UPI has transformed how India pays—and now credit cards have joined the UPI revolution. With RuPay credit cards going live on UPI, users can finally scan ANY QR code and pay using credit, earning cashback and rewards on everyday transactions like groceries, cafés, cabs, and even your neighbourhood kirana store.

In 2025, a new wave of digital-first, UPI-enabled credit cards is making credit more accessible, rewards more frequent, and usage easier than ever.

This guide breaks down the best UPI-based credit cards in India, including fintech-powered options like Kiwi and Rio, plus RuPay options directly from banks like from HDFC, ICICI, Axis, AU Bank, and more.

This is your complete comparison to help you pick the card that fits YOUR spending style.

Why UPI Credit Cards Are the Future of Payments in India

UPI credit cards remove the old barriers of POS machines, card swipes, and minimum transaction limits. Instead, they offer:

  1. Pay ANY merchant using Scan & Pay via UPI
  2. Earn rewards on small daily spends (chai, rickshaw, groceries)
  3. No need to carry a physical card
  4. Works perfectly for Tier 2/3 markets
  5. Great for students, gig workers, freelancers
  6. Perfect for building or improving your credit score
  7. Often lifetime free

Put simply:

UPI credit cards = fastest + easiest + most rewarding way to pay in India in 2025.

How UPI-Based Credit Cards Work (Quick Explainer)

  1. You get a RuPay credit card (physical or virtual).
  2. You add it to your UPI app (PhonePe, Google Pay, Paytm, etc.).
  3. At checkout, select Credit Card on UPI as the payment method.
  4. Scan any merchant QR code → money is charged to your credit limit.
  5. You earn cashback/rewards depending on your card.
  6. Your card bill arrives monthly → pay it before due date to avoid interest.

No more “Card not accepted.”

If the shop accepts UPI, your credit card works instantly.

The 7 Best UPI-Based Credit Cards in India (2025)

Here’s the quick comparison table before we deep-dive:

UPI Credit Cards Comparison Table (2025)

Card with Apply LinkUPI RewardsFeesBest ForUnique Edge
Kiwi UPI Credit Card~1–1.5% UPI cashbackFreeHigh UPI spendersHighest daily-use UPI rewards
Rio Money Credit Card0.75% on UPIFreeBeginnersStrict cap → controlled usage
Axis SuperMoney RuPay3% via SuperMoney appFreePower usersHighest bank-backed UPI reward
HDFC UPI RuPayCategory cashpointsVariesHDFC usersStrong category rewards
AU InstaPay RuPay~1% on essential UPI categoriesFree/LowEssential spendersSimple & beginner-friendly
Tata Neu Infinity RuPay~1.5% on UPI₹1,499 (often waived)Tata ecosystemBigBasket/Croma boosters
ICICI Coral RuPayLow but steady rewardsOften freeYoung digital usersTrusted bank + lifetime free

 

Detailed Card Reviews

  1. Kiwi UPI Credit Card – Best for Highest UPI Cashback

Kiwi is the pioneer of UPI-first credit cards, offering one of the highest cashback rates in the space.

Highlights

    1. ~1–1.5% cashback on UPI Scan & Pay
    2. Instant virtual RuPay card in the app
    3. Zero joining/annual fee
    4. Lifestyle deals + app-driven experience

Best For: Gig workers, students, heavy UPI users, and shoppers who want maximum cashback with zero cost

Apply Now

  1. Rio Money Credit Card – Best Lifetime-Free Card for Beginners

Rio is designed for users who want responsible, controlled credit growth with predictable rewards.

Highlights

    1. 3 Rio Coins per ₹100 UPI spend
    2. Conversion: 4 coins = ₹1 (0.75% effective reward rate)
    3. Strict earning cap: max rewards = 1.5% of credit limit per cycle
    4. Lifetime free—zero fees forever

Best For: New-to-credit users, students, and anyone wanting a safe, zero-cost UPI credit card.

Apply Now

  1. Axis Bank SuperMoney RuPay Credit Card – Best Bank-Backed UPI Cashback

A powerful challenger offering 3% cashback on UPI transactions if you use their SuperMoney app.

Highlights

    1. 3% UPI cashback
    2. 1% on other spends
    3. Lifetime free
    4. Bank-backed stability

Best For: UPI-heavy users wanting maximum value via a traditional bank.

Apply Now

  1. HDFC Bank UPI RuPay Credit Card – Best for Mixed Spend Patterns

A safe, reliable, reward-rich card for people who want premium bank service + UPI convenience.

Highlights

    1. Rewards on UPI, dining, groceries, PayZapp
    2. Trusted HDFC ecosystem
    3. Good for both online and offline spends
    4. Variants with zero fees available

Best For: HDFC customers, salaried users, and family users wanting balanced rewards.

Apply Now

  1. AU Bank InstaPay RuPay Credit Card – Best Simple, No-Fuss UPI Card

Highlights

    1. ~1% UPI cashback in dining/pharmacy/supermarket categories
    2. Often lifetime-free
    3. Minimal exclusions
    4. Light, easy to manage

Best For: UPI-first users who want simple, essential-category savings.

Apply Now

  1. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank RuPay Credit Card – Best for Premium Lifestyle + UPI

Highlights

    1. ~1.5% NeuCoins on UPI via RuPay
    2. Massive benefits on BigBasket, Croma, Tata 1mg, Air India
    3. Lounge access
    4. Premium HDFC features

Best For: Lifestyle shoppers, high spenders, and Tata ecosystem loyalists.

  1. ICICI Coral RuPay Credit Card – Best for Trusted Bank + Low Fees

Highlights

    1. Reward points on UPI
    2. Often lifetime free
    3. ICICI reliability
    4. Good for moderate spenders

Best For: Everyday users who want a bank-backed, no-nonsense UPI credit card.

Which UPI Credit Card Should YOU Choose?

User TypeBest UPI Card(s)
Heavy UPI Scan & Pay userKiwi, Axis SuperMoney
Beginner / first credit cardRio, AU InstaPay
HDFC customer wanting simplicityHDFC UPI RuPay
 Premium shopperTata Neu Infinity
Zero-fee hunterRio, Axis SuperMoney, ICICI Coral
Digital-native millennialKiwi, OneCard RuPay
Mixed UPI + POS spenderHDFC UPI RuPay, Tata Neu

 

Apply & Earn via PickMyWork

With PickMyWork, you can apply for these UPI-based cards—and also earn by helping others apply.

How it Works

  1. Download the PickMyWork app
  2. Sign-Up with Mobile Number (no investment)
  3. Promote the right Credit Card – You will find it in the Credit Card Section
  4. Earn incentives for each successful activation

Perfect for: gig workers, students, part-time earners, and anyone in Tier 2/3 cities.

UPI-based credit cards are the future of India’s payment ecosystem. They combine the simplicity of UPI with the power of credit rewards, and offer some of the best everyday savings for young, digital-first consumers.

Whether you want high cashback (Kiwi), safe, controlled usage (Rio), or bank-backed reliability (HDFC, Axis, ICICI) — there’s a perfect UPI credit card for every type of user.

👉 Start exploring these cards now — and earn with PickMyWork by helping others discover them.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Are all credit cards eligible for UPI payments?
    No. Only RuPay network credit cards can be linked to UPI. 
  2. Will I earn rewards on all UPI transactions?
    Not always. Each card has caps, exclusions & conditions (rent, fuel, wallet loads, etc.). 
  3. Are fintech cards like Kiwi & Rio safe?
    Yes. They run on bank infrastructure (RuPay + partner banks). 
  4. Do UPI credit cards help build credit score?
    Yes — as long as you pay your bill on time. 
  5. Which UPI credit card gives the highest cashback?
    Kiwi (1–1.5%), Axis SuperMoney (3% but app-specific) 
  6. What are the other Credit Cards options for me?
    Check out all the credit cards here –  Choose your credit card & fill your digital credit card application right away

 

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