Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card
A lifetime-free card issued against a fixed deposit, suited to building credit while earning points on everyday spending. Spend-linked reward points and zero fee make it a low-risk first card for new-to-credit users.
Why it ranks
- Completely lifetime free
- Issued against a fixed deposit of ₹10,000 or more
- Good for building a credit history from scratch
- Low entry barrier
What holds it back
- Modest reward rate
- No lounge access, and a 4% forex markup
- Lower credit limits for new users
Advertiser disclosure: we may be paid if you apply through our links. Ratings are editorial. Confirm today's terms on the issuer's site — offers change.
A lifetime-free card issued against a fixed deposit, suited to building credit while earning points on everyday spending. Spend-linked reward points and zero fee make it a low-risk first card for new-to-credit users.
Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card at a glance
| Issuer | Kotak Mahindra Bank |
| Card network | Visa (Kotak's FAQ describes it as a VISA Platinum card) |
| Annual fee | No annual fee |
| Welcome bonus | No fixed welcome bonus; lifetime free card |
| Rewards rate | 2 points per ₹100 online, 1 per ₹100 on other spends; none on fuel or railways |
| Intro APR | N/A |
| Regular APR | Around 37.2% per annum (3.1% per month) |
| Foreign transaction fee | 4% markup on foreign currency transactions |
| Credit needed | Secured card: fixed deposit of at least ₹10,000 for 181 days |
| Best for | New-to-credit users who can place a fixed deposit and want a free card |
| Airport lounge access | No |
Rewards & benefits
- 2 reward points per ₹100 online and 1 per ₹100 on other spends; none on fuel or railways
- Credit limit of up to ₹16 lakh, linked to your fixed deposit
- Reward points redeemable against catalogue and vouchers
- Spend-based milestone reward points
- No joining or annual fee, ever
Eligibility & who it suits
- Indian resident aged 18 and above
- Basic credit eligibility; suitable for new-to-credit
- A fixed deposit of at least ₹10,000 for 181 days, which secures the card
- Valid PAN and KYC documents
How to apply
Check current rates on Kotak Mahindra Bank’s official site →
This opens the issuer’s official application page in a new tab. We may earn a commission if you are approved — it never changes the terms you receive.
Rates, fees, welcome offers and benefits are provided for general information, can change at any time, and may not reflect current terms. Always confirm the latest details on the issuer’s official site before applying. This is not financial advice.
How it ranks against similar India cards
| Rank | Card | Annual fee | Rewards | Welcome offer | Foreign fee | Who qualifies | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | KMKotak Mahindra BankKotak 811 #DreamDifferentNo annual fee · IN Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit CardNew-to-credit users who can place a fixed deposit and want a free card |
None | 2 points per ₹100 online, 1 per ₹100 on other spends; none on fuel or railways | No fixed welcome bonus; lifetime free card | 4% markup on foreign curre… | Secured card: fixed deposit of a… | |
| 2 | IFIDFC FIRST BankIDFC FIRST MillenniaNo annual fee · IN IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit CardLifetime free rewards on dining, travel and foreign spends with zero forex markup |
None | 10X Reward Points on dining, travel and international spends from the first tran… | ₹500 voucher on spending ₹5,000 within 30 days of activation… | Zero forex markup | See issuer for income and CIBIL… | |
| 3 | FTFPL Technologies, issued with partner banks (BOBCARD, CSB Bank, Federal Bank, SBM Bank, South Indian Bank, Indian Bank)One OneCardNo annual fee · IN One Credit Card (OneCard)Young earners who want a free metal card with app controls and low forex fees |
None | 1 reward point per ₹50 spent; 5X on your top 2 spend categories each month (mini… | See issuer for the current offer | 1% forex markup | Age 18 to 60; a credit score of… | |
| 4 | ASAU Small Finance BankAU LITNo annual fee · IN AU LIT Credit CardPeople who want a free card and will pay only for the benefits they use |
None | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 base (up to 10,000 points a cycle); optional paid featur… | See issuer for the current offer | See issuer | Resident Indian; salaried 21 to… |
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