Best UPI credit card 2025.HDFC UPI RuPay credit card benefits.
Learn more about the HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card here
HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card — Reinventing Credit + UPI in India
Looking for a card that blends the instant convenience of UPI with the spending power of a credit card? The HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card is one of the first virtual credit cards in India that lets you transact via UPI and earn rewards as you spend.
Below, we break down everything you need to know — benefits, drawbacks, terms, how to apply, and whether it’s a fit for you in 2025.
What Is the HDFC UPI RuPay Credit Card?
- It’s a virtual (digital only) credit card tied to your existing HDFC Bank credit card; it works in parallel with your physical card — same credit limit, shared with your main card.
- Once linked in a UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM, PayZapp, etc.), you can choose the card as the payment source for UPI transactions (QR, merchant UPI, intent flows).
- You earn reward points (“CashPoints”) on UPI payments just like a regular credit card.
- Since it’s virtual, there is no physical card (and hence no cost for producing a card).
- You cannot withdraw cash using this virtual card.
- It’s issued only to existing HDFC credit card customers (as an additional “floater” card).
What this means: you don't get a new standalone credit limit, you’re simply getting a UPI-linked channel to use your existing HDFC credit limit via UPI.
Key Benefits & Rewards
Here’s what you get (and where limits or exclusions apply):
| Benefit / Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 3% CashPoints | On spends in select categories: groceries, supermarkets, dining & all PayZapp transactions |
| 2% CashPoints | On utility bill payments (electricity, mobile, water, etc.) |
| 1% CashPoints | On all other eligible spends (subject to exclusions) |
| Monthly Earning Caps | A limit of 500 CashPoints per category in a calendar month (for each of the above categories) |
| Interest-free period | Up to 50 days of interest-free credit from purchase date (if you clear your dues on time) |
| Fee waiver | Annual/renewal fee is ₹99 + GST, waived if you spend ₹25,000 or more in a year before the renewal date |
| Welcome incentive | A ₹250 gift voucher if you make your first transaction within 37 days of activation. Voucher credited within 90 days of that month. |
| Flexible redemption | CashPoints can be redeemed as statement credit, via the HDFC reward catalogue, SmartBuy, travel, etc. |
| Use for most UPI merchant payments | You can pay via UPI QR or merchant UPI intent/collect, using this card. |
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Important Exclusions & Conditions
- Rewards are not earned on fuel, rent payments, wallet/prepaid card loads, EMI spends, government & education transactions, insurance payments, voucher purchases, and certain merchant categories.
- Only transactions ≥ ₹100 qualify for CashPoints.
- The 3% benefit applies only to merchant categories with specific MCC codes (grocery, supermarket, dining) as defined in the terms & conditions.
- If your HDFC credit card is renewed (new card number, expiry, CVV), you must re-link the RuPay card to UPI again.
- For new card registrations, UPI transactions may have a limit of ₹5,000 for first 24 hours. After that, standard UPI limits may apply (up to ₹1 lakh per day or per NPCI guidelines)
- Only person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions are allowed via this UPI credit card. P2P, lending, ATM cashouts, IPO/investments, etc., are disallowed.
Fees, Charges & Interest (2025)
Here’s what you should know about cost structure and penalties:
| Fee / Charge Type | Amount / Notes |
|---|---|
| Joining / Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹99 + GST |
| Waiver Condition | ₹25,000 (annual spending threshold) |
| Finance / Interest Rate | As per HDFC’s standard credit card interest terms (when revolving balances) |
| Late Payment / Overdue Fees | Subject to HDFC’s prevailing schedule of charges (refer official T&C) |
| Renewal / Reissue / Replacement | Standard reissue / replacement charges as per the credit card’s SCHEDULE OF CHARGES. |
Note: Always cross-check the most recent “Fees & Charges” section on HDFC’s official site before publishing, because banks can tweak the schedule.
Who Can Apply & Eligibility
Unlike many credit cards open to new customers, this one has stricter rules:
- Must be an existing HDFC credit card holder. This is a virtual add-on/floater card.
- Age: 21–60 years (for salaried); 21–65 years (self-employed) — standard norms.
- Nationality: Indian citizen / resident.
- Income & credit history: Your existing credit card limits and eligibility already imply you meet HDFC’s income & credit criteria.
Because the card is tied to your existing HDFC credit card, there’s no separate income verification or new underwriting just for the UPI RuPay card.
How to Apply / Activate / Link to UPI
Here’s the step-by-step user flow:
- Ensure you’re an existing HDFC credit card holder.
- Login to HDFC’s credit card portal / MyCards / net banking / mobile app and locate the option for “Digital UPI RuPay Credit Card” or “Add RuPay Credit Card to UPI.”
- Activate the UPI RuPay card, which will generate a virtual card with number, expiry, etc. You may also need to set a UPI PIN for this card.
- Open your UPI app, select “Add RuPay Credit Card,” choose HDFC as issuer, select your eligible card, enter last 6 digits + expiry + OTP.
- Start using it: When paying via UPI in apps or scanning QR, choose this RuPay credit card as payment mode.
- Re-link post renewal: Whenever your physical HDFC credit card is renewed/changed, you’ll need to add the RuPay card again to UPI.
Things to Watch Out & Real User Feedback
- Acceptance variation: Just because it’s linked to UPI doesn’t guarantee it will be accepted at all merchants. Some shopkeepers or QR systems may not yet support UPI credit cards via RuPay. A Reddit user commented:
- RuPay Card can be linked to UPI but that doesn’t mean it will be accepted by default… merchant needs to enable it.”
- Reward redemption hurdles: Some users find the redemption minimums or point caps restrictive. (E.g. needing 2,000 points for a usable redemption at timnew
- Changes in HDFC policy (2025): From July 1, 2025, HDFC introduced new restrictions and reduced or zero rewards for transactions in categories like rent, online gaming, wallet loading. So, reward yields on some expenses may drop.
- Linking vs relinking after renewal: Many users forget to re-link when card details change after renewal, which breaks UPI capabilities.
- Monthly caps: The 500-point caps per category can limit actual benefit, especially for high spenders.
Is It One of the Best Credit Cards (for UPI users) in 2025?
Where It Shines
- For heavy UPI users, this card converts many everyday payments (groceries, utility bills) into reward-earning ones.
- The low joining/renewal fee (₹99) is among the most competitive for credit cards with active rewards.
- The 50-day interest-free window gives breathing room.
- As UPI adoption deepens, more merchant QR systems will support credit card mode, increasing usability.
Where It Lags / Risks
- The 500 CashPoint cap per category per month dilutes value for bigger spenders.
- Many excluded categories (fuel, rent, EMI, government) limit reward growth.
- Merchant acceptance may still lag, especially in smaller shops.
- HDFC’s reward policy changes (July 2025) risk reducing benefits in certain spend categories.
- Since it's a floater card (not standalone), if your main HDFC credit card gets blocked or revoked, this UPI card is impacted too.
Best For Whom
- Someone who already holds an HDFC credit card.
- You do frequent UPI payments (grocery, utility, dining).
- You’re okay with moderate rewards (i.e. not chasing premium travel perks).
- You want a low-friction card (digital only, low annual fee).
If you compare against top “best UPI credit cards” in 2025, this card will often lead on cost efficiency and ubiquity (for HDFC cardholders), though it may lose vs premium cards in perks like lounge access or travel benefits.
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