The PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card is designed for people who do most of their spending online – whether it’s paying bills on PhonePe, shopping on Amazon and Flipkart, or using UPI for everyday purchases. It runs on the RuPay network and works seamlessly with UPI, giving you the convenience of Scan & Pay plus real cashback in the form of reward points. With benefits like 2% back on PhonePe spends, 1% on top online brands, it promises value for digital-first users. But how well does it hold up in day-to-day use? Let’s break it down.
Fees and Charges
| Fee/Charge | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹499 + GST ~₹589 |
| Welcome Benefit | Get ₹499 back as PhonePe Gift Cards. ₹249 after your first RuPay UPI transaction, and ₹250 in ₹25 increments on 10 more UPI transactions of ₹100 or more each. |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹499 + GST ~₹589 |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | Spend ₹1,00,000 in previous year |
| Finance Charges | Up to 3.6% per month (43.2% annually) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.5% + GST |
With the welcome benefits fully offsetting the joining fee, the PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card is effectively free in the first year. From the second year onwards, an annual spend of ₹1 Lakh is required to get the renewal fee waived.
Rewards
| Spend Category | Reward Rate | Monthly Cap |
|---|---|---|
| PhonePe (Recharges, Bills, Travel, Pincode via UPI) | 2% Reward Points ~2% value back | 500 Reward Points |
| Select Online Platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, Swiggy, etc.) – MCC Based | 1% Reward Points ~1% value back | 500 Reward Points |
| Scan & Pay via UPI (RuPay Credit Card) | 1% Reward Points ~1% value back | 500 Reward Points |
⛔ No rewards on: EMI payments, fuel purchases, wallet loads, gift card purchases, cash withdrawals, credit card bill payments, government services, rent payments, education fees, insurance, investments, and jewellery purchases.
How Much to Spend to Maximize Monthly Cashback?
To hit the reward caps on the PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card, here’s how much you need to spend each month:
- PhonePe categories (Recharges, Bills, Travel, Pincode via UPI): Spend ₹25,000 to earn the full 500 reward points
- Online platforms (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato, etc.): Spend ₹50,000 to earn the full 500 reward points
- Scan & Pay via UPI (RuPay Credit Card): Spend ₹50,000 to earn the full 500 reward points
👉 Maximum cashback possible per month: ₹1,500 (1 RP = ₹1 when redeemed as statement credit)
BoB Eterna
Lifetime FreeReward Points Redemption
Cashback is awarded as Reward Points, which can be redeemed at ₹1 = 1 RP against your statement balance (on request, minimum 500 points required). Alternatively, points can be used for flights, hotels, or the rewards catalogue on SmartBuy at a lower value of 30 paise per point. All unredeemed points expire after 1 year from the date of earning.
Kiwi RuPay Card
Lifetime FreeAirport Lounge Access Benefit
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Complimentary Lounge Access | None |
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
We get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions made using the PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card. This benefit is applicable on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5000, with a maximum waiver of ₹250 per statement cycle.
Pros and Cons of PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card
Pros
Cons
Should you get the PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card?
If you’re someone who already uses PhonePe, shops often on Amazon or Flipkart, and pays via UPI regularly, the PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno Credit Card fits into your lifestyle. The joining fee is essentially refunded as gift cards, so there’s no real downside in the first year. From year two, the ₹1L spend target is realistic for most users who put their monthly bills, shopping, and food delivery on a credit card. We need to spend approximately ₹8333 every month to hit the annual fee waiver spends. This is relatively easy if you spend in the accelerated reward categories. The rewards are real cashback that you can redeem for statement credit.
But if you are eligible for the higher variant PhonePe Ultimo credit card, then definitely go for it. It makes much more sense even with the 2X annual fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
PhonePe HDFC Bank Ultimo Credit Card