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Table of Contents

1. Introduction to the Kiwi Credit Card 🪙

The Kiwi Credit Card is an innovative virtual RuPay credit card introduced via the Kiwi app. It’s distinguished by its integration with UPI — enabling users to make credit-card-backed payments through QR code scan-and-pay, whereas traditionally UPI used only debit bank accounts. Launched in mid-2023 in partnership with Axis Bank (and later Yes Bank), this card addresses modern payment needs: swift, digital, reward-rich, and virtually free-for-life

Kiwi’s founding team includes fintech veterans like Siddharth Mehta (former Freecharge CEO), Mohit Bedi (ex-Axis Bank & PayU), and Anup Agrawal (ex-LazyPay) Their vision: democratize credit-card usage for everyday purchases via UPI, while delivering simplicity, transparency, and immediate rewards.

2. How It Works: UPI Meets Credit

2.1 Virtual Card Issuance

Instant issuance: The Kiwi app issues a virtual RuPay credit card funded via Axis or Yes Bank as soon as e-KYC is complete. There’s no physical card — unless you request one (not standard).
No fees: Zero joining or annual fees — truly Lifetime Free

2.2 Paying via UPI

This is the key differentiator: You can link this card to UPI and pay at any merchant via scan-and-pay — effectively using credit instead of a debit-linked bank account
The Kiwi app also supports direct credit card payments and UPI ID creation, enabling seamless fund flows via credit backing

3. Key Benefits

3.1 Cashback on UPI Transactions

Base cashback: Earn 1–2 % on UPI scan payments — usually 2 Kiwin_points per ₹100, equivalent to 1 % cashback
Real-time payouts: Cashback (“Kiwis”) is credited instantly to your bank. No waiting periods or point-to-cash conversions required .

3.2 Neon Subscription – Enhanced Rewards

Kiwi offers the optional Neon annual subscription (~₹999) that enhances cashback in tiers:

Milestone Spend	Cashback Rate	Lounge Access
₹ 50,000	3 %	1 domestic lounge
₹ 100,000	4 %	+1 lounge
₹ 150,000+	5 %*	+1 lounge (total 3 visits)

*Upon reaching ₹ 1.5 Lakh pack, 5 % cashback applies retroactively and prospectively

Cashback credited monthly or within ~30 days after the milestone .
Lounge access: Up to 3 free domestic airport lounge visits annually, credited as you hit each milestone

3.3 Lifetime Free Card

There are zero joining and annual fees, ever.
Neon is optional, and Kiwi regularly waives its Neon fee for early subscribers

3.4 Instant Virtual Card

Issued digitally, ready for UPI or online use within minutes. Manage your card entirely in the app — block/unblock, statement history, credit limit control, etc.

4. Setting It Up: Eligibility & Application

Who Can Apply?

Residency: Indian residents, 18+; some data suggests minimum age 21–25
Credit score: Typically CIBIL ≥ 700–750 .
Requirements: Mobile phone with UPI, Aadhaar + PAN e-KYC, decent income if required (₹ 25 k+ monthly)

Application Steps

Download the Kiwi app (Android/iOS).
Sign up with mobile number, set UPI, link bank account.
Upload Aadhaar & PAN for e-KYC.
Waitlist + instant virtual card inside the app.
(Optional) Activate and pay Neon subscription, link card with UPI

5. Rewards Breakdown & Value

Without Neon

Earn 1 % on UPI spends (~2 Kiwin_points per ₹100).
Monthly cap = 1 % of credit limit or ₹500 (whichever is lower)
No rewards on categories like fuel, rent, insurance, govt, utilities, telecom

With Neon

Tiered rate: 3 % on ₹ 50 k, up to 5 % on ₹ 1.5 Lakh annual spend
Loun ge access included — 3 visits within annual cycle
Neon fee (~₹ 999), often waived for early subscribers; ROI at ₹ 1.5 L spend easily exceeds ₹ 7,500 cashback potential

Shuttle Point Conversion

Redemption at 1 Kiwi = ₹ 0.25 via instant bank pay-out

6. Perks & Features Beyond Cashback

6.1 Lounge Access

1 domestic lounge per milestone; up to 3 per year
Great for travelers in Tier-1 cities — typically ₹ 500–800 per visit value.

6.2 Real-Time App Control

Freeze/unfreeze the card, monitor transactions, raise complaints, access detailed history (with app update v6.7.3)
You can create a custom UPI ID inside the app

6.3 Referral Rewards & Offers

Occasional bonus offers for app referrals and seasonal deals via partners

7. Limitations & Considerations

7.1 Limited to UPI & Virtual Use

No physical card — if you prefer swiping at small merchants, not available.
E-commerce and broader spend not maximized — cashback focused on UPI

7.2 Reward Exclusions

Ineligible spends: government payments, utilities, telecom, fuel, rent, insurance
Only multiples-of-₹ 100 transaction amounts earn Kiwis — ₹ 299 spend qualifies for ₹ 200 equivalent

7.3 Monthly Caps

Kiwi may enforce a ₹ 500/month cap or 1 % of credit limit after milestone attainment—whichever lower

7.4 Neon Subscription Fees & Caveats

If you meet no milestone, Kiwi may partially refund Neon fee per terms
Neon enrollment can be confusing; timing between card activation and subscription matters .

7.5 Customer Support Feedback

Mixed user experiences: some report unresponsiveness and delays in issue resolution via chat/email .
App improvements continue (v6.7.3 adds complaint mechanism) .

8. Comparing Kiwi versus Competing Cards

8.1 Axis Kwik RuPay

Also lifetime free, with 1–2 % points on UPI.
Rewards posted as bank points redeemable for vouchers — slower process

8.2 Amazon Pay ICICI

5 % on Amazon, lower foöd/utility categories; only redeemable through Amazon Pay balance

8.3 Jupiter Edge RuPay

Offers 2 % cashback in user-selected category (e.g., groceries); rewards come as in-app “Jewels”

8.4 Kiwi’s Unique Edge

Immediate cashback to bank account, UPI-powered credit usage, clear reward tiers, realistic redemption
Neon gives lounge access — an uncommon perk among free RuPay cards.

9. Use‑Cases: When Kiwi Shines & When It Doesn’t

Ideal for You If…

You frequently make UPI payments — digitized vendors, food orders, utility bills, etc.
Travel occasionally and want lounge access with zero extra fees apart from milestone spend.
Prefer immediate cashback vs. points or e-wallet balances.
Comfortable using digital-only cards and app-centric financial tools.

Not Ideal If…

You pay rent, insurance, utilities regularly — these won’t earn rewards.
You dislike virtual-only cards or often shop in-person swiping physical cards.
You can’t meet ₹ 1.5 L milestone annually — Neon ROI diminishes.
You value strong customer support — Kiwi is improving, but some gaps remain

10. Real User Feedback 🌍

One iOS review (v6.7.3) highlights:

“Customer Service is pathetic… you cannot reach them on call… Kiwi Chat available is just useless…”

This reflects wider sentiment: while the concept works well, user experience in support and onboarding occasionally falters. But app upgrades (like v6.7.3’s new complaint workflow) are responding to these concerns .

11. Strategic Outlook & Market Potential

Partnership ambition: Kiwi aims to onboard over 1 million users with credit-on-UPI partnerships in the next 18 months
UPI credit push: RBI’s policy enabling UPI payments via credit is a catalyst — Kiwi is among the early adopters .
Growing fintech competition: Several banks are exploring RuPay credit-on-UPI; Kiwi’s focus is on seamless experience, rewards simplicity, and digital-native control.

12. Summary & Verdict

Overall, the Kiwi Credit Card is a fresh, compelling option for digitally-savvy users who:

Enjoy making everyday purchases via UPI,
Value instant cashbacks over delayed rewards,
Want occasional lounge access — with zero hidden annual fees.

It delivers on its promise: credit-on-UPI via RuPay, transparent rewards, and app control — all free. Neon boosts make sense for high UPI spenders; otherwise, the base 1 % is still good.

Caveats include reward limitations, virtual-only use, and evolving customer support. But Kiwi is rapidly improving and stands as a well-designed entry in India’s rapidly evolving UPI-credit ecosystem.

13. Tips to Maximize Use

Meet Neon quickly: Spend ₹ 1.5 L within first 3–6 months to secure 5 % cashback ROI.
Track spend categories: Avoid non-reward sectors like fuel & rent.
Monitor monthly caps: Kiwi may limit through credit-limit-based caps.
Stay app-updated: Keep the Kiwi app (v6.7.3+) for new features: complaint system, custom UPI ID, transaction insights.
Engage support proactively: Use email escalations if chat is sluggish — Kiwi is improving forms.

14. Final Word

The Kiwi Credit Card blends modern digital payments, real-time benefits, and simplicity — all underpinned by a zero-fee, virtual-first design. It’s a standout for users who budget UPI spend, appreciate quick cashbacks, and navigate finance through their phone. It isn’t a one-size-fits-all card, but in its lane, it’s among the strongest, most thoughtfully built options in India today.