YES BANK RESERV 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."
YES BANK RESERV Credit Card Review:
Premium Rewards, International Lounge Access & Unmatched Values
Introduction
The YES BANK RESERV Credit Card is a reimagined version of the classic YES First Exclusive, now updated with best-in-industry reward rates, premium travel privileges, and robust value for affluent professionals and frequent travelers. With stellar returns on both online and offline spends, industry-leading lounge access, and a manageable annual fee (with realistic waiver thresholds), the RESERV is perfectly suited for digital-first, travel-loving, and benefit-focused users who want more from every swipe.
Key Features and Benefits
Milestone Benefit
- First Year Membership Fee of INR 2,499 applicable taxes, waived off on total retail spends of INR 40,000/- done within one month of card set up date.
Rewards Structure
Earn 24 YES Rewardz Points on every ₹200 spent for online shopping (except select categories).
Earn 12 YES Rewardz Points on every ₹200 spent for offline shopping (except select categories).
Earn 6 YES Rewardz Points on every ₹200 spent in select categories.
No reward points on rent, wallet loads, fuel, UPI, government payments, marketing/advertising, cash withdrawals, or EMI transactions.
Maximum of 36,000 reward points per statement cycle.
Airport Lounge Access
- Domestic: 3 complimentary lounge visits per quarter—applies to both primary and add-on cardholders.
- International: 6 complimentary visits/year.
- Quarterly Requirement: ₹10,000+ spend per quarter needed for next quarter’s lounge access.
Golf Access
- 4 green fee waiver per year 1 Golf lesson per year at select golf courses in India.
Purchase Protection
- Insurance cover of upto INR 50,000 against accidental damage for 6 months for mobile & electronic purchased online.
Low Forex Markup
- 1.75% on all international transactions.
RESERV Credit Card Fees and charges
| Category | Fee Details | Threshold / Cap |
|---|---|---|
| First Year Membership Fee | ₹2,499 + applicable taxes; waived if total retail spends ≥ ₹40,000 within 1 month of card setup | — |
| Renewal Membership Fee | ₹2,499 + applicable taxes; waived if total retail spends ≥ ₹3,00,000 in 12 months before renewal | — |
| Interest Rate | 2.99% per month (35.88% annually) on overdue amounts | — |
| Rental Transactions | 1% or ₹1 (whichever is higher) for transactions up to ₹1,000; 1% or ₹199 (whichever is higher) for transactions above ₹1,000 | Max 5 per 30 days |
| Wallet Transactions | 1% or ₹1 (whichever is higher) | — |
| Utility Transactions | 1% fee on monthly spends above ₹15,000 | Fee capped at ₹3,000 per month |
| Example (Utility) | Spend ₹10,000 – No fee; Spend ₹20,000 – ₹200 + taxes | — |
| Education Fee Payments | 1% + GST via third-party apps | Fee capped at ₹5,000 per calendar month |
| Fuel Transactions | 1% + GST on transactions above ₹10,000 | Fee capped at ₹5,000 per transaction |
| Example (Fuel) | ₹9,000 – No fee; ₹20,000 – ₹200 + GST | — |
| Tolls/Bridges Transactions | 1% + GST on transactions above ₹10,000 | Fee capped at ₹5,000 per transaction |
| Example (Tolls/Bridges) | ₹9,000 – No fee; ₹20,000 – ₹200 + GST | — |
Struggling to keep up with mounting credit card bills?
Card Essentials
| Type | Reward Points |
| Welcome Benefits | ₹2,499 fee waived on ₹40,000 spend in 1 month. |
| Annual Fee | ₹2,499 + GST |
| Reward Structure | Rewards on Eligible SPENDS |
| Renewal Benefit | Spend ₹3,00,000 annually, get your renewal fee waived. |
Rewards and Benefits Analysis
Who Benefits Most?
Heavy online shoppers: 3% back is the highest on an Indian credit card; capping is generous at ₹3 lakh cycle.
Frequent travelers: Domestic and international lounge access outpaces most premium cards under ₹2,500/year.
Global spenders: Benefit from low forex markup (1.75%) and insurance for key purchases.
Big spenders: Easily waivable fee with ₹3 lakh annual spend; card can be “lifetime free” for many active users.
Value Calculation:
Spend ₹1,00,000 online: Earn 12,000 points = ₹3,000 (travel/hotel redemption).
Spend ₹2,00,000 offline: Earn 12,000 points = ₹3,000 value.
Lounge and insurance saves ₹10,000+ per year for regular users.
Practical Considerations
Fees, Charges & Caps
Joining Fee: ₹2,499 + GST (waived on ₹40,000 spend in 30 days).
Annual Fee: ₹2,499 + GST (waived on ₹3 lakh/yr spend, renewal bonus of 8,000 points if paid).
Redemption: ₹0.25 per point for flights/hotels; statement credit/gift voucher also available (fees may apply).
Capping: 36,000 points/cycle for accelerated online rewards (~₹3 lakh spend p.m.); rent & wallet spends excluded from thresholds.
Quarterly Lounge Condition: Spend ₹10,000 in current quarter for access next quarter.
Eligibility
Age: 21–60 years
Income: ₹2 lakh+/month (salaried) or ₹18 lakh+ annual ITR.
Documentation: KYC, income proof.
Existing YES First Exclusive holders: May request a swap—no product change required.
Redemption Options
YES Rewardz Portal
Flights/hotels at ₹0.25/RP (best value), also for e-vouchers, bill credit, and select merchandise.
No restrictive “70% rule” on rewards—redeem for full value.
Best Practice
Redeem for travel—Indian low-cost flights often yield highest value.
Save points for large-value redemptions (airfare/hotels).
Monitor point expiry (usually 3 years from accrual).
Ideal User Profile
Online shopping enthusiasts: High reward rate, uncapped for most spenders, direct redemption flexibility.
Affluent business professionals/travelers: frequent lounge and premium feature usage, maximize yearly value.
Global citizens: Regular international spending, need for low forex costs, and diverse redemption options.
Family cardholders: Add-on card lounge access and coverage for shared/household expenses.
Final Thoughts
Strengths
Industry-leading 3% rewards online, 1.5% offline, capped only for ultra-high spenders.
Outstanding travel perks—6 international and 12 domestic lounge visits/year.
Robust security, insurance, and purchase protection suite.
Very low 1.75% forex markup; globally competitive.
Fee can be reliably waived; effective “LTF” for high-value users.
Limitations
No welcome benefits beyond fee waiver (renewal gets 8,000 points only).
Quarterly lounge access now has ₹10,000 spend trigger.
Capped milestone/bonus benefits vs. some super-premium offerings.
Some limitations for rent, wallet, and utility spends.
Additional Tips for Applicants
Entry Strategy: Spend ₹40,000 in first 30 days for fee waiver; plan for ₹3 lakh+ annual spending for LTF experience.
Documentation: Be ready with latest salary slip/ITR showing required income.
Rewards Maximization: Route online purchases and business spends through the card to exploit 3% reward rate.
Lounge Use: Hit quarterly spend targets to guarantee airport access; add supplementary cards for family benefit.
Redemption: Opt for travel and hotel redemption for best value; use statement credit if you need cash flow.
For premium users who want luxury perks, flexible redemptions, and the best rewards for everyday spending, the YES BANK RESERV Credit Card is among the best “do-it-all” cards in India today.
This review offers a clear and balanced overview of The YES BANK RESERV Credit Card’s strengths and limitations, helping readers make an informed choice about whether this card fits their
Spending Habits And Financial Goals.
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