Kiwi UPI Credit Card Review: 2% Cashback on Scan & Pay?

The UPI Revolution Card

Kiwi (partnered with Yes Bank and Axis Bank) is a unique credit card designed exclusively for UPI users. It is a virtual-first card that lives on your phone.

The premise is simple: Why use a savings account for UPI when you can use a credit card and earn rewards?

Benefit 1: Rewards on UPI (The Main Sell)

Most credit cards give you 0% or very low rewards on UPI. Kiwi changes that.

• Standard Plan (Free): You earn roughly 1% Cashback (4 Kiwis per ₹100 or similar based on current rate) on Scan & Pay transactions.
• Neon Subscription (₹999/yr): You earn 2% Cashback on UPI transactions.

The Catch: Rewards are given in "Kiwis".
1 Kiwi = ₹0.25. You can redeem these Kiwis directly into your bank account via the app, which is as good as cash.

Benefit 2: Lifetime Free (LTF)

The base card is Lifetime Free. There is no joining fee and no annual fee. You only pay if you choose to upgrade to the "Neon" plan for higher rewards.

This makes it a no-brainer as a secondary card just for small merchant payments.

Benefit 3: The App Experience

Kiwi isn't just a card; it's a UPI app (like GPay or PhonePe). You use the Kiwi app to scan QR codes. The experience is seamless, and you can track your "Kiwis" earning in real-time.

Comparison: Kiwi vs Tata Neu Infinity

Feature	Kiwi UPI (Neon)	Tata Neu Infinity
Annual Fee	₹999 (Optional)	₹1,499
UPI Rate	2% (Cashback)	1.5% (NeuCoins)
Redemption	Bank Account	Tata Brands Only
Lounge	None (Base)	Yes (8/yr)

The Drawbacks

1. Capping: There is usually a monthly cap on rewards (e.g., 1% of your credit limit). If your limit is low, your rewards are limited.
2. App Dependency: You typically need to use the Kiwi app to get the best experience and rewards tracking.
3. Exclusions: No rewards on P2P transfers (obviously), and often exclusions on fuel/utilities apply.

Verdict: Should You Apply?

YES, if:
1. You make a lot of UPI payments (tea, groceries, auto rides).
2. You want a Lifetime Free RuPay card.
3. You prefer cashback directly to your bank account over loyalty points.

NO, if:
1. You already have the Tata Neu Infinity and prefer Tata NeuCoins.
2. You want airport lounge access (Kiwi is not a travel card).