant scans
Benefits:
- 1.5% minimum return as ‘Kiwi’ on all offline UPI spends
- 1 Kiwi = ₹0.25 statement credit.
- Cashbacks are capped at 1% of credit card limit
HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹99 (Waived at annual spend of ₹25,000 and more)
- Joining Fee: ₹99
- UPI Activation: Via HDFC/PayZapp or UPI apps, same rates as card swipes
Benefits:
- 3% CashPoints on groceries, dining via PayZapp (up to 500 per month)
- 2% on utilities
- 1% on other expenses (excl. rent, wallets, EMIs, fuel, govt)
- 1 CashPoint = ₹0.25 as statement credit
- The effective value-back is 0.75% on 3% categories and 0.25% on 1% categories
IDFC FIRST HPCL Power Plus RuPay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹499+ Taxes
- Joining Fee: ₹499+ Taxes (waivable)
- UPI Activation: Direct UPI link, category-based rewards
Benefits:
- 5% savings as rewards points on transaction for Grocery & Utility
- Category rewards on UPI grocery, utilities, FASTag (or base rate)
- Up to 8.83% back on partnered hotel & flight bookings done with IDFC FIRST Mobile App
Axis Bank SuperMoney RuPay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: Lifetime free
- Joining Fee: Nil
- UPI Activation: Via SuperMoney app, QR payments rewarded
Benefits:
- 3% cashback on SuperMoney UPI QR payments (capped ₹500/month)
- 1% cashback on all other eligible spends
- 1% Fuel surcharge waiver on spending of ₹400 and ₹4,000 (Capped at ₹400 per statement cycle)
Jupiter Edge CSB Bank RuPay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: Nil
- Joining Fee: Nil (Limited Time Offer)
- UPI Activation: Jupiter app integration for UPI rewards
Benefits:
- 10% cashback on shopping (Selected Merchants)
- 5% cashback on travel booking with partnered platforms
- 1% cashback on other eligible spends
Note: reward value is given as ‘Jewels’. 1 Jewel = ₹0.20 statement credit/cash.
Kredit.Pe Yes Bank Ace Credit Card
- Annual Fee: Lifetime free
- Joining Fee: Nil
- UPI Activation: Via Kredit.Pe app for boosted UPI
Benefits:
- 2% unlimited cashback on UPI via Kredit.Pe app
- 3% milestone cashback on UPI >₹25,000/month
- 8 RP/₹200 online swipes (Yes Bank)
Note: This is a FD backed(Secured) credit card.
Bank of Baroda (BOB) Premier RuPay Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹1,000+ Taxes (waived on ₹1.5 Lakhs annual spend)
- Joining Fee: ₹1,000+ Taxes
- UPI Activation: Direct UPI link via BoB portal
Benefits:
- 10 (up to) Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, international, and online spends
- 2 points per ₹100 on all other spends, including UPI transactions
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year.
- The joining fee is easily waivable by spending ₹10,000 within the first 60 days
- 1 Reward point = ₹0.25
Note on Accessibility: Standard eligibility is higher (e.g., NAI > ₹7.2 Lakhs), making it less accessible than the Fintech cards above.
Also Read: Planning to Buy the iPhone 17? 5 Best Credit Cards Offering Easy EMI Options on the iPhone 17 Series
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these cards only for RuPay?
Yes, because UPI credit cards in India are exclusively RuPay variants. The RBI mandates this network for direct UPI linking thus Visa/Mastercard don’t support native UPI QR payments.
Can they be used on Google Pay and PhonePe?
All seven cards link quite smoothly to Google Pay, PhonePe, and BHIM for QR scans and merchant payments.
Are they invite-only?
No, all are publicly available via apps or bank sites with standard eligibility like CIBIL score.
What is the registration process?
You can either download the specified app or visit the bank site. By filling the online form, completing e-KYC with mobile OTP get instant virtual card approval while physical card arrives in 7 days.
What documents do applicants need?
PAN card, Aadhaar for e-KYC, salary slips or bank statements (for salaried, typically ₹25K+ income), and address proof if required.
Written by Kenbi Riba
