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Credit cards have become an essential part of daily life in India, offering convenience, rewards, and security. Choosing between a RuPay credit card and a Mastercard credit card can affect your spending experience, rewards, and acceptance—both in India and abroad. This article compares both options using only official credit card providers and bank sources, so you can make the right choice for your lifestyle and needs.
A RuPay credit card is India’s homegrown payment network, designed for seamless, secure, and affordable domestic transactions. It is widely accepted across India and is now enabled for UPI payments, making it ideal for local purchases, bill payments, and digital transactions.
A Mastercard credit card is an international payment network accepted in over 200 countries. It offers global usability, travel perks, and premium rewards. This comparison helps you decide which card suits your needs—whether you spend mostly in India or need international acceptance and travel benefits.
Use case: If you mainly shop and pay bills within India, a RuPay credit card with UPI integration might be your best fit. If you travel abroad or shop on international websites, a Mastercard credit card may offer more flexibility.
When comparing RuPay credit card and Mastercard credit card options, consider welcome benefits, fees, annual charges, eligibility, and key offers. Each network partners with banks to provide unique card features.
Parameter |
RuPay Credit Card |
Mastercard Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
Welcome Benefits |
May include reward points, discounts, or first-year fee waivers (e.g., 1,000 points on ₹500 spend in 30 days) |
Might offer joining bonuses, travel vouchers, or shopping discounts (varies by bank) |
Annual Charges |
Often zero or low for entry-level cards (e.g., Kotak UPI RuPay – Nil, IndusInd Platinum – Nil) |
Ranges from zero to ₹3,000+ for premium cards (e.g., HDFC World Mastercard, Standard Chartered Rewards) |
Eligibility |
Indian residents/NRIs, age 18-70, income as per bank policy |
Indian citizens, age 18+, income as per card/bank policy |
Key Offers |
UPI payments, domestic lounge access, exclusive Indian merchant deals, fuel surcharge waiver |
International usage, travel and lifestyle perks, mobile insurance, global lounge access |
Examples |
ICICI Coral RuPay, Axis Bank NEO RuPay, IndusInd Platinum RuPay |
HDFC World Mastercard, Standard Chartered Rewards Mastercard, Airtel Axis Bank Mastercard |
Always check the issuing bank’s website for the latest eligibility and benefits before applying.
Both RuPay credit card and Mastercard credit card options offer rewards, cashback, and points. The earning potential depends on the card type and your spending habits.
A RuPay credit card may offer up to 2% back as reward points on grocery and dining spends, plus special UPI-linked rewards. For example, IndusInd Bank Platinum RuPay Credit Card gives 2 points per ₹100 on UPI spends. Mastercard credit cards like HDFC Bank World Mastercard Credit Card offer 2 points per ₹150 spent, with bonus points for higher monthly spends.
Many RuPay credit cards provide discounts and reward points at partner restaurants. Mastercard credit cards may offer exclusive dining privileges and “Priceless Cities” experiences, which might include discounts or complimentary dishes at select outlets.
Premium RuPay credit cards like ICICI Coral Rupay Credit Card offer complimentary railway or airport lounge access within India. Mastercard credit cards may provide international lounge access, travel insurance, and trip planning services (e.g., HDFC World Mastercard, Standard Chartered Rewards).
Use case: A user who pays for groceries and utilities via UPI can earn more with a RuPay credit card. A frequent traveller spending on flights and hotels may benefit from a Mastercard credit card with global rewards and lounge access.
Knowing the fees and waiver conditions is crucial for maximising your card’s value. Here’s a comparison of six popular cards:
Card Name |
Joining/Annual Fees |
Waiver Criteria |
Other Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
Kotak UPI RuPay Credit Card |
Nil/Nil |
NA |
3.5% interest pm, late fee ₹100-₹1200 |
IndusInd Platinum RuPay Credit Card |
Nil/Nil |
NA |
2 reward points per ₹100 UPI spend |
IRCTC Rupay SBI Credit Card |
₹500/₹500 |
Spend ₹1 Lakh/year |
Late fee ₹400-₹1,300, 3.5% interest pm |
HDFC World Mastercard Credit Card |
₹2,500/₹2,500 |
Spend ₹3 Lakhs/year |
3.49% interest pm, lounge access |
Standard Chartered Rewards Mastercard Credit Card |
Nil/₹1,000 |
Spend ₹3 Lakhs/year |
Late fee ₹100-₹1,200, 3.75% interest pm |
Airtel Axis Bank Mastercard Credit Card |
₹500/₹500 |
Spend ₹2 Lakhs/year |
EMI charges, late fee, foreign markup |
Note: Banks may waive annual fees if you meet spend criteria. Always check for hidden charges like cash advance fees, foreign currency markup, and late payment penalties on the official card website.
Disclaimer: The benefits of the respective credit cards mentioned above are added with reference to the information available at the time of writing. For the latest updates, please visit the official website.
Card acceptance and payment flexibility are vital for Indian users.
RuPay credit card: Accepted at almost all ATMs, POS terminals, and e-commerce sites in India. Now enabled for UPI payments, allowing you to pay at UPI-enabled merchants using your credit card. International acceptance is limited but expanding through Discover partnerships.
Mastercard credit card: Accepted worldwide at millions of outlets and ATMs. Supports contactless payments, global ATMs, and advanced security features. Not currently enabled for UPI payments in India.
Use case: If you need to pay via UPI or shop locally, a RuPay credit card offers unmatched flexibility. If you travel abroad or shop on global websites, a Mastercard credit card may be more useful.
Many credit cards provide travel and lifestyle perks.
Options like ICICI Coral RuPay and IndusInd Platinum RuPay offer complimentary access to railway lounges and select airport lounges in India, plus UPI-linked travel payments and fuel surcharge waivers.
Premium cards such as HDFC World Mastercard and Standard Chartered Rewards Mastercard provide free international airport lounge visits, travel insurance, trip planning, and exclusive global offers.
Use case: A domestic traveller may prefer a RuPay credit card for railway and airport lounge perks. A frequent flyer may benefit more from a Mastercard credit card with international lounge access and travel insurance.
Disclaimer: The benefits of the respective credit cards mentioned above are added with reference to the information available at the time of writing. For the latest updates, please visit the official website.
Choosing the right card depends on your lifestyle and spending habits.
If you shop mainly on Indian e-commerce sites and want to use UPI, a RuPay credit card with UPI rewards and local offers is ideal.
If you travel abroad often, a Mastercard credit card with global acceptance, international lounge access, and travel insurance might suit you best.
Looking to save on fees? Entry-level RuPay credit cards usually have lower or zero annual fees and offer rewards on daily spends.
Both networks partner with restaurants and lifestyle brands for discounts and special offers, but Mastercard may provide more international experiences.
Prefer Indian travel? RuPay credit card options with railway and airport lounge access and UPI-linked payments provide value for money.
Choosing between a RuPay credit card and a Mastercard credit card depends on your needs and spending style. If you want seamless UPI payments and domestic rewards, a RuPay credit card might suit you. For international use and premium perks, a Mastercard credit card could be better. Always check the latest offers and eligibility on the bank’s website before applying.
It depends on your needs. A RuPay credit card may be best for local spends and UPI payments, while a Mastercard credit card might suit those who travel internationally or want global rewards.
A RuPay credit card may have limited international acceptance, and some premium global perks may not be available compared to Mastercard.
Yes, a RuPay credit card offers UPI compatibility, low or zero annual fees, domestic lounge access, and exclusive Indian merchant offers. It is also widely accepted across India.
International acceptance of RuPay credit cards is limited but growing through partnerships with Discover and Diners Club networks. Always check with your bank for the latest coverage.
Currently, Mastercard credit cards are not enabled for UPI payments in India. Only selected RuPay credit cards can be linked to UPI apps for credit card transactions.
Not all banks have enabled their RuPay credit cards for UPI on Google Pay. Check with your issuing bank or try linking your card on another UPI app that supports RuPay credit cards.
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Posted on 16 May
Roshani Ballal
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