Kotak Royale Signature vs Kotak White Credit Card

Kotak Mahindra Bank offers the Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card, known for its popularity among customers due to its rewarding features. This card goes beyond a basic credit card, providing reward points for regular and specific category spending like dining and travel. Cardholders also earn bonus points based on credit card usage. Additionally, the card enhances travel experiences with complimentary quarterly lounge visits.

The Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card provides benefits like fuel and railway ticket savings with surcharge waivers. It doesn’t charge a joining fee, but there’s a Rs. 999 renewal fee, which can be waived based on card usage. On the other hand, the newly introduced Kotak White Credit Card presents the White Pass Value reward system. Although both cards offer travel and lifestyle perks, they vary in certain features.

The Kotak White Credit Card rewards users with White Pass Value, determined by their spending habits. It grants privileges such as access to both domestic and international airport lounges, along with a complimentary Priority Pass Membership. The card incurs a joining and renewal fee of Rs. 3,000, which could be waived if the card is used frequently enough.

Features and Benefits of Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card and Kotak White Credit Card

Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card:

1. Overview:
   • Kotak Mahindra Bank offers the Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card.
   • It provides rewards and travel benefits to cardholders.
2. Earning Reward Points:
   • Earn 2 Reward Points for every Rs. 150 spent (excluding fuel and railway transactions).
   • 2x Reward Points for specific categories like hotels, restaurants, airlines, and international spends.
3. Lounge Access and Travel Benefits:
   • You’re entitled to two free entries to domestic airport lounges through the Visa Lounge Access Program.
   • Fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000.
   • Railway ticket booking surcharge waiver on IRCTC Website or counters.
4. Milestone Benefits:
   • Earn bonus reward points as you hit spending milestones: Receive 10,000 points upon spending Rs. 4 Lakhs and 30,000 points if you spend Rs. 8 Lakhs or above.
5. Insurance Cover:
   • Get coverage of up to Rs. 2.5 Lakhs specifically designed to protect against fraudulent transactions.
6. Renewal Fee:
   • No joining fee; Rs. 999 renewal fee.
   • Receive a waiver on renewal fees by spending Rs. 1 Lakh or above during your anniversary year.
7. Redemption:
   • Points accumulated through transactions can be exchanged for rewards on the website www.kotakrewards.com, with each reward point valued at Rs. 0.1875.

Kotak White Credit Card:

1. Overview:
   • The semi-premium credit card offered by Kotak Mahindra Bank is a distinct variation of their Kotak White Reserve Credit Card.
   • Focuses on White Pass Value as a rewarding system.
2. Welcome Benefits and Fees:
   • Rs. 1,500 gift voucher on spending Rs. 30,000 within the first 60 days.
   • Joining and renewal fee of Rs. 3,000.
3. White Pass Value Earning:
   • Earn White Pass Value based on spending increments.
   • Ranges from Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 8,000 based on spending categories.
4. Lounge Access and Travel Benefits:
   • Complimentary Priority Pass Membership for access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
   • 8 domestic lounge visits and 4 international lounge visits annually.
5. Insurance Cover:
   • You’re provided with insurance coverage of Rs. 2.5 Lakhs specifically designed to protect against fraudulent transactions.
6. Fuel and Railway Surcharge Waivers:
   • 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000.
   • 1.8% to 2.5% surcharge waiver on railway ticket bookings.
7. Renewal Fee Waiver:
   • You won’t have to pay the Rs. 3,000 renewal fee if you spend Rs. 5 Lakhs or above during the anniversary year.
8. Redemption:
   • You can exchange White Pass Value for a variety of items and vouchers available on the website www.kotakrewards.com.

Comparison between Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card and Kotak White Credit Card

Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card:

1. Reward Rate:
   • 2 RP for every Rs. 150 spent.
   • 4 RP for every Rs. 150 spent on selected categories.
   • Rewards credited as White Pass Value.
   • White Pass Value earned after exceeding Rs. 2 Lakhs in spends.
2. Reward Redemption:
   • Redeemable against products and vouchers on Kotak Rewards Website.
   • 1 RP = Rs. 0.1875.
3. Fuel Surcharge Waiver:
   • 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000.
   • Max surcharge capped at Rs. 3,500 annually.
4. Railway Surcharge Waiver:
   • Provides railway surcharge on IRCTC website or at Railway booking counters.
   • 1.8% – 2.5% waiver on railway ticket bookings.
   • Max surcharge capped at Rs. 500 per year.
5. Welcome Benefits:
   • Not Applicable.
6. Milestone Benefit:
   • 10,000 Reward Points for spends of Rs. 4 Lakhs.
   • 30,000 Reward Points for spends of Rs. 8 Lakhs or more.
7. Lounge Access:
   • 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses in a year.
8. International Lounge Access:
   • Not Applicable.
9. Fees:
   • Joining Fee: NIL.
   • Renewal Fee: Rs. 999 + Taxes (waivable on spending Rs. 1 Lakh or more).
10. Eligibility:
    • Resident of India.
    • Salaried or self-employed individuals aged 21 to 65.
    • Annual income of Rs. 24 Lakhs or more.

Kotak White Credit Card:

1. Reward Rate:
   • 4 RP for every Rs. 150 spent on selected categories.
   • Rewards credited as White Pass Value.
   • White Pass Value earned after exceeding Rs. 2 Lakhs in spends.
2. Reward Redemption:
   • Redeemable against products and vouchers on Kotak Rewards Website.
   • 1 RP = Rs. 0.1875.
3. Fuel Surcharge Waiver:
   • 1% on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000.
   • Max surcharge capped at Rs. 3,500 annually.
4. Railway Surcharge Waiver:
   • Provides railway surcharge on IRCTC website or at Railway booking counters.
   • 1.8% – 2.5% waiver on railway ticket bookings.
   • Max surcharge capped at Rs. 500 per year.
5. Welcome Benefits:
   • Gift voucher worth Rs. 1,500 on spending Rs. 30,000 within the first 60 days.
6. Lounge Access:
   • 8 complimentary domestic visits in a year (limited to 2 per quarter).
   • 4 complimentary international visits in a year.
7. Fees:
   • Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000 + Taxes.
   • Renewal Fee: Rs. 3,000 + Taxes (waivable on spending Rs. 5 Lakhs or more).
8. Eligibility:
   • Resident of India.
   • Individuals between the ages of 28 and 65, whether employed on a salary basis or self-employed.
   • Annual income of Rs. 25 Lakhs or more.
   • Issued at selected locations in India.

Which credit card suits you best?

• Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card Highlights:
  • Generic reward points on all expenditures.
  • Accelerated reward points for specific spending categories.
  • Attractive milestone benefits for cardholders.
• Travel Benefits:
  • Complimentary access to domestic airport lounges through the Visa Lounge Program.
  • Railway surcharge waiver on ticket bookings.
  • Fuel surcharge waiver for savings on fuel transactions.
• Kotak White Credit Card Features:
  • Semi-premium card with a unique rewarding system.
  • White Pass Value rewards based on credit card spending.
  • Benefits of traveling encompass Priority Pass Membership along with the privilege of accessing airport lounges both domestically and internationally.
• Consideration for Kotak White Credit Card:
  • To unlock the perks of the White Pass Value program, you need to spend more than Rs. 2 Lakhs annually.
• Decision Making:
  • Cardholders must thoroughly assess the advantages offered by each card without any repetition.
  • Analyze personal needs, demands, and spending patterns before selecting a card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What sets apart the Kotak Royale Signature Credit Card from the Kotak White Credit Card?

• A1: The primary distinction rests in the reward setups, charges, perks, and qualifications. The Royale Signature card boasts distinct reward rates, whereas the White card offers extra advantages such as welcome vouchers alongside higher renewal fees.

Q2: What is the method for accruing reward points with these credit cards?

• A2: The Royale Signature card lets you earn 2 Reward Points (RP) for every Rs. 150 you spend, along with 4 RP for specific categories. Similarly, the White card also grants 4 RP for chosen categories. Both cards accumulate rewards under the White Pass Value system.

Q3: Can you explain the fuel surcharge waiver on both cards?

• A3: Each card provides a 1% waiver on fuel surcharges for transactions falling between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, capped annually at Rs. 3,500.

Q4: What are the lounge access benefits on these credit cards?

• A4: The Royale Signature card includes 2 free entries to domestic lounges, while the White card grants 8 domestic visits annually along with 4 international visits.

Q5: What are the steps I need to take to utilize the reward points accumulated from these cards?

• A5: Each card permits the redemption of points for various products and vouchers accessible through the Kotak Rewards Website, where the conversion rate stands at 1 Reward Point equaling Rs. 0.1875.

Q6: Are there any initial fees required when applying for these credit cards?

• A6: The Royale Signature card has no joining fee, whereas the White card requires a joining fee of Rs. 3,000 + Taxes.

Q7: What unique advantages do these credit cards provide as significant milestones in terms of benefits?

• A7: The Royale Signature card rewards you with 10,000 Reward Points when you spend Rs. 4 Lakhs and 30,000 Reward Points for spends exceeding Rs. 8 Lakhs. Meanwhile, the White card doesn’t include any milestone benefits.

Q8: Are there any fees for renewal, and is there a way to avoid paying them?

• A8: The Royale Signature card asks for a renewal fee of Rs. 999 along with taxes. However, this fee can be avoided if you make purchases worth Rs. 1 Lakh or above in the previous year. Conversely, the White card entails a renewal fee of Rs. 3,000 plus taxes, but this fee can be waived if your expenditures reach Rs. 5 Lakhs or more.

Q9: What are the eligibility criteria for obtaining these credit cards?

• A9: Both cards require the applicant to be a resident of India, with the Royale Signature card issued to individuals aged 21 to 65 and an annual income of Rs. 24 Lakhs or more. The White card is issued to those aged 28 to 65 with an annual income of Rs. 25 Lakhs or more, available only at specific locations in India.

Q10: Are there any advantages or perks that come with these credit cards upon signing up?

• A10: The Royale Signature card does not offer welcome benefits, while the White card provides a gift voucher worth Rs. 1,500 on spending Rs. 30,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance.