{"id":678,"date":"2026-08-26T11:51:09","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T11:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/?p=678"},"modified":"2026-08-26T11:51:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T11:51:11","slug":"using-credit-cards-for-upi-payments","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/using-credit-cards-for-upi-payments\/678","title":{"rendered":"Credit Cards for UPI Payments: How It Works & Best Cards"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Want to use your credit card to make UPI payments? You can, but there are a few things you need to know first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For now, credit cards can be linked to UPI only if they are eligible RuPay credit cards<\/strong>. And even after you link your card, you cannot pay at every UPI QR code<\/strong>. The merchant also needs to accept RuPay credit card payments through UPI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TL;DR<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Only eligible RuPay credit cards<\/strong> can be linked to UPI for credit card payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 You can add your card through supported UPI apps like Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm<\/strong> etc<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Your card will not work on every UPI QR code<\/strong>. The merchant also needs to accept RuPay credit card payments through UPI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 You can use the card for eligible merchant payments<\/strong>, but not to send money to friends or family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 Visa and Mastercard credit cards cannot currently be used for UPI payments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022 If you’re choosing a RuPay card for UPI, look at the reward rate, monthly cap, annual fee and your spending pattern<\/strong> before deciding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to add your credit card to UPI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The exact steps can vary depending on the UPI app, but the process is generally quite simple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Make sure you have an eligible RuPay credit card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

First, you need a RuPay credit card from a bank that supports linking the card to UPI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not every RuPay credit card is necessarily supported, so check whether your card is eligible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Open your UPI app<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Open the UPI app you normally use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Look for the option to add a credit card. Depending on the app, you may see something like “Add RuPay Credit Card”<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Select your bank<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choose the bank that issued your RuPay credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The app will then check for eligible cards linked to your mobile number.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Select your card<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Select the RuPay credit card you want to link and complete the verification process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. Set your UPI PIN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You will then need to set a UPI PIN for your credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once the process is complete, your RuPay credit card will be available as a payment option in the UPI app.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to pay using your credit card on UPI<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Once your card is linked, paying is quite similar to a normal UPI transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Scan the merchant’s UPI QR code and enter the amount.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you reach the payment screen, select your RuPay credit card<\/strong> instead of your bank account.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If the merchant accepts RuPay credit card payments through UPI, the transaction should go through after you enter your UPI PIN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The amount will then be charged to your credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But it doesn’t work on every UPI QR code<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is probably the most important thing to remember.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A UPI QR code does not automatically mean that you can pay it using a credit card.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UPI supports different payment sources, and merchants may not be enabled to accept credit card payments through UPI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you might scan a QR code and see your bank accounts as payment options, but your RuPay credit card may not be available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can happen because that particular merchant or transaction isn’t enabled for RuPay credit card on UPI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So there are effectively two things that need to be supported:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Your card needs to be eligible for UPI<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The merchant needs to accept RuPay credit card payments through UPI<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    If either one isn’t supported, you won’t be able to pay using the credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can you send money to friends using your credit card?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RuPay credit cards on UPI are meant for merchant payments<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can use your card to pay an eligible shop or business, but you cannot use it to send money to another person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Payment<\/th>RuPay Credit Card on UPI<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
    Pay an eligible merchant<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
    Pay an eligible merchant QR<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
    Pay any UPI QR code<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
    Send money to a friend<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
    Send money to family<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
    Transfer money to your bank account<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    What about Visa and Mastercard credit cards?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    You cannot currently link Visa or Mastercard credit cards to UPI for making UPI payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You may still be able to add these cards to certain payment apps for other purposes, such as card payments or Tap and Pay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But that is different from using the credit card as a UPI payment source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    For UPI payments, you need an eligible RuPay credit card<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Do you earn rewards on UPI payments?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    This depends on your credit card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Some credit cards offer rewards on eligible UPI transactions, while others may exclude UPI payments or have separate reward rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So if you’re planning to use your RuPay card regularly through UPI, check the reward terms of your specific card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Also remember that a transaction being made through UPI does not necessarily mean it will earn the same rewards as a regular card transaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Popular RuPay Credit Cards for UPI Spends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you’re getting a RuPay credit card specifically for UPI, the best card depends on how much you spend and whether you want to use it only for UPI or for your other expenses as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Best for Beginners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    a) IDFC Hello CashBack<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you’re new to credit cards and don’t have an established credit history, an FD backed credit card<\/strong> can be a good way to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The IDFC FIRST Bank card is backed by a fixed deposit, so you don’t necessarily need to qualify for a regular unsecured credit card. It can be a simple way to start using a credit card for UPI while also building your credit history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best for:<\/strong> Beginners who want a RuPay credit card and prefer an FD backed option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    2. Best for General Spending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    a) Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    b) Tata Neu Infinity SBI Credit Card<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    c) Yes Bank PoP Club Credit Card<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If UPI is only one part of your spending, it makes more sense to have a card that also works well for your regular expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tata Neu Infinity can be useful if you spend on Tata brands and also want to earn rewards on eligible UPI transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best for:<\/strong> Someone who wants one card for UPI as well as regular spending.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    3. Best for High UPI Spending<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    a) Kiwi RuPay Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If most of your spending happens through UPI, Kiwi is worth considering.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It is built around UPI spending, making it particularly interesting for people who use UPI frequently and want to maximise rewards from those transactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best for:<\/strong> People who want a card primarily focused on UPI rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    b) Axis Bank Magnus RuPay Credit Card<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Magnus RuPay is another option for high UPI spenders, particularly for those who are comfortable with a premium card and its associated annual fee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It offers a higher potential reward rate on eligible UPI spending, but the card’s fee and reward limits need to be considered before applying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Best for:<\/strong> High spenders who can justify a premium card and want to maximise their UPI rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Which one should you choose?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Don’t just look at the reward rate. Check the monthly reward cap, annual fee and the rewards you actually get on your spending pattern.<\/strong> A card with a lower reward rate can sometimes be better if its reward cap is higher and the annual fee is lower.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    You can use Great.cards<\/a><\/strong> to compare credit cards based on rewards, fees, benefits and spending categories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Just enter your spending details and preferences to see which cards could offer the most value for your spending pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Compare credit cards on Great.cards<\/a> and find a card that works for you.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n
    \n
    \n
    \n

    Can I add a Visa credit card to UPI?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    No. For credit card based UPI payments, you need an eligible RuPay credit card.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Can I add a Visa \/ Mastercard credit card to UPI?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    No. Mastercard credit cards cannot currently be linked to UPI for making UPI payments.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Can I pay any UPI QR code using my RuPay credit card?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    No. The merchant also needs to be enabled to accept RuPay credit card payments through UPI.
    A merchant accepting regular UPI payments does not automatically mean that it accepts credit card payments through UPI.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Why can’t I see my credit card after scanning a UPI QR code?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    The merchant or transaction may not support RuPay credit card payments through UPI.
    You may still be able to make the payment using your bank account, but your credit card may not appear as an option.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Can I send money to my friend using my RuPay credit card on UPI?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    No. RuPay credit cards on UPI are meant for eligible merchant payments and cannot be used for person to person transfers.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Do I need a separate UPI PIN for my credit card?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    Yes. You need to set a UPI PIN when linking your RuPay credit card.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Do UPI payments using a credit card earn rewards?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    It depends on the card. Some cards reward eligible UPI transactions, while others may exclude them or have different reward rates.
    Check your card’s terms before assuming you will earn rewards.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

    \n

    Which UPI apps support RuPay credit cards?<\/h3>\n
    \n\n

    Major UPI apps including Google Pay, PhonePe and Paytm support RuPay credit cards, although the exact banks and cards supported can vary between apps.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Using a credit card through UPI can be convenient, especially for smaller everyday purchases where you would normally use UPI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But there is an important distinction: linking your RuPay credit card to UPI doesn’t mean you can use it everywhere UPI is accepted.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your card needs to be eligible, your UPI app needs to support it, and the merchant also needs to accept RuPay credit card payments through UPI<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So the next time you scan a UPI QR code, don’t assume your credit card will work just because the merchant accepts UPI. If the credit card option isn’t available, you’ll have to use your bank account or another payment method.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Want to use your credit card to make UPI payments? You can, but there are a few things you need […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[94],"class_list":["post-678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-featured","tag-upi-spends"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=678"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":689,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/678\/revisions\/689"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/great.cards\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}