Priority Pass
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Zen Signature
The Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card is a shopping and rewards credit card issued by Kotak Mahindra Bank. With an annual fee of Rs.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 7 June 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹1,500
Joining Fee
₹1,500
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹1,50,000 annually
Lounge Access
See details
Forex Markup
3.5%
Effective Yield
0.83% – 3.13%
Our Take
CreditGully Rating
Based on CreditGully editors' analysis. Not influenced by card issuers.
The Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card is a shopping and rewards credit card issued by Kotak Mahindra Bank. With an annual fee of Rs. 1,500, it focuses primarily on providing accelerated reward points for lifestyle retail expenditures. The card structure allows users to earn higher value-back when shopping at departmental stores or spending on apparel, jewellery, and lifestyle items, while also offering basic benefits for other categories of spending.
In addition to its shopping rewards program, the card features travel conveniences. Cardholders receive access to both domestic and international airport lounges under the Dream Folks and Priority Pass programs, alongside surcharge waivers on fuel purchases and railway bookings. It also provides a milestone program that rewards high spenders with up to 15,000 bonus points annually, and offers an easily attainable spend-based waiver to eliminate the annual fee.
This card is best suited for individuals who regularly spend on apparel, jewellery, and departmental stores and want to maximize rewards on these purchases. It is also a good fit for moderate travelers who can benefit from complimentary lounge access and are capable of meeting the low Rs. 1.5 lakh annual spend requirement to waive the yearly fee.
What We Like
We like that the Kotak Zen Signature Credit Card offers up to 10 reward points per Rs. 150 on key shopping categories and provides up to 11 complimentary domestic and international airport lounge visits per year. Additionally, the low annual retail spend requirement of Rs. 1.5 lakh makes it highly accessible to waive the annual fee.
Pros
- ✓Earn up to 10 reward points for every Rs. 150 spent on the card.
- ✓Get complimentary access to airport lounges across the world.
- ✓Receive up to 15,000 bonus reward points as milestone benefits every year.
- ✓Waive your annual fee easily with a low spending requirement.
Cons
- ✗No major lifestyle advantages are provided outside of the rewards program.
- ✗There is a monthly limit on how many reward points you can earn.
Get This Card If
- ✓You are looking for a rewards credit card with a low spending condition for fee waiver
- ✓You are okay with the limited benefits, besides rewards, on lifestyle-related spending categories
- ✓You can maximise your savings by availing of the milestone bonus by meeting the spend-based condition without overspending
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| KayMall Spends (Accelerated) | 15 Zen Points per ₹150 | 2.00% | 6,500 RP per billing cycle (Overall) |
| Shopping (Apparel, Jewellery, Dept Stores) | 10 Zen Points per ₹150 | 1.33% | 6,500 RP per billing cycle (Overall) |
| Other Retail Spends | 5 Zen Points per ₹150 | 0.66% | 6,500 RP per billing cycle (Overall) |
| Excluded Categories | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹3 Lakh | Bonus Points7,500 pts | ₹1,500 Value | 7,500 Bonus Zen Points awarded upon reaching ₹3 Lakhs annual spend. |
| ₹6 Lakh | Bonus Points15,000 pts | ₹3,000 Value | Awarded at ₹6L mark (replaces the 7.5k milestone; non-cumulative). |
| ₹1.5 Lakh | Fee Waiver | ₹1,500 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived if retail spends exceed ₹1.5 Lakhs in the previous year. |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Kotak Rewards (Vouchers/Travel) | ₹0.20 per point5:1 Ratio | Flexible (300-500 point minimum; ₹99 + GST fee applies) |
| Statement Credit (Cashback) | ₹0.20 per point5:1 Ratio | Best for pure value (Subject to Kotak's standard blocks) |
What You Need to Know
2025 Value Devaluation
Point value was reduced from ₹0.25 to ₹0.20 effective June 1, 2025.
Impact: Effectively a 20% cut in your reward earnings across all categories.
Lounge Spend Trigger
Domestic lounge access requires a spend of ₹75,000 in the previous calendar quarter.
Impact: Low spenders or those using the card only for 'shopping' may lose access.
Low Monthly Accrual Cap
Total rewards capped at 6,500 points (~₹1,300 value) per billing cycle.
Impact: High spenders (>₹1 Lakh in a month) will stop earning points quickly.
Utility & Education Fees
1% fee on Utility (>₹50k/cycle) and Education payments via third-party apps.
Impact: Negates the reward earnings, making this card poor for high-value bills.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, Rent, Cash advances, and Wallet loading transactions do not earn Zen Points.
Welcome Offer
Welcome Zen Points
1,500 Zen Points credited on payment of the joining fee.
Lounge Access
Priority PassDomestic Lounge Access
8 complimentary visits per year to select lounges in India (capped at 2 per quarter and applicable at quarterly spends of ₹75,000 or more).
International Lounge Access
3 complimentary access per calendar year to Priority Pass International Lounges outside India.
Milestone Benefits
Spend Milestones
Earn 7,500 Zen Points on annual spends of ₹3,00,000 or spend ₹6,00,000/- and get 15000 points.
Annual Fee Waiver
Get an annual fee waiver on retail spends of ₹1,50,000 or more.
Additional Features
None
None
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹1,500 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹1,500 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹1,50,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹100 per redemption |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Salaried
Age: Min 21 years & Max 60 years
Income
Must have a steady, verifiable income.
Ready to apply for Zen Signature?
Annual fee: ₹1,500 · Waived on ₹1,50,000 spend
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fee
₹1,500
0.83% – 3.13% yield