Introduction
Most people still use their debit card for UPI because they don’t realize how much value they are leaving
Remember the days when you had to keep money in your savings account just to scan a QR code at a tea stall? Those days are over.
For the last decade, Visa and Mastercard ruled our wallets. But they had one major flaw: They didn’t work on UPI. You couldn’t just scan a Paytm or Google Pay QR code with your HDFC Regalia or Amex Platinum. You had to swipe the physical card.
Then came the RuPay Revolution.
In 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) allowed RuPay Credit Cards to link directly with UPI apps.This made RuPay credit cards actually useful for everyday UPI payments. Now you can keep your money earning interest in your bank account for 45 days, while you pay for milk, vegetables, and even roadside snacks using your credit card’s interest-free period.
But here is the real truth: Not all RuPay cards are created equal.
Banks rushed to launch RuPay cards. Today, there are over 50 options in the market. Most of them are useless junk that offer 0.1% or 0.2% rewards. If you pick the wrong one, you are just wasting your credit limit.
I tested them across three types of merchants — local kirana stores, fuel stations, and online QR payments over the last year.
In this detailed guide, I will break down the Top 5 RuPay Credit Cards for UPI in 2026 that actually offer value. We will look at real math, hidden fees, and the “MDR Trap” that no agent tells you about.
Table of Contents
Final Verdict: Which One Should You Pick?
How RuPay Credit Card on UPI Actually Works
The “MDR” Reality: Why Your Payment Might Fail
Review: #1 Tata Neu Infinity (The King)
Review: #2 Axis Kiwi (Unlimited Cashback )
Review: #3 HDFC Regalia Gold RuPay (The Premium Choice)
Review: #4 IndusInd Platinum (Best for Beginners)
Review: #5 ICICI Coral RuPay (The Sale Warrior)
Comparison Table: At a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How RuPay Credit Card on UPI Actually Works
Before we jump into the list, you need to understand the mechanism. It is different from your normal bank UPI.
- Step 1: You apply for a RuPay Credit Card (Digital or Physical).
- Step 2: Open any UPI App (Bhim, PhonePe, GPay, Paytm, Cred).
- Step 3: Go to “Link RuPay Credit Card” in settings.
- Step 4: Select your bank. The app will fetch your card details automatically via your mobile number.
- Step 5: Set a UPI PIN (just like you do for your bank account).
The Golden Rule: You can ONLY scan “Merchant QR Codes” (Shops). You cannot send money to your friend’s personal UPI ID or mobile number using a credit card.
2. The “MDR” Reality: Why Your Payment Might Fail
Have you ever tried to scan a QR code at a small shop with your credit card, and the app said “Payment Failed” or “The merchant does not accept credit cards”?
This is because of MDR (Merchant Discount Rate).
- Small Merchants (QR Code < ₹20 Lakh turnover): No MDR. Payments are free for them. Your card will work smoothly.
- Medium Merchants: When you pay via Credit Card UPI, the shopkeeper has to pay a small fee (around 1% to 2%) to the bank.
- The Problem: Many small shopkeepers turn OFF “Credit Card Acceptance” on their QR codes to save this fee.
The Solution: Always ask before scanning big amounts. For small amounts (under ₹2,000), it usually works 95% of the time
The Top 5 RuPay Credit Cards for UPI (2026 Rankings)
Here’s what actually matters when choosing a RuPay credit card. I have ranked these cards based on Reward Rate, Acceptance, and Annual Fees.
| Feature | Tata Neu Infinity | Axis Kiwi | HDFC Regalia RuPay | IndusInd Platinum |
| Joining Fee | ₹1,499 (Free waiver possible) | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) | ₹2,500 | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) |
| Reward on UPI | 1.5% | ~1.0% | ~1.3% | 0.7% |
| Reward Type | NeuCoins (Tata App) | Cashback | Reward Points | Cash Credit |
| Best For | Daily Spends (Groceries) | Cashback Lovers | Milestone Chasers | Beginners |
| Lounge Access | Yes (Domestic + Int) | No | Yes | No |
#1. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card 👑
(The King of UPI Rewards)
In my case, UPI payments at BigBasket and local grocery stores consistently credited NeuCoins within 24–48 hours.
The Core Benefits:
- 1.5% Returns on UPI: Yes, you read that right. While other cards struggle to give 0.5%, this card gives a flat 1.5% back as “NeuCoins” on UPI spends via the Tata Neu App.
- 5% to 10% on Tata Brands: Shopping on BigBasket, Croma, or booking flights on AirAsia? You get a massive 5% minimum return.
- Lounge Access: It offers 8 Domestic and 4 International lounge visits per year (shared with Visa/Mastercard variants).
The Real Math : Let’s say you spend ₹20,000 a month on UPI (Groceries, Milk, Local Bills).
- Tata Neu Infinity Reward: 1.5% of ₹20,000 = 300 NeuCoins.
- Value in ₹: ₹300 per month = ₹3,600 per year.
- Net Cost: If you pay the joining fee of ₹1,499, you get 1,499 points back. So, effective cost is Zero.
The Catch: The rewards come as “NeuCoins”. You can only burn them on the Tata Neu App (BigBasket, 1mg, etc.). You cannot convert them to cash in your bank account. But honestly, who doesn’t buy groceries?
Who Should Get It? Anyone who uses BigBasket or 1mg even once a month. This is a No-Brainer.
Axis Kiwi / Axis Neo Credit Card
(The Cashback Challenger)
Yes Bank disrupted the market by partnering with the Kiwi App. This was the first “Virtual First” credit card dedicated to UPI.
The Core Benefits:
- Direct Cashback: No points. No coins. You often get “Kiwis” which are directly cash.
- 1% Flat Value: Typically, the card offers around 1% value on Scan & Pay transactions (Terms change frequently, so always check the app).
- Lifetime Free (Usually): Yes often issues this card as Lifetime Free (LTF) to attract new users.
The “Approved” Hack:. Download the Kiwi App from the Play Store/App Store. Apply through the app. The approval chances are significantly higher because Kiwi wants to acquire users aggressively.
The Catch: The reward structure is slightly complicated. You have to use the Kiwi App for payments to get the maximum benefit. If you use the card on PhonePe/GPay, the rewards might drop.
Who Should Get It? Students, Beginners, and people who want a “Free” card.
HDFC Regalia Gold (RuPay Variant)
(The Premium All-Rounder)
This is not a new card. It is the legendary Regalia Gold, but on the RuPay platform.
Why is it on this list? Many premium users (Salaried ₹1 Lakh+) already hold the Visa/Mastercard version of Regalia Gold. They don’t want a new “Tata” or “Axis” card. They want to stick to one premium card.
The Strategy: You don’t need to apply for a new card. Just call HDFC Customer Care or check your NetBanking. Ask for a “Unified RuPay Card” or a “Floater Card.”
- HDFC will issue a digital RuPay card linked to your existing Regalia limit.
- It shares the same statement.
The Benefits:
- Milestone Benefits: The biggest advantage is that your UPI spends count towards the ₹4 Lakhs annual milestone.
- Club Vistara / Flight Vouchers: By routing your UPI spends through this card, you can hit the milestone faster and earn free flight tickets.
- Reward Rate: Approx 1.3% (if redeemed for flights/hotels via SmartBuy).
Who Should Get It? Existing HDFC customers who want to complete their annual milestones quickly.
IndusInd Platinum RuPay Credit Card
(The Best “First” UPI Card)
IndusInd Bank is famous for one thing: Lifetime Free Cards. The Platinum RuPay is their entry-level offering, and it is almost always free.
The Core Benefits:
- Zero Fees: No joining fee, no annual fee. No headache.
- 0.7% Reward Rate: You earn 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on UPI.
- Cash Value: 1 Reward Point = ₹0.35 cash credit. So effective return is roughly 0.7%.
Why Beginners Love It: It is very easy to get approved. Even if you have a low CIBIL score (700-750), IndusInd is generous with approvals. It serves as a great “Backup Card” in case your primary card fails.
The Catch: Don’t expect luxury features like Airport Lounge access or Golf lessons. This is a basic utility tool.
ICICI Coral RuPay Credit Card
Honestly, if we look only at rewards, the ICICI Coral is a weak card (0.5% return). But it makes the Top 5 list for a very specific reason: Amazon & Flipkart Sales.
On pure rewards, this card is weak. I would not use it for daily UPI payments.
- During the “Great Indian Festival” or “Big Billion Days,” having an ICICI card gives you a flat 10% Discount.
- Most other RuPay cards (like Tata Neu or Kiwi) might not work for these specific “ICICI Bank Offers.”
The “Pre-Approved” Trick: If you already have an ICICI Credit Card (like Amazon Pay ICICI or Platinum Chip), go to your iMobile Pay App. Check the “Offers” section. You will likely see a banner: “Get Coral RuPay Card – Pre-Approved – Lifetime Free.” Click it. It generates instantly. No documentation needed.
Who Should Get It? Everyone. Keep it in your drawer. Use it only during sales or for UPI backup.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is it safe to use a Credit Card on UPI? Ans: Yes, it is 100% safe. It uses the same NPCI security infrastructure as your bank UPI. You still need to enter a PIN for every transaction.
Q2: Will I be charged extra for paying via Credit Card? Ans: No. As a customer, you never pay extra. The merchant pays the fee (MDR). If a shopkeeper asks for “2% extra,” simply refuse and pay via cash or normal UPI.
Q3: Can I transfer money to my friend using this card? Ans: No. RuPay Credit Cards only work for P2M (Person-to-Merchant) transactions. You cannot send money to personal QR codes or mobile numbers.
Q4: Which is the easiest card to get approved? Ans: The IndusInd Platinum RuPay and ICICI Coral RuPay are the easiest to get approvals for, often without income proof if you have a relationship with the bank.
Final Verdict: The Winner of 2026
If I had to pick just one card to keep in my pocket for the next 5 years, it would be the Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Card.
- The Math is simple: Spending ₹1 Lakh on UPI gives you ₹1,500 back. No other card matches this consistency.
- It covers your grocery bills via BigBasket.
- It gives you premium lounge access.
However, if you are strictly against paying annual fees, then go for the Axis Kiwi or the IndusInd Platinum.
My Advice: Reward rates and eligibility were last verified in February 2026. Always confirm with the bank before applying.
(Disclaimer: I am not a SEBI registered financial advisor. Credit Card approvals are at the sole discretion of the bank. Please read the Key Fact Statement (KFS) carefully before applying.)