Best card for NPS Contribution

[Waynoway]

Last update: 11-01-2025

• HDFC : Milestone benefits only ✅
• HSBC Cashback: 0% ✅
• AMEX Gold Charge: 1 MR/50 + Milestone benefits ✅
• AMEX SmartEarn/ MRCC/Platinum Travel: Milestone benefits only ✅
• AU Zenith: Milestone benefits only ✅
• AU Zenith+: 1% + Milestone benefits ✅
• SC Smart: 2% ✅
• SC Ultimate: 2% (Govt. transaction) ✅
• ICICI AmazonPay: 1%
• Yes Marquee: 1.25% (Special MCC) ✅

Note: Mostly other cards from same bank works with varied reward rate and similar rule of exclusion.

For NPS payments MCC: 9399 (Govt. Services)

Do check both payment gateways Razorpay and Billdesk (above values are according to Billdesk gateway).

Also, do share missing cards rewards that you tried, will update accordingly.

PG Charges (with GST) on NPS website/app:

• VISA, Mastercard & AMEX = 0.885% (0.75% + GST)

Note: Above are for TIER 1. TIER 2 disabled credit card payments (based on latest available options).

If in doubt, always try test transaction and confirm with support. Things may chage any time, proceed with caution.

 

[Sham Bhujbal]

Does IDFC Club Vistara gives reward on NPS Payments, if yes then it give best rewards

Amount Spent	50000
Reward Point	6
Per X spent	200
Assuming Value of 1 Reward Point in Rupees	0.8
Reward Points Earned	1500
Reward Points Earned in Rupees	1200
Reward Rate in Percent	2.4

Can someone please confirm NPS payments are if considered for IDFC Club Vistara Credit Card

 

[CoolGeek]

Does ICICI HPCL card give 5% reward points on NPS? (from Feb govt spends would be added to utilities). But I did not get it hence asking.

 

[helloworld]

Does ICICI HPCL card give 5% reward points on NPS? (from Feb govt spends would be added to utilities). But I did not get it hence asking.

5% accelerated Reward Points on categories such as departmental stores, electricity and mobile bills capped at Rs 100 worth ICICI Bank Reward points per month.

HPCL Super Saver Credit Card - Rewards, Features & Savings | ICICI Bank

Fuel up your vehicle & earn attractive rewards, cashback, and exclusive benefits with ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver Credit Card. Apply now to experience the convenience and savings!

www.icicibank.com

where it mentioned? Also, 2k is very low limit to do on NPS (24k/year).

 

[CoolGeek]

5% accelerated Reward Points on categories such as departmental stores, electricity and mobile bills capped at Rs 100 worth ICICI Bank Reward points per month.

HPCL Super Saver Credit Card - Rewards, Features & Savings | ICICI Bank

Fuel up your vehicle & earn attractive rewards, cashback, and exclusive benefits with ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver Credit Card. Apply now to experience the convenience and savings!

www.icicibank.com

where it mentioned? Also, 2k is very low limit to do on NPS (24k/year).

It says 5% will be provided for Govt services too (govt services added to utilities) from February

 

[helloworld]

It says 5% will be provided for Govt services too (govt services added to utilities) from February

Ok. can you point me that line, not finding anywhere. Because never saw any bank mixes categories. And HPCL doesn't work for all utilities only electricity and mobile bills. Not sure how govt. services will be added here when everyone removing. So, let me know the source if you have.

Maybe not aware, since you have that card for long might receive mail, so checking.

 

[CoolGeek]

Ok. can you point me that line, not finding anywhere. Because never saw any bank mixes categories. And HPCL doesn't work for all utilities only electricity and mobile bills. Not sure how govt. services will be added here when everyone removing. So, let me know the source if you have.

Maybe not aware, since you have that card for long might receive mail, so checking.

Rewards on Utility Payments
As long as you use your card for utility transactions, you will still get reward points. The government transactions will be included under utility payment transactions as of February 5, 2024. All credit cards from ICICI Bank would be affected by this change.

New ICICI Bank Credit Card rules: ICICI Bank to change airport lounge access benefits, reward points rules for these 21 credit cards

ICICI Bank credit card rules: ICICI Bank is set to implement changes to the airport lounge access benefits across several of its credit cards starting from April 1, 2024.

economictimes.indiatimes.com

 

[iAmPm]

I can suggest Simply if you plan to spend 2L in a year and if you value/use of those Clrtrp/Ytra vouchers.

50k from NPS + 1.5L from other purchases.

Overall return: 2% + Fee waiver + anything card provides 0.25%

Airtl: Actually 0% but based on your shared link 1% (anycase do test transaction) = 1%
APay: 1%

If Simpliclick converted to LTF, do we still get milestone benefits of 1L and 2L. I saw somewhere that they don't provide if its LTF card. I have a paid card so want to know

 

[helloworld]

If Simpliclick converted to LTF, do we still get milestone benefits of 1L and 2L. I saw somewhere that they don't provide if its LTF card. I have a paid card so want to know

you'll get. no bank has this type of milestone restriction based on ltf status, afaik.

 

[hereforqueries]

Last update: 01-12-23

• HDFC : Milestone benefits ony ✅
• BOB Eterna: 0.375% ✅ (Could someone confirm Snapdeal reward rate)
• HSBC Cashback: 0% ✅
• AMEX Gold Charge: 1 MR / 50 + Milestone benefits ✅
• AMEX SmartEarn/ MRCC: Milestone benefits
• AU Zenith: 1.25% + Milestone benefits ✅
• ICICI APay: 1%

For NPS payments MCC: 9399

Do check both payment gateways Razorpay and Billdesk (above values are according to Billdesk gateway).

Also, do share missing cards rewards that you tried, will update accordingly.

NPS Charges (with GST):

• VISA, Mastercard & AMEX = 0.885%

So Amex Plat Travel or Plat reserve doesn't give any reward? Is there a change in this table?
I have Amex Platinum Reserve (PLanning to Switch to Platinum Travel) and Infinia. Which would be better card for NPS payment?

 

[helloworld]

So Amex Plat Travel or Plat reserve doesn't give any reward? Is there a change in this table?
I have Amex Platinum Reserve (PLanning to Switch to Platinum Travel) and Infinia. Which would be better card for NPS payment?

To iterater again, AMEX cards are never meant for 1MR/50 but the milestone benefits. Compared to regular rewards, milestone has higher reward % in AMEX and people should apply these cards only if those achieve them. Otherwise no use them. And do not loose better benefits by seeing no regular rewards, where you'll loose better returns.

Ex: Assuming 1MR = 0.30p

two options:
1 - If provided regular reward 0.6%
2 - If achieved milestone 6%

I personally aim for 2nd one and consider 1st as optional and doesn't mind if not provided because that is only extra 0.6%. But if you care 0.6% then you'll loose 6%.

Note: This applicable only for AMEX cards. In other banks regular reward rate is higher compared to milestone which is very low %.

SmartEarn: Not recommended but 4 milestone opportunities, not a good card but if you want low fee waiver and can spend 1.2L
MRCC: Reccommend if one can spend 1.5L and fee waiver option
Gold: Not recommended but can spend 6k per month and negotiate fee at the renewal to keep those earnings
Travel: Recommended for 4L
Reserv: Recommended depends on requirement for 50k per month spends
Platinum: Well, if one applied this card IMO shouldn't worry about rewards in their D2D

 

[hereforqueries]

To iterater again, AMEX cards are never meant for 1MR/50 but the milestone benefits. Compared to regular rewards, milestone has higher reward % in AMEX and people should apply these cards only if those achieve them. Otherwise no use them. And do not loose better benefits by seeing no regular rewards, where you'll loose better returns.

Ex: Assuming 1MR = 0.30p

two options:
1 - If provided regular reward 0.6%
2 - If achieved milestone 6%

I personally aim for 2nd one and consider 1st as optional and doesn't mind if not provided because that is only extra 0.6%. But if you care 0.6% then you'll loose 6%.

Note: This applicable only for AMEX cards. In other banks regular reward rate is higher compared to milestone which is very low %.

SmartEarn: Not recommended but 4 milestone opportunities, not a good card but if you want low fee waiver and can spend 1.2L
MRCC: Reccommend if one can spend 1.5L and fee waiver option
Gold: Not recommended but can spend 6k per month and negotiate fee at the renewal to keep those earnings
Travel: Recommended for 4L
Reserv: Recommended depends on requirement for 50k per month spends
Platinum: Well, if one applied this card IMO shouldn't worry about rewards in their D2D

Thank you.. Makes sense. I was trying to look for rewards to offset the fee being charged. But Milesstone part makes sense..

 

[vineetverma]

DCB not being accepted for NPS payment as of today. Has anybody else faced this issue recently?

 

[gowthamselvam]

Recently heared that Amex is not accepted in NPS payment ? is it true ?

 

[350modena]

Recently heared that Amex is not accepted in NPS payment ? is it true ?

I was able to use it end April with no issues.

 

[roygarg]

Does airtel axis still give 1% cb on nps payment?

 

[b4bhar]

Does airtel axis still give 1% cb on nps payment?

1% cb is too less given you need to pay convenience fee for credit cards

 

[roygarg]

1% cb is too less given you need to pay convenience fee for credit cards

The goal is to use wife's CC to make contributions to my NPS account in a couple of instalments, then pay her CC bills using my Millenia DC. Thought of applying for SC Smart but have heard that redemption options are very bad and statement credit is not available. They also recently changed minimum redemption amount to Rs 2,500.

 

[b4bhar]

The goal is to use wife's CC to make contributions to my NPS account in a couple of instalments, then pay her CC bills using my Millenia DC. Thought of applying for SC Smart but have heard that redemption options are very bad and statement credit is not available. They also recently changed minimum redemption amount to Rs 2,500.

I would say get amex MRCC or AU LIT card and activate the 5% cb feature.

 

[roygarg]

I would say get amex MRCC or AU LIT card and activate the 5% cb feature.

Amex MRCC fee is too high. I already have other paid cards. Dont you have to pay 300 per quarter for AU Lit?

 

[helloworld]

Amex MRCC fee is too high. I already have other paid cards. Dont you have to pay 300 per quarter for AU Lit?

its all about how much you're getting back after recovering fee. which needs spends and which help you achieve the target.

MRCC fee: 1500 (and FYF) + waived if spent 1.5L in a year with return around 5%+ (depends on options it can also reach 8%).

AU Lit, on careful planning and spending provide you 8% cashback - look for AU Lit thread for detail calculations.

Again, as mentioned 1500 is high but 1.5L is eay to achieve if proper planning and spends are there. Otherwise ignore and continue LTF cards.

Also Airtel need 2L spends which is higher than MRCC?

And airtel gives 12% cumulatively if spent 102000 (max limit all major categories) then you have to pay fee 500 which reduces to 11% or if spent remaining 1L to get the fee waiver it will reduce even further (6.5%). Know when to stop and spend on cards to get best reward rates.