Kotak Mahindra Bank offers the Kotak Air+ Credit Card and the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card; both cards are suitable for people who travel often and want to earn rewards on their spending. Since both cards come from the same bank and focus on travel benefits, they share some similarities. For example, cardholders can earn reward points on their purchases and enjoy airport lounge access, making travel more comfortable. However, each card has its own style of rewards and is suited for different types of travellers.
The Kotak Air+ Credit Card is a travel-focused card that lets you earn Air Miles on eligible spends. You can earn Miles every time you spend on flight and hotel bookings. It also offers Air Miles as a welcome benefit and complimentary domestic as well as international lounge visits, which can make your journeys smoother. Another advantage is that these Air Miles can be transferred to airline and hotel partners for bookings.
On the other hand, the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card is an airline co-branded card created in partnership with IndiGo, making it ideal for people who frequently fly with this airline. Cardholders can earn accelerated BluChips on IndiGo flight bookings, up to 21 BluChips per ₹100 spent, along with extra rewards on dining, entertainment, and other spends. The card also provides complimentary domestic lounge access and renewal benefits like BluChip vouchers.
Both cards help you earn travel rewards and improve your flying experience, but the difference lies in flexibility. The Kotak Air+ Credit Card is better for travellers who want miles that can be used across multiple airlines and hotels, while the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card is more suitable for loyal IndiGo flyers who want airline-specific benefits.
Fee Structure
When purchasing a credit card, the first things applicants usually look for are the fees and the benefits the card offers. Both the Kotak Air+ Credit Card and the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card have the same joining and annual fees, making their cost structure quite similar. However, what truly sets them apart are the welcome benefits they provide. The table below highlights these differences.
| Particulars | Kotak Air+ Credit Card | IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card |
| Joining/Renewal Fee | ₹3,000 + GST | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Welcome Benefits | 2,500 Air Miles | Voucher of 4,000 IndiGo BluChips and 6E Eats |
Air Miles Vs IndiGo BluChips Rewards
With Kotak Air+ You will earn 5 Air Miles per ₹100 on flight and hotel bookings through Kotak Unbox, with a monthly cap of 15,000 Air Miles per statement cycle and 2 Air Miles per ₹100 on most other purchases. Air Miles are valid for 3 years, giving you plenty of time to use them for travel.
With the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card You can earn up to 21 BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo flight bookings. You will also get 3 BluChips per ₹100 on dining and entertainment, and 2 BluChips per ₹100 on other eligible spends. The only drawback is that BluChips have a changing value, so how much they are worth can vary based on how you use them.
You can use Air Miles to book flights and hotels through Kotak Unbox. Each Air Mile is worth ₹1. You can also transfer your Air Miles to selected hotel or airline partners, but the transfer rate is 2:1. To start a transfer to any partner, you need a minimum of 1,000 Kotak Air+ Credit Card Air Miles.
Free Airport Lounge Access
When comparing free airport lounge access, the Kotak Air+ Credit Card offers more well-rounded benefits than the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card. Kotak Air+ provides 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (up to 2 per quarter) along with 2 free international lounge visits annually, making it a great option for both domestic and international travellers.
On the other hand, the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card mainly focuses on domestic travel by offering two complimentary lounge visits at select airports, but does not provide international lounge access. Overall, if you want wider lounge access and occasionally travel abroad, Kotak Air+ is the better choice, whereas IndiGo Kotak XL is more suitable for those who mostly fly within India.
Which Card Offers the Lowest Forex Charge?
Kotak Air+ Credit Card has a lower foreign currency markup of 2%, whereas the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card charges a higher markup of 3.5% on international transactions. This means the Air+ card is more cost-effective for spending in foreign currencies. For example, on an overseas spend of ₹1Lakh, you would pay about ₹2,000 in forex fees with Kotak Air+, compared to roughly ₹3,500 with the IndiGo Kotak XL. Therefore, if minimizing forex charges is your main priority, Kotak Air+ is the better choice.
Bottom Line
Both the Kotak Air+ Credit Card and the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card are good choices for people who travel often, but they are designed for slightly different types of users. The right card depends on how you usually travel and what kind of rewards you prefer.
The Kotak Air+ Credit Card is a better all-around travel card. It offers flexible Air Miles that can be used across multiple airlines and hotel partners, making it suitable for travellers who do not want to be tied to a single airline. The reward value is simple to understand, international lounge access adds extra comfort for overseas trips, and the lower forex markup helps you save money when spending abroad. It works well for both domestic and international travellers who want convenience and predictable benefits.
The IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card, on the other hand, is ideal for people who frequently fly with IndiGo. It allows you to earn higher rewards on IndiGo bookings and provides benefits that directly enhance your experience with the airline. However, the rewards are airline-specific, the value of BluChips can vary, and the higher forex fee may not be suitable for those who travel internationally often.
In conclusion, the Kotak Air+ Credit Card is the better choice for most travellers because of its flexibility, broader travel benefits, and lower foreign transaction costs. However, if IndiGo is your preferred airline and you fly with them regularly, the IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card can offer greater value for your specific travel needs.