1. Overview & Positioning
The YES Bank POP‑Club Credit Card is a co‑branded RuPay credit card launched by YES Bank in collaboration with POPclub, a lifestyle‑rewards platform. Marketed as a value-packed option for genç, digital-native spenders, it brings together:
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A reward structure offering POPcoins on online, offline, and UPI transactions
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Welcome benefits from brands like Blinkit, Zomato, Cleartrip, Rapido, PharmEasy, and Cult
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Fee-waiver milestone feature: spending ₹1.5 lakh in an anniversary year waives the ₹399 + GST annual fee
Available to salaried and self-employed individuals with basic income/disbursement criteria, this card positions itself as a lifestyle-centric, mid-tier rewards card without airport lounges or premium travel features
2. Fees & Charges
Key fees include:
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Joining fee: ₹0 (lifetime free promotion valid until March 31, 2025)
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Annual fee: ₹399 + GST (~₹471), waived with ≥ ₹1.5 lakh annual spend
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Finance charges: 3.99% monthly (~47.88% p.a.) on revolving balances, cash advances, and overdue amounts
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Other transaction fees on unhealthy spends:
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Fuel, utilities, wallets, etc. — standard 1–1.5% + GST once thresholds crossed; capped monthly
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If managed smartly with full‑statement payments and milestone spending, annual cost may be nil and you can profit via rewards.
3. Rewards: POPcoins Explained
The core appeal:
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Online purchases: 10 POPcoins per ₹100 spent (~10%)
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Offline purchases: 2 POPcoins per ₹100 (~2%)
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POP UPI or RuPay UPI linked spends: additional ~5% (effectively ~10–15 POPcoins per ₹100)
POPcoins equate roughly to ₹0.25–₹0.50 per coin, depending on redemption—though mainstream valuation hovers around ₹0.25, making effective cashback:
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Online: ~2.5%
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Offline: ~0.5%
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UPI spends: ~2.5–3.75% cash value
Extra milestone POPcoins:
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Earn 1,500 POPcoins (~₹375) on crossing ₹1.5 lakh annual spend
Additional opportunities via POPclub marketplace offers on 500+ brands
4. Welcome & Lifestyle Benefits
At onboarding, cardholders are awarded a suite of perks worth an estimated ₹5,000:
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500 POPcoins (~₹125) on first activation
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5 free Blinkit deliveries
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₹750 Cleartrip voucher & free ₹1 cancellation/reschedule
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₹500 Cult Sport voucher
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3‑month Zomato Gold Mini membership
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6‑month PharmEasy Plus membership
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2 free Rapido bike rides (₹100 each) per month
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1% fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol pumps
These perks cater well to frequent online shoppers, commuters, loyalty-app users, and occasional travellers.
5. Charges & Limitations
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Finance charges are steep if minimum payment isn’t made (3.99% monthly)
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Unhealthy transaction fees (wallets, utilities, fuel beyond thresholds) – 1–1.5% + GST
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POPcoins value: practical redemption is capped to in‑app marketplace; limited to vouchers/samples—no cash withdrawal
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No premium travel add-ons: no airport lounge access, travel insurance, or concierge
6. Real‑World Feedback & Reddit Insights
👍 Positives
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Free first year & online‑heavy rewards: widely appreciated
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UPI-added benefits boost everyday earn rate
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Introductory perks deliver true value: Blinkit, Cleartrip, Zomato, etc.
“Since the card is FYF, you can apply for the card, use the card and get the benefits … if you feel that the card is worth keeping … else you can close the card after year has passed”
👎 Negatives
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POPcoins recyclable only in POP app’s inflated marketplace
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Redemption glitches & slow processing, reclamation issues
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Overpriced items mimicking “credible” value
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Yes Bank’s aggressive sales tactics in other card launches leave a trust deficit—though less directly tied to POP Club
7. Who This Card Suits
Ideal for those who:
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Benefit from online shopping, food delivery (Zomato), groceries (Blinkit), ride‑hailing (Rapido), and healthcare (PharmEasy)
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Can meet the ₹1.5 lakh annual spending to waive annual fee + get milestone reward
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Avoid revolving balances
Not ideal for:
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Frequent flyers/desirous of lounge access & premium travel benefits
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Users seeking direct cashback or flexible rewards within major wallets or bank accounts
8. Strategic Tips
To maximize value:
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Activate & fully utilize welcome perks immediately (within first 30–60 days).
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Push for ₹1.5 lakh annual spend—helps waive fees and earn the ₹375 equivalent milestone reward.
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Prefer UPI transactions using the linked POP UPI for extra coins.
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Redeem POPcoins opportunistically for vouchers/products you need; avoid low-value item traps.
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Pay full balances on time every month to avoid high interest costs.
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Track the end of the ₹0 joining fee promo (March 31, 2025); reconsider card continuation post-promo.
9. 2000‑Word Target: Expansion Ideas
To reach ~2000 words, consider deepening these sections:
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6a. Feature-by-feature comparison with similar RuPay and low-fee co-branded cards
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6b. Case studies: Examine sample spenders—online shopper, heavy UPI user, fuel + groceries lifestyle—and projected gains
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6c. Redemption process breakdown: step-by-step walkthrough of POPclub app, coin validity, marketplace navigation
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6d. Risk safeguards: explain how users can avoid upselling, understand fee structures, stay alert to YES Bank’s sales approaches
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6e. Frequently asked questions: e.g., supplementary cards, card replacement, dispute resolution
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6f. Future outlook: how POPclub/YES Bank might evolve (e.g., expanding redemption partners, better UI/UX)
10. Conclusion
The YES Bank POP‑Club Credit Card presents a compelling, value-centric proposition for digitally engaged Indian consumers—especially millennials and Gen Zers. It blends strong online rewards and welcome perks from everyday lifestyle apps with a moderate fee that can be waived. As long as you spend wisely, pay fully, and stay cautious of redemption pitfalls or upsells, this card can deliver 2–3% effective returns and convenience for a broad range of needs. Just be financially disciplined and avoid carrying costly balances.
