Best Credit Cards for UPI Payments in India (2026) — RuPay Credit on UPI
RuPay credit cards can now be linked to UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm — letting you earn credit card rewards on everyday UPI payments.
How Credit Card on UPI Works
Since 2023, RuPay credit cards can be linked to UPI apps. When you pay via UPI using your credit card, the payment is charged to your credit card instead of your bank account. This means you earn reward points/cashback on payments that previously earned nothing (grocery stores, street vendors, auto-rickshaws). Only RuPay network cards support this — Visa and Mastercard credit cards cannot be linked to UPI yet.
Best RuPay Credit Cards for UPI
Top options include: HDFC RuPay credit cards (earn regular reward points on UPI), SBI RuPay cards, AU Small Finance Bank LIT (customisable reward categories work on UPI too), IDFC First Bank RuPay cards, and Bob Financial RuPay cards. Check if your existing card is on the RuPay network — if so, you can start using it on UPI immediately.
How to Link Your Credit Card to UPI
Open your UPI app (Google Pay, PhonePe, BHIM) → Go to Bank Accounts or Payment Methods → Select "Link New Account" or "Credit Card" → Choose your card-issuing bank → Enter your RuPay credit card number → Verify with OTP. Once linked, select the credit card as your payment source before making a UPI payment.
Rewards and Limits
Rewards on UPI payments vary by card — some offer full rewards, others cap or exclude UPI transactions. Most banks set a daily/monthly UPI limit (typically ₹1 lakh/transaction). High-value UPI payments like rent or large purchases work well. Small daily payments (chai, grocery, auto) collectively add up to meaningful rewards over a month.
Watch Out For
Not all RuPay credit card transactions via UPI earn rewards — check with your bank. The MDR (merchant discount rate) on UPI credit card payments is 0.5–0.8% which merchants may not always accept for large amounts. Also, UPI payments still count towards your credit card statement and need to be paid in full to avoid interest charges.