IndusInd Visa Platinum Credit Card vs Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: both charge a 3.5% forex markup.
| Key facts | IndusInd | Kotak Royale |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | Not listed | ₹999 |
| Joining fee | None | None |
| Annual fee waived | Not listed | On ₹1 lakh annual spend |
| Lounge access | Not listed | 2 airport lounge visits a quarter |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 23 Oct 2026. Rewards, milestones and welcome benefits are in the full table below.
The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card and the Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card both offer Visa network benefits but cater to different user preferences. Indusind's card provides a no joining fee and a variety of reward points on everyday spends including education and utility payments, along with welcome vouchers. Kotak's card focuses more on travel and dining rewards, offers lounge access, and includes milestone benefits but has an annual fee with waiver conditions.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
Last updated:
| Feature | Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card | Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | IndusInd Bank | Kotak Mahindra Bank |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee - Nil | Joining Fees - Nil |
| Annual / renewal fee | — | Annual Fee of Rs.999 |
| Annual fee waiver | — | Second Year Fee Waived Upon Spending Rs.1 Lakhs |
| Reward rate (headline) | Earn 1.5 Rewards Points For Every Rs.150 | Earn 2 Reward Points on Every Rs.150 |
| Lounge — domestic | — | Enjoy 2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter |
| Welcome benefit | Enjoy Complimentary Night Gift Voucher at The Postcard | — |
| Milestone benefit | — | Earn 10000 Rewards Points on Spend of Rs.4 Lakhs; Earn 30000 Rewards Points on Spend of Rs.8 Lakhs |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
When comparing rewards, the Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card stands out with a higher base earn rate of 2 reward points per Rs.150 spent and accelerated 4 points per Rs.150 on travel, hotels, airlines, and dining categories. It also offers milestone rewards, which can add significant value for high spenders. The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card offers 1.5 points per Rs.150 on general spends and 0.7 points on specific categories like education and utilities but lacks milestone rewards. Overall, Kotak's card is better suited for those seeking higher and category-focused rewards.
Which is better for travel?
For travel benefits, the Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card is superior as it provides 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter and enhanced reward points on travel-related spends. The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card does not offer any lounge access benefits and has a lower reward rate on travel spends. Both cards have the same forex markup fee of 3.5%, so Kotak's card offers better travel perks overall.
Which has lower effective cost?
The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card has no joining fee and no clearly stated renewal fee or waiver conditions, making it straightforward and cost-effective for beginners or low spenders. The Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card has no joining fee but charges an annual fee of Rs.999, which is waived only if the cardholder spends Rs.1 lakh in the year. This makes Kotak's card potentially more expensive unless the spending threshold is met. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver but Kotak's waiver applies only for transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5000, while Indusind's waiver is across all petrol pumps.
Fee Waiver Complexity
The Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs.999 which is waived only if the cardholder spends Rs.1 lakh in the year, introducing a spending condition to avoid fees. The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card does not specify any renewal fee or waiver condition, making it simpler in terms of fee management.
Reward Redemption Options
Indusind cardholders can redeem points for Intermiles, cash credit, or product redemption with clear point values, while Kotak card offers redemption against products, gift vouchers, and travel bookings. Both provide flexible redemption but the Indusind card details specific conversion rates.
Who should pick Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card?
Consider Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card if you prefer a no joining fee card with simple fee structure and want to earn rewards on a broad range of everyday spends like education, government payments, and utilities. It is also suitable if you value welcome vouchers and want a fuel surcharge waiver without complex conditions.
Who should pick Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card?
Consider Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler or diner looking for higher reward points on travel and dining spends, complimentary domestic lounge access, and milestone rewards that boost your earnings with increased spending. It suits those willing to pay an annual fee that can be waived with sufficient yearly spend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, both the Indusind Visa Platinum and Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions.
The Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card offers 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per quarter. The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card does not provide any lounge access benefits.
The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card has no joining fee and no clearly stated renewal fee. The Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs.999, which is waived if you spend Rs.1 lakh in the year.
The Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card offers 4 reward points per Rs.150 spent on travel, airlines, hotels, and restaurants, which is higher than the Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card's 1.5 points per Rs.150 on general spends and lower points on specific categories.
Only the Kotak Royale Visa Signature Credit Card offers milestone rewards, giving 10,000 points on Rs.4 lakhs spend and 30,000 points on Rs.8 lakhs spend annually. The Indusind Visa Platinum Credit Card does not have milestone benefits.
Yes, both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. Indusind's waiver applies across all petrol pumps, while Kotak's waiver is applicable only for transactions between Rs.400 and Rs.5000.