Kotak White Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Kotak White Credit Card

Introduction

The Kotak White Credit Card is an exclusive, premium offering from Kotak Mahindra Bank, designed to provide cardmembers with a life of luxury and unprecedented access to premium brands. It features a unique White Pass rewards program that simplifies earning benefits through spend-based milestones rather than traditional points, ensuring transparency, elegance, and simplicity in its reward structure. This card is a refined version, offering a suite of high-value benefits including complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, making it a new and distinctive credit card experience.

Welcome Benefits

• Earn a White Pass value of ₹1,500 on spending ₹30,000 within 60 days from card setup. This benefit is subject to the payment of the joining fee.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹3,000 + GST
• Annual Fees: ₹3,000 + GST
• Spend-Based Waiver: The annual fee is waived on annual retail spends of ₹5 lakhs in the preceding year.
• Add-on Card Fees: Nil
• Interest Charges on Outstanding Balances: 3.5% per month (Annualized 42.0%)
• Minimum Amount Due (MAD): Effective 1st June 2025, MAD is calculated as 1% of all purchase transactions & cash advances & 100% of EMI, Finance Charges, Fees/Charges & Tax, as applicable, subject to a minimum of ₹100 or up to the Total Amount Due (TAD), whichever is lower.
• ATM Cash Withdrawal/Call a Draft/Fund Transfer/Cash Advance: 2.5% on the advance amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500. W.e.f. 1st June 2025, the maximum fee is ₹5,000.
• Late Payment Charges (LPC):
  • Due as per last statement <₹100: ₹0
  • Due as per last statement ₹100 - ₹500: ₹100
  • Due as per last statement ₹501 - ₹5,000: ₹500
  • Due as per last statement ₹5,001 - ₹10,000: ₹600
  • Due as per last statement ₹10,001 - ₹25,000: ₹800
  • Due as per last statement ₹25,001 - ₹50,000: ₹1,000
  • Due as per last statement >₹50,000: ₹1,200
• Over Limit Charges: ₹500
• Cheque Bounce Charges: 2% of bounce amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500
• Standing Instruction Failure / Auto-debit Return Fee: 2.0% on bounce amount, subject to a minimum of ₹450
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% + GST
• Railway Booking Surcharge: Waived, maximum waiver of ₹500 in a year (1.8%/2.5% on transaction amount).
• Fuel Surcharge: Waived on transactions between ₹500 and ₹7,500 with a maximum waiver of up to ₹3,500 per calendar year (1% on transaction).
• Fee for Cash Payment at Bank: ₹100
• Outstation Cheque Processing Fee: Waived
• Reissue/Replacement Card (per issuance): ₹100
• Charge Slip Request: Waived
• Machine Surcharge at ATMs: Waived
• Balance Enquiry Charges at Non-Parent Bank ATM: Waived
• Duplicate Statement Request: Waived
• Furnishing a Copy of Credit Information: ₹50
• Web Pay Service Fee: Waived
• Rent Payments: Effective 1st June 2025, 2% of the Transaction Amount + GST will be levied for all transactions done on MCC 6513.
• Programme Linked Fee Waiver: Waiver of fees for Credit Cards linked to programs (like Privy League Black/Platinum/Neon, Private Banking, Corporate Salary programme) is subject to maintaining eligibility of the respective programme. If eligibility is not met or if the customer is degraded, joining/annual fees will be required.
• GST: Applicable taxes would be charged as per the rates approved in the Finance Act each year on all interest & fees and other charges.

Rewards

• White Pass Milestone Rewards:
  • The card offers a unique White Pass value system instead of traditional reward points, designed for transparency and simplicity.
  • Earn direct White Pass value upon achieving specific spend milestones (applicable on spends settled in a card anniversary year):
    • On cumulative spends of ₹2 lakh: Earn ₹2,000 White Pass value (Cumulative: ₹2,000)
    • On cumulative spends of ₹4 lakh: Earn ₹4,000 White Pass value (Cumulative: ₹6,000)
    • On cumulative spends of ₹6 lakh: Earn ₹6,000 White Pass value (Cumulative: ₹12,000)
    • On cumulative spends of ₹9 lakh: Earn ₹7,000 White Pass value (Cumulative: ₹19,000)
    • On cumulative spends of ₹12 lakh: Earn ₹8,000 White Pass value (Cumulative: ₹27,000)
  • A maximum White Pass value of ₹27,000 can be accumulated in a year.
• Luxury Redemptions: Redeem White Pass value against a curated collection of premium brands (e.g., Amazon, Taj Hotels, Hugo Boss, Nature’s Basket, Lakme) or for flights, hotels, philanthropy, and curated travel expeditions by National Geographic.
• Airport Lounge Access:
  • International Lounge Access:
    • Receive an annual Priority Pass membership worth $99.
    • Enjoy global VIP access to over 1300+ lounges across 148 countries with Priority Pass.
    • Get 4 complimentary international lounge visits annually, powered by Priority Pass.
    • After the complimentary visits are exhausted, a charge of USD 35 per visit will apply for the primary cardholder.
    • Guests accompanying the primary cardholder will be charged USD 35 per person per visit.
    • To enable visit validation, international transactions (Online & in-store/POS) must be activated using the Kotak Bank Mobile App or Net Banking. A one-time visit validation charge of $1.00 will be debited and auto-reversed to the card within 7 working days.
  • Domestic Lounge Access:
    • Receive 8 complimentary visits annually at select airport lounges across India (limited to 2 visits per quarter).
    • Complimentary visits are applicable only for the primary cardholder. Visits by add-on cardholders or guests will be chargeable.
• Surcharge Waivers:
  • Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Save 1% fuel surcharge across all petrol pumps in India. This is applicable on transactions between ₹500 and ₹7,500, with a maximum waiver of ₹3,500 in a calendar year.
  • Railway Surcharge Waiver: Save 1.8% to 2.5% on railway ticket bookings made on www.irctc.co.in or at railway booking counters. The maximum waiver allowed is ₹500 in a calendar year.
• EMI Conversion: Convert any purchase above ₹2,500 into easy EMI payments.
• Balance Transfer: Avail a 3-month, interest-free period when transferring outstanding credit card amounts from other banks to the Kotak White Credit Card. A processing fee of ₹349 + Service Tax per ₹10,000 is applicable.
• Add-On Card: Receive a complimentary add-on card for family members, with the flexibility to set spending limits as per individual needs.
• Insurance Benefits:
  • Lost Card Liability Cover: Provides protection against unauthorized use of the card worth ₹2.5 lakh. This cover is applicable from 7 days prior to reporting the loss of the card to the bank.
• Lifestyle & Entertainment Experiences:
  • Kotak Mahindra Bank presents Maroon5:
    • Enjoy a 48-hour exclusive pre-sale window to book tickets for the Maroon 5 concert scheduled for 3rd December 2024 in Mumbai.
    • Receive 15% off up to a maximum of ₹4,000 for Kotak White and Kotak White Reserve Credit Card customers only.
    • Tickets are exclusively available on BookMyShow.
  • Kotak White x Peppa Pig’s Adventure Live Theatrical, 2024:
    • Benefit from a 48-hour exclusive pre-sale window to book tickets.
    • Get 10% off up to ₹1,000, on a minimum ticket value of ₹3,500, for Kotak White & Kotak White Reserve Credit Card customers only.
    • For Mumbai shows, pre-sale and discount may not be applicable as tickets are already available on BookMyShow.

Rewards Redemption Guide

The White Pass value accumulated can be redeemed against a premium catalog of brands or for various travel and lifestyle experiences.

• White Pass Value Equivalents:
  • 1 White Pass = ₹1 when redeemed from the White Pass catalog.
  • 1 White Pass = ₹0.70 when redeemed for cashback.
• Redemption Options:
  • Shopping vouchers from popular luxury brands such as Amazon, Taj Hotels, Hugo Boss, Nature’s Basket, and Lakme. The list of participating brands is subject to change over time.
  • Flights and hotel bookings.
  • Philanthropy donations.
  • Curated travel expeditions by National Geographic.
• Steps to Redeem White Pass:
  • Login to the Kotak Mobile app.
  • Click on the Card Overview icon and enter your MPIN.
  • Scroll down to the section dedicated to reward points.
  • Click on ‘Claim now’, which will redirect you to the dedicated White Pass redemption portal.
  • Select your preferred redemption option (e.g., brand voucher, travel booking).
  • Upon successful completion of the redemption, you will receive a confirmation via email and SMS with the details of your redemption.
  • You will also be able to view a comprehensive history of all your redemptions in the "Redemption History" tab within the White Pass portal.
• White Pass Validity: White Pass balance remains valid for an additional 90 days after every card anniversary cycle. For example, if your card is booked on 1-June-2025, the White Pass value earned for the anniversary year from 1-June-2025 to 31-May-2026 can be claimed until 29-August-2026.
• Annual Reset: Every year on the anniversary date of the card, the accumulated White Pass value will be reset to zero.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Primary Credit Card Holder Age: The applicant for the primary card must be between 28 to 60 years of age.
• Add-on Card Holder Age: Add-on cardholders must be 18 years or above.
• Annual Income: The applicant must have an annual income of ₹25 lakh and above per annum.
• Location: The card is available only in select locations across India, which include Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi (including Gurgaon and Noida), Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai, and Pune.
• Programme Eligibility: Programme eligibility requirements may apply for Credit Cards linked to Kotak Bank and Group product propositions, such as Privy League Black / Privy League Platinum / Privy League Neon programme / Private Banking / Corporate Salary programme.
• Documents Required:
  • Identity Proof: Documents such as an Aadhaar card, Voter ID card, or Driving License for KYC (Know Your Customer) purposes.
  • Address Proof: Documents verifying your residential address.
  • Proof of Income: Salary slips for salaried applicants or Income Tax Returns (ITR) for self-employed applicants.

Card Review

The Kotak White Credit Card introduces an innovative milestone-based rewards system, the "White Pass," offering direct value rather than traditional reward points. While the annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST might seem high, the card delivers significant value, especially for high-spenders. With potential annual benefits of up to ₹64,390 (assuming ₹1 lakh monthly spends), including complimentary lounge access (8 domestic, 4 international), fuel and railway surcharge waivers, and exclusive brand vouchers, the card is best suited for individuals with an annual income of ₹25 lakh or above who can consistently meet the spend milestones to unlock the full White Pass value. This card is particularly appealing for those who prioritize luxury experiences, premium brand redemptions, and extensive travel benefits. Users should ensure their annual expenditure exceeds the ₹2 lakh White Pass activation threshold to maximize value from this premium offering.

Important Product Details

• Positive Highlights:
  • Unique White Pass rewards program offering direct value up to ₹27,000 annually on achieving spend milestones, with transparent redemption.
  • Attractive welcome benefit of ₹1,500 White Pass value on initial spending.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass membership (worth $99) and 4 international lounge visits annually.
  • Generous 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).
  • Significant surcharge waivers on fuel (up to ₹3,500/year) and railway transactions (up to ₹500/year).
  • Flexibility to convert purchases above ₹2,500 into easy EMIs.
  • Benefit from a 3-month interest-free balance transfer facility.
  • Offers a complimentary add-on card with customizable spending limits for family members.
  • Provides a substantial lost card liability cover of ₹2.5 lakh against unauthorized transactions.
  • Exclusive access and discounts on high-profile entertainment events like Maroon5 and Peppa Pig theatricals.
  • Equipped with Visa PayWave for fast, safe, and secure contactless payments.
• Negative Highlights:
  • The annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST might not be justified if the cardholder fails to meet the spend milestones for White Pass.
  • White Pass value resets annually and has a limited redemption validity of 90 days after the anniversary date.
  • International lounge access beyond the 4 complimentary visits, and all guest/add-on visits, are chargeable at USD 35 per visit.
  • Strict high-income eligibility criteria (₹25 lakh+ per annum) and limited geographical availability.
  • High Cash Advance Charges (2.5% on advance amount, min. ₹500, max ₹5,000 w.e.f. June 2025) and high interest rates (3.5% p.m.).
  • Rent payments will incur an additional fee of 2% + GST from June 2025.
  • Customers are restricted to holding only one active White or White Reserve Credit Card; White Pass will not be credited if multiple active cards are held.

Other Details

• Visa PayWave Feature:
  • The Kotak White Credit Card comes with Visa PayWave, offering a fast, safe, and secure way to make contactless payments.
  • You can pay for transactions up to ₹5,000 without needing to enter a PIN.
  • This feature is built with multiple layers of security to prevent fraudulent or unauthorized transactions.
  • The card never leaves your hand during a transaction, reducing the risk of loss or counterfeiting.
  • How it Works: Look for the Visa PayWave mark and contactless logo on the POS machine, verify the amount displayed, tap your credit card over the reader at close range over the logo, and a message along with four beeps will indicate a successful transaction.
  • Note: The requirement for PIN entry on the POS terminal is subject to country-specific regulations. In India, PIN input is not mandated for contactless transactions up to ₹5,000. For transactions exceeding ₹5,000, the card must be processed in Chip & PIN mode, and authentication with a PIN is mandatory.
• Customer Service:
  • For priority assistance related to your Kotak White Credit Card, you can SMS ‘KPRIVY’ to 5676788. Bank officials will typically get back to you within 30 minutes. This service is available from Monday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM, excluding the second and fourth Saturdays, and bank holidays.
  • To report the loss of your card, you can dial the 24x7 operational toll-free number: 1800 209 0000.
• How to Apply:
  • Online: You can apply for the Kotak White Credit Card online by visiting the card’s dedicated page on the Kotak Mahindra Bank website. Alternatively, you can fill out an online form, and bank officials will contact you to guide you through the application process.
  • Offline: You also have the option to apply offline by visiting your nearest Kotak Bank branch. Remember to carry all necessary documents, including identity/address proof and proof of income, to complete the physical application form.
• White Pass Validity Policy: Every year on the anniversary date of the card, the White Pass value will be reset to zero. However, any White Pass balance accumulated during the previous anniversary year will remain valid for an additional 90 days after the anniversary cycle.
• Product Updates: Please note that certain changes to product offerings for this credit card are effective from 1st June 2025.
• Maximum Card Holding: A customer can hold only one active Kotak White or Kotak White Reserve Credit Card. White Pass will not be credited if a customer holds multiple active White and/or White Reserve cards.