HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card Review
Updated 6 October 2026 · By Cardjaano Team
| Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Best Suited For | Reward Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹99 + GST | ₹99 + GST (waived on ₹25,000 retail spend in a year) | HDFC cardholders who want to pay through UPI on a credit line | CashPoints (1 CashPoint = ₹0.25) |
The HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card is a virtual-only card. There is no plastic. You link it to a UPI app such as PayZapp, GPay or PhonePe and pay at any QR code, with the bill landing on a credit statement instead of your bank account.
It earns CashPoints on groceries, dining, utilities and everything else, and the fee is just ₹99 a year.
The catch is in the maths: the headline “3%” is a points rate, and each points bucket stops at a low monthly cap. This review shows what that really works out to in rupees, who should hold it, and who is better off elsewhere.
Rewards & Benefits
Reward rate and earn structure
HDFC advertises 3%, 2% and 1% CashPoints. Its own terms document shows what that means: ₹9,000 of 3% spends earns 270 CashPoints, so the rate is 3 points per ₹100.
Since 1 CashPoint is worth ₹0.25, your real return is lower than the headline, and each bucket has its own monthly cap of 500 CashPoints.
| Spend type | CashPoints | Value in rupees | Monthly cap | Spend that hits the cap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries, supermarkets, dining and PayZapp | 3 per ₹100 | 0.75% | 500 (₹125) | About ₹16,667 |
| Utility bills | 2 per ₹100 | 0.50% | 500 (₹125) | ₹25,000 |
| Other spends | 1 per ₹100 | 0.25% | 500 (₹125) | ₹50,000 |
If you fill all three buckets, the most the card can pay is 1,500 CashPoints, or ₹375 a month. Points are counted on a calendar month, not your statement cycle, and posted in the first week of the next month. Only transactions of ₹100 and above earn.
The 3% bucket is tied to grocery (MCC 5411) and dining (MCC 5812 and 5814) codes, so a store that is coded differently will not qualify.
Fuel, rent, insurance, education, government payments, EMI spends, wallet loads, gift card loads and voucher purchases earn nothing. The same rates apply whether you pay by UPI or use the card details online.
Redemption and point value
Every redemption route values a CashPoint at ₹0.25: statement credit, SmartBuy flights and hotels, the rewards catalogue and airmiles. So 2,000 CashPoints become ₹500, which is also the minimum balance HDFC needs for a statement redemption.
Statement cashback carries no handling charge. A catalogue redemption costs ₹99 + taxes. Unused points lapse after 2 years. Flights and hotels can take only 50% of the booking value in points.
UPI, welcome and milestone benefits
The main draw is credit on UPI. You set the card PIN through HDFC’s IVR number 1860 266 0333, register the card in a UPI app with that PIN, and each scan-and-pay then runs on your credit limit.
The card also allows cash withdrawal at ATMs, though the fee makes that a poor idea. There is no welcome bonus and no lounge access. The only milestone is a fee waiver, covered below.
Fees & Charges
| Charge | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹99 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹99 + GST |
| Renewal waiver | ₹25,000 retail spend in the previous year |
| Interest on unpaid balance | 3.75% per month (45% a year) per HDFC’s terms |
| Late payment | Nil up to ₹100, then ₹100 to ₹1,300 by outstanding balance |
| Cash advance | 2.5% of the amount or ₹500, whichever is higher |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | Not available on this card |
| Reward redemption via catalogue | ₹99 + taxes |
With 18% GST the fee is about ₹117. Getting it waived needs ₹25,000 of retail spend in a year, which is roughly ₹2,100 a month. Cash advances, EMI conversions, bill payments to HDFC and card fees do not count towards that number.
Because this is a card you will use for daily UPI payments, you will hit it without effort.
Watch the interest rate. HDFC’s product page quotes 3.6% a month, while its Most Important Terms and Conditions list 3.75% a month for all variants other than a few premium ones.
The higher figure comes from the more recent document. Either way, this is a card to pay in full every month.
Eligibility & Documents Required
HDFC does not publish an income or age criterion for this card, because you cannot apply for it on its own. Existing HDFC credit cardholders can check their offer in MyCards or PayZapp and get the card issued instantly.
If you hold no HDFC card, you first apply for a Visa, Mastercard or Diners card from HDFC as your primary card, then ask for the UPI RuPay card as an additional one.
It arrives with the primary card. The documents needed are those of the primary card, normally identity, address and income proof, with a video KYC in some cases.
Pros & Cons
- Pro: credit line on UPI at a ₹99 fee, easy to waive
- Pro: three earn buckets with every cap stated in HDFC’s terms
- Pro: issued instantly to existing HDFC customers
- Con: the real return is 0.25% to 0.75%, not 1% to 3%
- Con: maximum earning is ₹375 a month
- Con: no fuel waiver, lounge access or welcome gift
HDFC UPI RuPay vs Competitors
Inside HDFC, the Millennia Credit Card pays 5% back at ten online brands and 1% elsewhere, each with a monthly cap, but costs ₹1,000 a year.
The PIXEL Go is the closer match: also digital-first, also built around UPI and PayZapp, with a ₹250 fee. If UPI-on-credit is the only reason you want a card, check whether another issuer’s RuPay card gives a flat rate without category buckets.
How to Apply
- Existing HDFC cardholder: open MyCards or PayZapp, check eligibility and tap Apply Now.
- New to HDFC: apply for a Visa, Mastercard or Diners card first as your primary card.
- Ask for the UPI RuPay card as an additional card with that application.
- Call 1860 266 0333 from your registered mobile to set the card PIN.
- Register the card in your UPI app using that PIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the annual fee of the HDFC UPI RuPay credit card?
It is ₹99 + GST, charged as both the joining and the annual fee. The renewal fee is waived if you make ₹25,000 of retail spends in the previous year.
Does the card give lounge access?
No. HDFC does not list any airport lounge benefit for this card, and there is no welcome gift or milestone voucher either.
How much is one CashPoint worth?
One CashPoint is ₹0.25 on every redemption route. A balance of 2,000 CashPoints gives you ₹500 of statement credit, the minimum redemption.
Can I use this card on any UPI app?
Yes. HDFC names PayZapp, GPay, PhonePe, Mobikwik, Paytm, BHIM and Slice. Set the card PIN first, then register the card in the app of your choice.
Is there a physical card?
No. The card is virtual only, and its details sit in the MyCards platform.
Do fuel and rent payments earn rewards?
No. Fuel, rent, insurance, education, government payments, EMIs and wallet loads earn no CashPoints, and the card has no fuel surcharge waiver.
Bottom Line
Get this card if you already bank with HDFC, want to run UPI payments on credit, and like a fee you can ignore. Treat it as a ₹99 convenience card that returns at most ₹375 a month, not as a rewards engine.
Skip it if you want a primary rewards card, lounge access, a fuel waiver or a welcome bonus, or if you do not hold an HDFC credit card and would rather not apply for two products. Fees and features are as of the update date, so check HDFC’s site before applying.
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