Kiwi RuPay Credit Card: Get 5% Cashback on UPI Payments | Best UPI Credit Card in India 2025
Date: 5 May, 2025
Introduction: Revolutionizing UPI Payments with Cashback Rewards
In today's digital payment landscape, UPI transactions have become the backbone of India's payment ecosystem. While most credit cards focus on traditional spending categories, the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card stands out by specifically targeting frequent UPI users. Issued in partnership with Yes Bank, this innovative card transforms everyday UPI payments into rewarding experiences with potential cashback rates of up to 5%.
This comprehensive review explores why the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card deserves a spot in your digital wallet, especially if UPI transactions constitute a significant portion of your monthly spending.
Kiwi RuPay Credit Card: Key Highlights
- Zero Annual Fee: Lifetime free card with no joining or annual fees
- Base Cashback Rate: 1% cashback on eligible UPI transactions
- Enhanced Rewards: Up to 5% cashback with Neon membership
- Airport Lounge Access: Earn complimentary lounge visits based on spending milestones
- Digital-First Experience: Virtual card managed entirely through the Kiwi app
- Flexible Redemption: Convert Kiwi points to statement credit
Eligibility Requirements: Who Can Apply?
Before diving into the card's benefits, let's check if you qualify for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card:
- CIBIL Score: Minimum 720+ required
- Age Requirement: 21-60 years
- Income Criteria: Annual income of at least ₹3 lakhs
- Exclusion: Not available to existing Kiwi Axis credit cardholders or Yes Bank credit card customers
This card maintains relatively accessible eligibility criteria compared to other premium reward cards in the market, making it attainable for professionals with good credit history.
Apply For LifeTime Free Kiwi RuPay Credit Card->
Card Issuance and Management: A Digital-First Approach
The Kiwi RuPay Credit Card embraces the digital-first philosophy:
- Virtual Card: No physical card is issued; everything is managed through the Kiwi app
- Seamless Integration: Direct integration with UPI payment ecosystem
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy monitoring of rewards, spending, and benefits through the dedicated app
Fee Structure:
One of the most appealing aspects of the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card is its fee structure:
- Joining Fee: NIL (Lifetime free card)
- Annual Fee: NIL (Lifetime free card)
- Welcome Benefits: None offered at this time
The absence of fees enhances the overall value proposition, ensuring that your rewards aren't offset by maintenance costs.
Standard Rewards Program: Baseline Benefits
Without the Neon membership, cardholders still enjoy competitive rewards:
- Earning Structure: 2 Kiwis for every ₹50 spent on eligible UPI transactions
- Reward Value: Each Kiwi point is worth 25 paise (0.25 rupees)
- Effective Rate: This translates to a 1% cashback on qualifying UPI payments
- Maximum Reward Cap: Cashback is limited to 1% of your total credit limit
- Redemption Threshold: Minimum 500 Kiwis required for redemption (equivalent to ₹125)
- Redemption Process: Points can be converted to statement credit in multiples of 500 Kiwis
Spending Exclusions: Transactions That Don't Earn Rewards
It's important to note that certain transaction categories are excluded from earning rewards: Telecom bill payments,Utility services,Jewelry purchases,Fuel transactions,Rent payments,Insurance premiums,Education fees,Government services,Advertisement services
Kiwi Neon Membership: Elevating Your Rewards Experience
The game-changer for this card is the optional Neon membership program, which substantially increases the earning potential:
Neon Membership Details:
- Annual Fee: ₹999 (exclusive of taxes)
- Validity: One year from enrollment date
- Special Offer: Fee waived for customers who applied for the Yes Bank Klick credit card before January 31, 2025, and enrolled in Neon by April 15, 2025
- Exclusion: Offer not applicable for card re-applicants after January 31, 2025
Enhanced Reward Structure with Neon:
Base Earn Rate: 2% cashback on eligible UPI transactions
Milestone Rewards:
- First Milestone: Spend ₹50,000 to unlock 3% cashback + 1 airport lounge access
- Second Milestone: Spend ₹1,00,000 to unlock 4% cashback + 1 additional airport lounge access
- Third Milestone: Spend ₹1,50,000 to unlock 5% cashback + 1 additional airport lounge access
The most impressive aspect is that once you reach the highest tier, the enhanced 5% cashback rate applies retroactively to all previous transactions since enrollment and continues for future spends.
Understanding Kiwi Points Calculation
To maximize your rewards, it's essential to understand how Kiwi points are calculated:
- Point Value: 1 Kiwi = ₹0.25 (or 4 Kiwis = ₹1)
- Earning Pattern: Points are awarded in multiples of ₹50 spent
Reward Potential: Breaking Down the Numbers
Let's analyze the potential rewards for someone spending ₹1,50,000 annually on eligible UPI transactions with the Neon membership:
- Total Annual Spend: ₹1,50,000
- Cashback Rate: 5% (after reaching the highest milestone)
- Potential Annual Cashback: ₹7,500
- Neon Membership Cost: ₹999
- Net Benefit: ₹6,501
- Additional Benefits: 3 airport lounge access vouchers
This represents a 4.3% effective return on spending, even after accounting for the membership fee.
Who Should Apply for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
This card is particularly well-suited for:
- Frequent UPI Users: Those who regularly make payments through UPI platforms
- Digital-First Consumers: People comfortable with managing their finances through apps
- Value Optimizers: Individuals looking to maximize returns on everyday spending
- Moderate to High Spenders: Those who can comfortably spend ₹12,500+ monthly via UPI
Application Process and Card Activation
The application process for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card is streamlined:
- Follow The Applcation Link Apply For LifeTime Free Kiwi RuPay Credit Card->
- Complete the registration process
- Submit required documentation for verification
- Receive approval and activate your virtual card
- Optionally enroll in the Neon membership program
Final Verdict: Is the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card Worth It?
For individuals who frequently use UPI for daily transactions, the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card presents exceptional value. The potential 5% cashback rate with the Neon membership significantly outperforms most reward cards in the Indian market, especially considering the zero annual fee on the card itself.
The ₹999 investment in the Neon membership pays for itself quickly if you can reach the ₹1,50,000 annual spending threshold. With an effective net return of over 4% after accounting for the membership fee, plus airport lounge access benefits, this card delivers substantial value for regular UPI users.
The digital-first approach, seamless integration with the UPI ecosystem, and user-friendly app experience further enhance the overall proposition, making the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card a standout choice in today's evolving payment landscape.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
The Kiwi RuPay Credit Card is a digital-first credit card issued in partnership with Yes Bank and Axis Bank, specifically designed to reward UPI transactions with cashback benefits of up to 5% through its premium Neon membership program.
How much cashback can I earn with the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
Without the Neon membership, you earn 1% cashback on eligible UPI transactions. With the Neon membership, you can earn up to 5% cashback based on achieving spending milestones (2% base rate, increasing to 3%, 4%, and finally 5% at ₹1,50,000 annual spend).
What is the annual fee for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
The Kiwi RuPay Credit Card has no annual fee—it's a lifetime free card. However, the optional Neon membership program costs ₹999 annually.
What is the minimum CIBIL score required for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
You need a minimum CIBIL score of 720 to be eligible for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card.
How are Kiwi reward points calculated?
Kiwi points are calculated on multiples of ₹50 spent on eligible UPI transactions. Each Kiwi point is worth 25 paise (₹0.25), meaning 4 Kiwis equal ₹1.
What types of transactions don't earn rewards with the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
Transactions that don't earn rewards include telecom bills, utilities, jewelry purchases, fuel, rent payments, insurance premiums, education fees, government services, and advertisement services.
How do I redeem Kiwi reward points?
You can redeem Kiwi points for statement credit once you accumulate at least 500 points (worth ₹125). Redemptions must be in multiples of 500 points.
What are the spending milestones for the Neon membership program?
The Neon membership program has three spending milestones: ₹50,000 (unlocks 3% cashback), ₹1,00,000 (unlocks 4% cashback), and ₹1,50,000 (unlocks 5% cashback). Each milestone also provides one airport lounge access.
Is the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card a physical or virtual card?
The Kiwi RuPay Credit Card is a virtual card that is managed entirely through the Kiwi app, with no physical card issued.
How do I apply for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
You can apply for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card through the Kiwi app. The application process is digital and requires you to download the app, register, apply for the card, and submit necessary documentation for verification.
What is the minimum income requirement for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
You need a minimum annual income of ₹3 lakhs to be eligible for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card.
Does the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
Yes, but only through the Neon membership program. You can earn up to 3 airport lounge access vouchers by reaching spending milestones (one each at ₹50,000, ₹1,00,000, and ₹1,50,000).
Can existing Yes Bank credit cardholders apply for the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card?
No, the Kiwi RuPay Credit Card is not available to existing Yes Bank credit cardholders or those who already have a Kiwi Axis credit card.
When are milestone rewards credited to my account?
Milestone rewards through the Neon membership program are credited 30 days after the end of the month in which you reach the milestone. However, the base 2% Kiwi rewards are earned immediately after transaction.
Is the 5% cashback applicable to previous transactions?
Yes, once you reach the highest spending milestone of ₹1,50,000 with the Neon membership, the 5% cashback rate applies retroactively to all your previous eligible UPI transactions since enrollment, as well as to future spends.
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