Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spend, the Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ wins due to higher rewards on grocery and dining.
  • For travel or lounges, both offer 4 domestic lounge visits per year with a Rs 50,000 quarterly spend gate, but neither provides international lounge access.
  • The Yes Bank Rupay Credit Card is cheaper to hold with no joining or annual fees, unlike the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ which charges Rs 499 for both.
  • Choose Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ if you want a simple first card with decent online and grocery rewards; opt for Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ if you seek no-fee longevity and better category rewards on grocery and dining.

Side by Side

DetailTata Neu Plus HDFC Credit CardⓘYes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ
Annual feeRs 499Nil (lifetime free)
Joining feeRs 499Nil (lifetime free)
Fee waiver on spendRs 1.00 lakhRs 75,000
Reward rate1% base1% base
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic lounge4 per year4 per year
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited forupi-rupay, shopping, first-card, grocery, loungeupi-rupay, rewards, grocery, first-card, shopping

Rewards Compared

Spending Rs 10,000 on the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ yields Rs 100 back at the base rate of 1%. However, this card offers a 2% reward rate on online and grocery spends, meaning Rs 200 back on Rs 10,000 spent in these categories, and 1% on UPI transactions. This makes it a decent choice for shoppers focusing on online and grocery categories.

The Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ also gives Rs 100 back at the base rate of 1% on general spends. Its standout feature is a 3% reward rate in grocery and dining categories, translating to Rs 300 back on Rs 10,000 spent, which is significantly higher than Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ. For UPI payments, it matches Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ with a 1% reward rate. This card suits users who spend heavily on groceries and dining.

Fees Compared

The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ charges Rs 499 each for joining and annual fees. These fees are waived if you spend Rs 1.00 lakh annually, equating to about Rs 8,333 per month. The break-even point to cover the annual fee at the base reward rate is Rs 49,900 spend, meaning you need to spend nearly Rs 50,000 annually just to offset the fee with rewards.

Conversely, the Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ has no joining or annual fees, making it free for life. It also has a fee waiver threshold of Rs 75,000 annually, or Rs 6,250 monthly, but since there are no fees to waive, this is mostly irrelevant. This makes the Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ a cost-effective option for those wary of fees.

Which One Should You Pick

Choose the Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ if you are a first-time credit card user looking for a simple card with decent rewards on online and grocery spends, and if you can comfortably meet the Rs 8,333 monthly spend to avoid the annual fee. It also suits those who want a few domestic lounge visits.

Pick the Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ if you prefer a no-fee credit card that rewards grocery and dining spends generously at 3%, and want to avoid the hassle of fee waivers altogether. It is ideal for regular spenders who want better category returns without an annual fee burden.

In conclusion, the Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ is the better everyday card for most users due to its higher category rewards and zero fees. The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ may appeal to those prioritizing online rewards or who can meet the higher waiver spend.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Verify the quarterly Rs 50,000 spend requirement to access domestic lounges to ensure you can meet it.
  • Understand the redemption terms for points, especially since both cards use points rather than cashback.
  • Confirm the monthly fee waiver spend thresholds, Rs 8,333 for Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ and Rs 6,250 for Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ.
  • Consider the 3.5% forex markup on foreign spends, which is standard but costly for international travel.

FAQ

What reward categories do these cards focus on?+
The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ rewards online and grocery spends at 2%, and UPI transactions at 1%. The Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ offers 3% rewards on grocery and dining, and 1% on UPI transactions.
Are there any fees for joining or annual renewal?+
The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ charges Rs 499 for both joining and annual fees, waived on Rs 1.00 lakh annual spend. The Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ is free for life with no joining or annual fees.
Do the cards offer any lounge access?+
Both cards provide 4 domestic lounge visits per year, subject to a Rs 50,000 spend per quarter. Neither card offers international lounge access.
What is the forex markup fee?+
Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, which can add significant cost to international spends.
Is there a welcome benefit on these cards?+
The Tata Neu Plus HDFC Credit Cardⓘ offers 499 NeuCoins as a welcome benefit. The Yes Bank Rupay Credit Cardⓘ provides activation reward points, though the exact value is not specified.