HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card Review: ₹99 Fee, Points Worth 25 Paise

The HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card is a virtual-only card for UPI and online payments that costs ₹99 plus GST, waived from the second year if you spend ₹25,000 a year. It gives 3% CashPoints on groceries, dining and PayZapp, 2% on utilities and 1% elsewhere, but a CashPoint is worth ₹0.25, so 3% in points is 0.75% in rupees.

By Rashmi Mandana · Content Writer Updated 5 November 2026 Reviewed by BankCreds Financial Experts

Key facts

Joining fee: ₹99 + GST
Annual fee: ₹99 + GST. Spend ₹25,000 or more annually before the renewal date and get a renewal fee waiver from the second year onwards.
Base reward: 1% CashPoints on other spends, up to 500 CashPoints a calendar month (about 1% value)
Best category: Groceries and supermarkets, dining and all PayZapp transactions: about 3% value
Lounge: Domestic: None International: None
Forex markup: 3.5% of the amount
Network: RuPay

Apply on HDFC Bank's site

Opens the bank's own page for this card. Approval and the credit limit are the bank's decision.

In short

A near-free way to pay on UPI with a credit line, but its rewards are small once each CashPoint is valued at 25 paise.

Best for

People who want a credit card on UPI for a ₹99 fee
Spenders who reach ₹25,000 a year and keep the fee waived
Grocery and dining spenders who already use PayZapp

Skip it if

You want meaningful cashback, as 3% CashPoints are worth 0.75% in rupees
You need a physical card for shops or travel
You want lounge access or a fuel surcharge waiver

Highlights

Joining and renewal fee ₹99 plus GST
Renewal waived from year two on ₹25,000 of yearly spends
3% CashPoints on groceries, dining and PayZapp, up to 500 a month
1 CashPoint = ₹0.25 against the statement
Virtual card only, linked to any UPI app

A ₹99 card made for UPI

HDFC Bank's UPI RuPay Credit Card has no plastic. It is issued as a virtual card, it appear in HDFC's MyCards, and you link it to the UPI app you already use, so scanning a shop's QR code draws on a credit line instead of your savings account. The benefits count the same whether you pay by UPI or use the card details online. The card is active and HDFC is accepting applications.

It is for someone who pays for most things by UPI and wants the interest-free days of a credit card without paying much money for the privilege of it. It isn't a rewards card in any serious sense, and the numbers show why.

What matters most

The CashPoint is a quarter rupee. 3% CashPoints means 3 points per ₹100, and at ₹0.25 each that's ₹0.75 back on ₹100 (3 times ₹0.25), or 0.75%.
Three small caps. Each of the 3%, 2% and 1% groups stops at 500 CashPoints a calendar month, ₹125 apiece (500 times ₹0.25).
The fee hardly matters. ₹99 plus GST, waived from the second year on ₹25,000 of yearly spend.

Changes and status

We found no change specific to this card between 2024 and 2026, but HDFC's bank-wide ones apply: the rent fee cap of ₹4,999 a transaction and the 1% on wallet loads and gaming above ₹10,000 a month from 1 July 2025, and the 1.75% markup on rupee payments abroad from 15 May 2026. Don't confuse it with the UPI RuPay Mega Saver, a different card who has a much lower interest rate.

Fees and charges on the HDFC UPI RuPay card

The joining and renewal fees are ₹99 each with GST on top, so ₹116.82 at 18% (₹99 plus ₹17.82, which is 18% of ₹99). From the second year the renewal is waived if your spends reach ₹25,000 in the year before the renewal date, about ₹2,083 a month (₹25,000 divided by 12). A few grocery runs and a couple of restaurant meal clears that, so treat the fee as a one-time cost. HDFC's MITC lists add-ons as free, but whether this virtual card has one are not confirmed.

Interest is the real cost

The MITC puts interest at 3.75% a month, 45% a year, plus GST. Leave ₹8,000 of UPI spends unpaid for 30 days and you owe about ₹296 (₹8,000 times 45% times 30, divided by 365), more than the light user below earns in CashPoints over half a year. Late fees follows HDFC's slab table, charged only once the minimum due is 3 days overdue: ₹100 for bills of ₹101 to ₹500, ₹500 for ₹501 to ₹1,000, ₹600 for ₹1,001 to ₹5,000, and nothing up to ₹100, with GST extra.

Cash advance: 2.5% or ₹500, whichever is higher, with interest from the day of withdrawal.
Forex: 3.5% plus GST on foreign currency spends online, and 1.75% on rupee payments to overseas-registered merchants since 15 May 2026.
Fuel: the product page talks of zero fuel surcharge, but the MITC says no waiver applies, and we go by the MITC. Fuel earns no CashPoints either.
Rent 1%, capped at ₹4,999 a payment; utilities 1% once a calendar month passes ₹50,000; wallet loads beyond PayZapp and online gaming 1% above ₹10,000 a month.
Education through apps such as CRED 1%; railway tickets 1% plus GST; payment return 2%, minimum ₹450.

UPI RuPay: fees and charges

Joining fee	₹99 + GST
Annual or renewal fee	₹99 + GST
Annual fee waiver	Spend ₹25,000 or more annually before the renewal date and get a renewal fee waiver from the second year onwards.
Add-on card fee	Not published by the bank
GST	Charged on top of the fees and charges listed
In the bank’s words	Joining/renewal membership fee: ₹99 + applicable taxes.
Interest on unpaid balances	Up to 3.75% a month (45% a year)
Late payment fee	Late payment charges (excl. GST), basis the bill amount, w.e.f. 1 Aug 2024: nil up to ₹100; ₹100 for ₹101 to ₹500; ₹500 for ₹501 to ₹1,000; ₹600 for ₹1,001 to ₹5,000; ₹750 for ₹5,001 to ₹10,000; ₹900 for ₹10,001 to ₹25,000; ₹1,100 for ₹25,001 to ₹50,000; ₹1,300 above ₹50,000. Charged when the Minimum Amount Due is not paid; account is reported past due and late fee levied only after 3 grace days from the due date.
Cash withdrawal	2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher, plus finance charges at the revolving rate from the date of withdrawal until full payment.
Over-limit fee	2.5% of the over-limit amount, minimum ₹550, only with the cardholder's explicit consent.
Forex markup	3.5% of the amount
Other fees	Rent payments: 1% of the transaction amount on any applicable merchant, capped at ₹4,999 per transaction (w.e.f. 1 Jul 2025). Fuel: 1% on the whole amount of a fuel transaction above ₹15,000 (consumer cards), capped at ₹4,999 per transaction. Utilities: 1% on total utility spends when they exceed ₹50,000 in a calendar month, capped at ₹4,999 per month (insurance is not treated as utility). Education: 1% on payments through third-party apps such as CRED, NoBroker, Cheq, capped at ₹4,999 per transaction; direct payments to the school or college website or POS and international education are not charged. Wallet loading (excluding PayZapp): 1% on total wallet loads when they exceed ₹10,000 in a calendar month, capped at ₹4,999 per month (w.e.f. 1 Jul 2025). Online skill-based gaming: 1% on total gaming spends when they exceed ₹10,000 in a calendar month, capped at ₹4,999 per month (w.e.f. 1 Jul 2025). Railway ticket purchases: 1% of the transaction amount + GST (all cards other than IRCTC). Dynamic currency conversion markup: 1.75% on transactions in Indian rupees at an international location or with merchants located in India but registered overseas (w.e.f. 15 May 2026). Card reissue (lost, stolen, damaged or network change): ₹199 for non-metal cards; ₹3,500 for metal cards (w.e.f. 15 May 2026). Payment return: 2% of the payment amount, minimum ₹450. Cash processing fee: ₹100 for card payments deposited in cash at HDFC Bank branches or ATMs. Balance transfer processing: 1% of the amount or ₹250, whichever is higher. EasyEMI processing fee at merchants: up to ₹299 (w.e.f. 1 Aug 2024).

CashPoints on the UPI RuPay card, worked out in rupees

There are three groups, each capped at 500 CashPoints a calendar month, and only transactions of ₹100 or more earn. Groceries and supermarkets (MCC 5411), dining (MCC 5812 and 5814) and every PayZapp transaction earn 3%. Utilities earn 2%, but only MCC 4900, so a phone or broadband bill under another code would land in the 1% group. Everything else earn 1%. Fuel, insurance, education, government, rent, wallet and gift card loads, cash and every kind of EMI earn nothing.

The caps fill at different spends: the 3% group at about ₹16,667 a month (500 divided by 3%), utilities at ₹25,000 (500 divided by 2%), the 1% group at ₹50,000 (500 divided by 1%).

What a CashPoint is worth

Against the statement or on SmartBuy for flights, hotels and the catalogue, 1 CashPoint is ₹0.25, and SmartBuy flights and hotels can be paid up to 50% with points. The MITC sets the minimum cashback redemption at ₹250, which is 1,000 CashPoints (₹250 divided by ₹0.25), and charges ₹50 plus ₹9 GST, ₹59 in all, every time. On a minimum redemption the fee eats 23.6% (₹59 divided by ₹250). Catalogue redemptions cost ₹99 plus taxes, and CashPoints lapse 2 years after they are earned. There is no welcome or milestone benefits.

One thing to ask HDFC. Its MITC says card purchases through UPI earn up to 500 points in a calendar month, across its cards. If that limit sits on top of this card's own caps, a UPI-only user would top out at 500 CashPoints, ₹125 a month or ₹1,500 a year (₹125 times 12). The product page don't settle the point.

Three spenders, worked out

Per month	Light	Typical	Heavy
Groceries, dining, PayZapp at 3%	₹4,000: 120	₹10,000: 300	₹20,000: 500 (capped)
Utilities at 2%	₹1,500: 30	₹3,000: 60	₹6,000: 120
Other spends at 1%	₹2,500: 25	₹7,000: 70	₹24,000: 240
CashPoints a year	2,100	5,160	10,320
Value at ₹0.25	₹525	₹1,290	₹2,580
Redemption fees	₹118	₹59	₹118
Net a year	₹407	₹1,231	₹2,462

Light, ₹8,000 a month. 120 plus 30 plus 25 is 175 CashPoints a month and 2,100 a year (175 times 12), or ₹525 (2,100 times ₹0.25). Two minimum redemptions cost ₹118 (2 times ₹59), leaving ₹407 (₹525 minus ₹118). ₹96,000 of yearly spend (₹8,000 times 12) keep the fee waived from year two.

Typical, ₹20,000 a month. 300 plus 60 plus 70 is 430 a month, 5,160 a year (430 times 12), worth ₹1,290 (5,160 times ₹0.25). One redemption a year leaves ₹1,231 (₹1,290 minus ₹59), about 0.51% of the ₹2,40,000 spent in the year (₹20,000 times 12).

Heavy, ₹50,000 a month. 3% of ₹20,000 would be 600, but the cap stops it at 500, so about ₹3,333 of that spend earns nothing (₹20,000 minus ₹16,667), since the terms don't say it falls back to 1%. 500 plus 120 plus 240 (1% of ₹24,000) makes 860 a month and 10,320 a year (860 times 12), or ₹2,580 (10,320 times ₹0.25), and ₹2,462 after two redemptions (₹2,580 minus ₹118): about 0.41% of ₹6,00,000, the year's spend (₹50,000 times 12).

UPI RuPay: higher-reward categories

Category	Rate	Cap
Groceries and supermarkets (MCC 5411), dining (MCC 5812, 5814) and all PayZapp transactions	3% CashPoints, about 3% value	up to 500 CashPoints under this feature in a calendar month, calendar month
Utility (MCC 4900 only)	2% CashPoints, about 2% value	500 points per Calendar Month, calendar month

UPI RuPay: how rewards work

Earned as	CashPoints
Base rate	1% CashPoints on other spends, up to 500 CashPoints a calendar month. About 1% value back
Minimum spend rules	Transactions of ₹100 or more earn CashPoints
No rewards on	Fuel Insurance Education and government related transactions Rent Wallet, gift or prepaid card loads and vouchers (MCC 6540) Cash advances Payment of outstanding balance Card fees and charges All EMI transactions (EasyEMI, SmartEMI, Dial-an-EMI)
Lower rewards on	None published
Value of a point	Cashback against statement balance: 1 CashPoint = ₹0.25; minimum cashback redemption ₹250 SmartBuy flights, hotels and rewards catalogue: 1 CashPoint = ₹0.25; flights and hotels up to 50% of the booking
Redemption fee	₹50 + GST per cashback redemption (MITC); ₹99 + taxes per catalogue redemption
Expiry	Unredeemed CashPoints lapse 2 years after accumulation
Welcome benefits	None published
Milestone benefits	Renewal fee waived on ₹25,000 annual spends from the second year
Lounge access	Domestic: None International: None
Fuel surcharge waiver	Fuel surcharge waiver not applicable (MITC); fuel earns no CashPoints
Insurance cover	Not published by the bank

Eligibility and applying for the UPI RuPay card

HDFC hasn't really published eligibility for this card. The eligibility section on its page carry the heading 'Millennia Credit Card' and the criteria look copied from that card, so we treat them as not published for UPI RuPay. Before applying, ask HDFC what age and income it actually wants for this card.

Its general document guidance is identity, address and income proof, and existing HDFC customers may not need to submit them again. Apply online from the card page or at a branch; the FAQ says a visit isn't mandatory. Once approved, the card show up in MyCards, you link it to a UPI app, and the PIN can be set on IVR at 1860 266 0333.

What the bank checks

RBI's 2025 Directions require HDFC to assess your own means and count the limits you already hold with other lenders before setting yours.
Scores run from 300 to 900. CRIF reads above 700 as generally good, Experian above 750, and with no history CRIF issues a 'NH' report instead of a score.
No RBI rule set a minimum age or income, the bank decides, and a rejection must come with reasons in writing.

Two UPI rules to know. Credit cards on UPI can pay merchants only, so no sending money to friends and no cash withdrawal. The usual limit is ₹1 lakh a day, ₹2 lakh in some merchant categories, within your credit limit, and NPCI says linking and using the card is free, though surcharges such as fuel can apply.

UPI RuPay: eligibility and documents

Age (salaried)	21 to 40 years
Age (self-employed)	21 to 40 years
Income (salaried)	Net Monthly Income: > ₹35,000
Income (self-employed)	Income Tax Return (ITR): > ₹6 lakh per annum
Other conditions	The eligibility text on this card's page is headed 'Millennia Credit Card' and may be copied from that card; treat as unconfirmed.
Documents	Identity proof, address proof and income proof (HDFC Bank general guidance; the card page's document list could not be read) Existing HDFC Bank customers may not need to submit them again
How to apply	Online at applyonline.hdfc.bank.in (Apply Now on each card page), or at an HDFC Bank branch; FD-backed Pixel cards can be applied for in the PayZapp app. HDFC's FAQ says a branch visit is not mandatory.
Card customer care	1800 1600 / 1800 2600 (toll-free in India); +91 22 6160 6161 from outside India

These are the bank's published conditions. Meeting them does not guarantee a card: approval and the credit limit are the bank's decision.

HDFC UPI RuPay against three other RuPay cards

All three link to UPI. They differ on fee, on what a point is really worth, and on who may apply.

Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card

The Kotak UPI RuPay card is lifetime free and virtual too, but only existing Kotak credit card holders can get it. It earns 3 Reward Points per ₹100, and since 1 June 2025 a point is worth ₹0.07 as cash value (2,000 points minimum) or ₹0.10 on Kotak's catalogue. That's ₹0.21 per ₹100 in cash (3 times ₹0.07), below HDFC's ₹0.75 in its 3% group and even its ₹0.25 in the 1% group.

HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card

The HSBC RuPay Cashback card costs ₹499 plus GST, reversed above ₹2 lakh of yearly spend, and pays real cashback: 10% on dining, food delivery and grocery and 1% elsewhere, with total cashback capped at ₹400 a month, which 10% spend fills at ₹4,000 (₹400 divided by 10%). Its card page lists 10 lounge visits a year and its service guide 4, one a quarter. The markup is 3.5% under the terms, with a 0% offer that runs until 31 December 2026 by the card page or 31 January 2027 by the offer terms. It need ₹6 lakh a year of salary and a home in one of 21 HSBC cities.

AU SPONT Credit Card

The AU SPONT card charges ₹299 plus GST with no published waiver and pays a flat 1% cashback on everything, UPI included, up to ₹500 a statement cycle. That's 1% in rupees, more than HDFC's 0.75% even in HDFC's best group. It add 2 domestic airport lounge visits a quarter after ₹50,000 of spend in the previous quarter.

Who should pick which

HDFC UPI RuPay for the smallest paid fee, rewards aside.
Kotak UPI RuPay if you already hold a Kotak credit card and want a free UPI card alongside it.
HSBC RuPay Cashback if you live in an HSBC city, earn ₹6 lakh a year and spend on food and groceries.
AU SPONT for flat 1% cashback on every UPI payment.

Our best credit cards for UPI page has more RuPay options. You can also browse all HDFC Bank credit cards, contact HDFC Bank customer care or go to the credit cards section.

UPI RuPay against similar cards

Term	HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card This card	Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card	HSBC RuPay Cashback Credit Card	AU SPONT Credit Card
Bank	HDFC Bank	Kotak Mahindra Bank (Kotak)	HSBC India	AU Small Finance Bank (AU Bank)
Joining fee	₹99 + GST	Nil	₹499 + GST	₹299 + GST
Annual fee and waiver	₹99 + GST. Spend ₹25,000 or more annually before the renewal date and get a renewal fee waiver from the second year onwards.	Nil	₹499 + GST. Annual fee, including GST, fully reversed if total eligible spend in the anniversary year exceeds Rs 2,00,000	₹299 + GST
Base reward	1% CashPoints on other spends, up to 500 CashPoints a calendar month (about 1% value)	3 Reward Points per ₹100 spent, on UPI and regular...	1% cashback on all other eligible spends (about 1% value)	1% cashback on all transactions... (about 1% value)
Best category	Groceries and supermarkets, dining and all PayZapp transactions: about 3% value	No higher-reward category published	Dining, food delivery and grocery: about 10% value	No higher-reward category published
Lounges	Domestic: None International: None	Not published by the bank	Domestic: Up to 2 complimentary domestic visits per quarter (card page) International: 2 international visits per year (card page)	Domestic: 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter International: None published
Forex markup	3.5% of the amount	3.5% of the amount	3.5% of the amount	3.49% of the amount
Network	RuPay	RuPay	RuPay	RuPay
Published minimum income	₹35,000 a month	Not published by the bank	₹50,000 a month	Minimum monthly income as specified by the bank (no figure published)
Status	Taking applications	Taking applications	Taking applications	Taking applications

Frequently asked questions

What is the HDFC UPI RuPay card fee, and is it waived?

The joining and renewal fee is ₹99 plus GST, which is ₹116.82 at 18%. From the second year, HDFC waives the renewal fee if you spend ₹25,000 or more in the year before the renewal date. That is about ₹2,083 a month, so most people who use the card for daily UPI payments will clear it.

How much is a CashPoint worth on the HDFC UPI RuPay card?

One CashPoint is worth ₹0.25, whether you redeem it against your statement or on SmartBuy flights, hotels and the rewards catalogue. Statement redemptions need at least ₹250, which is 1,000 CashPoints, and each one costs ₹50 plus GST. Unredeemed CashPoints lapse 2 years after they are earned.

What is the eligibility for the HDFC Bank UPI RuPay credit card?

HDFC has not published separate eligibility for this card. The eligibility text on its page is headed for the Millennia card and appears to be copied from it, so ask HDFC for the current criteria before applying. Expect to show identity, address and income proof unless you already bank with HDFC, and the decision rests with the bank.

Can I use the HDFC UPI RuPay card abroad or in lounges?

There is no airport lounge benefit. It is a virtual card, so there is no plastic to swipe abroad, but online foreign currency spends carry a 3.5% markup plus GST, and rupee payments to merchants registered overseas attract a 1.75% conversion markup from 15 May 2026. On UPI in India it pays merchants only.

Has HDFC changed the UPI RuPay card recently?

We found no change specific to this card between 2024 and 2026. Bank-wide HDFC changes still apply to it: from 1 July 2025 the rent fee cap rose to ₹4,999 and wallet loads or online gaming above ₹10,000 a month began attracting 1%, and from 15 May 2026 came a 1.75% conversion markup and a ₹199 reissue fee.

Is the HDFC UPI RuPay card the same as the UPI RuPay Mega Saver card?

No. They share the ₹99 fee and the ₹25,000 waiver line in HDFC's MITC, but the Mega Saver is a separate card with interest at 1.99% a month. The UPI RuPay card reviewed here charges 3.75% a month, which is 45% a year, plus GST, so it is not a card to carry a balance on.

Sources

HDFC Bank: Part I Key Fact Statement cum Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC), English, Version 4.18; Terms & Conditions – HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card; HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card Fees & Charges; HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card (product page); HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card Eligibility; How to Get a Credit Card in 3 Easy Steps (HDFC Bank blog); Credit Card Customer Care Number & Support

Last verified: 5 November 2026

Written by Rashmi Mandana, reviewed by BankCreds Financial Experts

BankCreds does not sell cards or take applications. Fees and rewards change; the bank's own terms on the day you apply are what count, and approval is the bank's decision.