Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card
Financial Expert Advice
Choose Your First (or Next) Credit Card Wisely
"Limit yourself to holding two credit cards A/C—one for daily expenses and auto-debits, and another reserved for emergencies.
Avoid chasing cashback, miles, rewards or Investments, as this can distract from sound financial management;
and lead to unnecessary debt. Focus on stability & discipline."
Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card Review
Introduction
The Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card targets value-seekers who spend heavily on groceries, food delivery, entertainment, and fuel. With tiered cash-back, a modest annual fee, and a straightforward redemption process (₹1 per point), it suits first-time cardholders or anyone wanting a single, low-maintenance rewards card.
Key Features and Benefits
Welcome Benefit
No joining bonus is provided—value is delivered via ongoing cash-back.
Milestone Benefit
Spend ₹2 lakh in an anniversary year and the annual fee is waived.
Reward Structure
| Spend Category | Cash-back Rate | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|
| Online groceries & food delivery | 5% | Combined category cap — 500 points per cycle |
| Online entertainment (movies, OTT, gaming) | 5% | Counts toward the same 500-point cycle cap |
| Fuel (all brands) | 3% | Included in the 500-point cycle cap |
| All other eligible spends | 0.5% | Unlimited |
- 1 Reward Point = ₹1 cash credit.
Points expire 12 months after accrual if unredeemed.
Cash-back is credited after manual redemption on the Kotak Rewards portal.
Lounge Access
No complimentary domestic or international lounge access.
Surcharge Waiver
Fuel Surcharge Waiver – 1% on transactions ₹500–₹4,000, capped at ₹3,500 per anniversary year.
Fees and Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Remarks |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹750 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹750 + GST (waived on ₹2 lakh spend) |
| Add-on Card Fee | Nil |
| Interest Charges | 3.75% per month (45% p.a.) |
| Foreign Currency Mark-up | 3.5% |
| Late Payment Charges | (slab-based) |
| Cash Advance Fee | ₹300 per ₹10,000 withdrawn |
| Over-limit Charge | ₹500 |
Struggling to keep up with mounting credit card bills?
Card Essential
| Type | Cashback |
| Welcome Benefits | ---- |
| Annual Fee | ₹750 + GST |
| Reward Structure | Cashback On SPENDS |
| Renewal Benefit | ₹750 (waived off on annual spends of ₹200,000). |
Rewards and Benefits Analysis
Kotak Cashback+ excels for routine urban spending—online groceries, Swiggy/Zomato orders, movie tickets, and OTT subscriptions—while offering a rare 3% fuel cash-back. The 500-point (₹500) monthly cap limits maximum yearly accelerated savings to ₹6,000 , so very high spenders may outgrow the card. Still, the fee is modest and easy to offset with regular use.
Practical Considerations
Best for:
Cardholders spending ₹10k–₹15k/month across groceries, food delivery, entertainment, and fuel.
Beginners wanting hassle-free cash-back and a low fee.
Redemption Options
- Redeem points every few months to avoid the one-year expiry window and ensure they offset future bills.
Ideal User Profile
Young professionals or families ordering groceries online and streaming content regularly.
Commuters who value steady fuel savings.
Users preferring cash-back over airline miles or complex reward catalogs.
Final Thoughts
The Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card is a straightforward, entry-level cash-back option that shines in popular everyday categories and uniquely rewards fuel. While the monthly cap tempers total returns and there are no lifestyle perks, the card’s simplicity, fee waiver, and ₹1-per-point redemption keep it practical for moderate spenders focused on tangible savings.
Additional Tips for Applicants
can Limit monthly grocery/food/entertainment spends to ₹10,000 combined to fully utilize the 5% cap.
can Use the card for all petrol transactions up to ₹16,667/month to maximize both 3% cash-back and surcharge waiver.
Set calendar reminders to redeem points before they lapse at 12 months.
Track categories like utilities, insurance, wallet loads, and rent—they earn no rewards.
If your annual spend consistently exceeds ₹4 lakh, consider higher-tier cash-back cards for uncapped returns.
This review provides a balanced view of the card's strengths and weaknesses, helping readers make informed decisions about whether the Kotak Cashback+ Credit Card aligns with their
Spending Habits And Financial Goals.
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