The YES BANK RESERV Credit Card is a premium card targeting affluent users in India who value online rewards, travel privileges, and a rich suite of lifestyle benefits.
Introduction
YES BANK RESERV Credit Card (rebranded from YES FIRST Exclusive) stands out in the competitive Indian premium credit card market, offering significant advantages for heavy online spenders and frequent travelers[6][3]. Its blend of reward rates, fee waiver structures, travel perks, and insurance benefits makes it one of the most attractive cards in its segment.
Fees, Charges & Waivers
- Joining Fee: ₹1,999 – ₹2,499 + GST, waived if you spend ₹40,000 within 30 days of issuance (excludes rent/wallet spends).
- Annual Fee: ₹1,999 – ₹2,499 + GST, waived if annual spends exceed ₹3 lakh (excluding rent/wallet spends); otherwise, renewal triggers a bonus of 8,000 points.
- Add-on/Spouse Card: Available, subject to application.
- Interest Rate: 3.8% per month on outstanding balances.
- Foreign Currency Markup: 1.75% + taxes, one of the lowest rates among Indian premium cards.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver for transactions between ₹400–₹5,000 (up to ₹1,000 per statement cycle).
- Rewards Redemption Fee: ₹100 + GST per redemption.
- Rental/Wallet Charges: Minimum 0.75–1% transaction value or ₹1, whichever is higher, on all rental & wallet transactions above ₹1.
- Utility Payments: 1% + GST on spends above ₹15,000 per month (max benefit: ₹3,000/month).
- Cash Advance: 2.5% or ₹500, whichever is higher.
- Late Payment Fees: Tiered as per outstanding statement balance.
Rewards Program
- Online Shopping: Earn 24 YES Rewardz points per ₹200 spent on select online shopping (Amazon, Flipkart, travel portals, etc.).
- Offline Spends: 12 YES Rewardz points per ₹200 spent offline.
- Select Categories: 6 YES Rewardz points per ₹200 spent on insurance, government payments, education, wallet loads.
- Maximum Points: Up to 36,000 reward points per statement cycle.
- Points Value: Points can be redeemed for flights, hotels, merchandise, and partner air miles. Typically, 10 points = 1 InterMile or 1 Club Vistara point.
- Redemption Validity: Points valid for 3 years from accumulation date.
- Restrictions: No reward points awarded for fuel, cash withdrawals, rental/wallet payments, and EMI-converted transactions.
- Reward Rate: Default reward rate is 1.5–3% for online spending, highest in premium card categories.
Subscription Plans (Accelerators)
- For extra fees, users can enroll in special plans: e.g., ₹3,500 + GST for 3x rewards (potentially 9% reward rate on online spends), ₹5,000 + GST for 5x rewards on travel, dining, fashion, and healthcare
Travel and Lifestyle Benefits
- Airport Lounge Access: Enjoy 12 domestic (Priority Pass, Mastercard, Visa) and 6 international lounge visits each year. In some cases, unlimited access is granted (dependent on program/scheme)
- Golf Program: Four green fee waivers and one complimentary golf lesson per year at select Indian golf courses
- Dining Benefits: 15% discount at select restaurants (Dineout, EazyDiner partners
- Movie Offers: BOGO and cashback offers on movie and event bookings (Zomato, BookMyShow partners, as available)
Insurance and Protection
- Air Accident Cover: Up to ₹3 Crore.
- Medical Emergency Cover: ₹50 lakh worldwide medical coverage while traveling.
- Credit Shield Cover: ₹15 lakh coverage on card balance in case of accidental death.
- Purchase Protection: Electronics, mobiles, and gadgets bought online are covered for accidental damage/theft for 6 months post-purchase, up to ₹50,000.
- Lost Card Liability: ₹15 lakh–₹30 lakh protection against fraudulent use.
Loan, EMI, and Payment Flexibility
- EMI on Call: Convert transactions above ₹1,500 to EMI plans (tenure 3–36 months)
- Quick Loan: Avail loans within card limit for immediate needs.
- Express Loan: Pre-approved loans at attractive interest without blocking credit limit.
- Bill Payments: E-mandate standing instructions for utility bills, insurance, subscriptions.
- YES PayNow: Auto pay and scheduled payment options for billers and utility services.
Application Process and Eligibility
- Eligibility Criteria: Salaried/self-employed aged 21–60, minimum annual income typically ₹4 lakh, CIBIL score 750+ preferred.
- Documents Required: PAN, Aadhaar, proof of address (utility bill/bank statement), income proof (salary slip/ITR), photographs.
- Online Application: Available via YES BANK, CardInsider, Paisabazaar, and other portals, with in-person application at branches.
Comparison with Other Premium Cards
| Feature | YES BANK RESERV Card | HDFC Regalia Gold | SBI ELITE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online Reward Rate | Up to 3% (with subscription) | 1.33% | 1.25% |
| Lounge Access | 12 Domestic + 6 International | 12 Domestic + 6 International | 8 Domestic + 6 International |
| Forex Markup | 1.75% | 2% | 1.99% |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Up to ₹1,000/month | Up to ₹500/month | Up to ₹250/month |
| Annual Fee (Waivable) | ₹1,999–₹2,499 + GST | ₹2,500 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST |
| Waiver Condition | ₹3L annual spend | ₹3L annual spend | ₹10L annual spend |
Advanced Reward Maximization Strategies
- Subscription Plan Hack: By subscribing to the annual 3X/5X plan, online reward rates jump up to 9% on select platforms, which is far superior to what most competitive cards offer in India.
- Smart Redemption: Redeem reward points for travel bookings (flights/hotels), InterMiles, and Vistara Club Points for best value.
- Avoid Excluded Transactions: Ensure bulk spends are rooted in eligible categories (avoid rent, wallet loads, fuel) to maximize reward accumulation and fee waivers.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Highest online reward rate in the Indian market, with easy reward redemption and no restrictions found on some YES BANK cards.
- Competitive forex markup (1.75%), lower than most banks.
- Rich suite of travel, insurance, and protection benefits, including accidental death and purchase protection for electronics.
- Fee waivers achievable for regular online spenders.
- Flexible loan, EMI conversion, and payment options.
Cons
- Fuel, rent, wallet, and EMI-converted transactions do not earn rewards.
- No welcome benefit beyond joining fee waiver or bonus points.
- Subscription plans for higher reward rates require additional annual payment.
- Reward redemption incurs a nominal fee
- Benefits and reward rates may vary across portal/application method.
Who Should Get The YES BANK RESERV Credit Card?
- Heavy online shoppers (especially those using Amazon, Flipkart, travel portals).
- Frequent domestic/international travelers who value lounge access and travel insurance.
- Affluent consumers seeking protection for large electronic purchases and accidental coverage.
- Individuals able to maintain ₹3 lakh+ annual spends (for fee waivers and bonus rewards).
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the RESERV card LTF (lifetime free) for existing customers?
- Some existing YES FIRST Exclusive cardholders may be migrated to LTF variants; new applications are generally fee-based, but fee waivers are easy for active spenders.
- What happens if annual spend doesn’t meet waiver threshold?
- The renewal fee applies, but usually accompanied by 8,000 bonus points.
- Is lounge access unlimited?
- For some international networks (Priority Pass), yes; for other domestic programs, access is restricted by year.
- How can points be redeemed?
- Through YES BANK rewards portal for flights, merchandise, partner loyalty points, vouchers.
- What is the purchase protection benefit?
- Covers electronics/mobiles bought online for up to ₹50,000 against damage/theft for 6 months.
Conclusion
YES BANK RESERV Credit Card delivers exceptional value to digital-savvy, travel-oriented premium Indian consumers. Its best-in-class reward rates for online spending, competitive forex charges, travel, insurance, and EMI flexibility—alongside robust lounge access—make it an appealing choice for those comfortable with higher spend thresholds. The subscription accelerator plans bring this card to the top tier for maximizing returns if used wisely. Fee waivers, insurance, and purchase protection features further sweeten the deal, making it suitable not just for point chasers but for those wanting peace of mind and a full spectrum of lifestyle perks.