The verdict
An agile, modern credit card designed for mobile-first spenders and UPI power users. Combining 3X rewards on QR code scans, zero annual maintenance fees, and instant 3-month interest-free installment splitting makes it ideal for flexible everyday budgeting.
Spending ₹6,000/mo via RuPay UPI / contactless (₹1,080 points/yr) + saves ₹400 on fuel surcharge provides over ₹1,480 in net annual cashback value at ₹0 fee liability (Infinite ROI).
No airport lounge access and reward return on non-UPI spends is 0.50%.
✓What works
- +100% Lifetime Free forever — zero joining fee and zero annual renewal fee.
- +3X Reward Points (3 points per ₹100 spent = 1.5% return) on RuPay UPI transactions and contactless tap-to-pay.
- +'Pay by 3' feature: Automatically split any transaction above ₹3,000 into 3 monthly parts with zero interest.
- +Earn 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent (0.50% return) on all other general domestic retail.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on all petrol pumps in India on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
- +Virtual credit card instantly issued for immediate UPI linking on Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm.
✕What doesn't
- −No complimentary airport lounge access.
- −Standard 3.5% + GST forex markup on international transactions.
- −Pay by 3 splitting may require a small one-time processing fee depending on merchant tier.
What it earns
1 Reward Point = ₹0.50 when redeemed for brand shopping vouchers on the Equitas Rewardz portal.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| RuPay UPI & Contactless Tap-to-Pay | 3X (3 pts / ₹100 = 1.5%) | Uncapped | 3,000 pts (₹1,500 value) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 1 pt / ₹100 (0.50%) | Uncapped | 1,000 pts (₹500 value) |
| Fuel & Rent | 0% | Excluded | 0 pts |
Accelerated earn
3X Rewards on UPI Payments + Pay by 3 Split
Earn higher rewards every time you scan and pay with UPI.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| RuPay UPI Payments3 pts per ₹100 on UPI scans. | 3X · 1.5% | Uncapped | — |
| Contactless Tap-to-Pay3 pts per ₹100 on tap. | 3X · 1.5% | Uncapped | — |
| Pay by 3Split spends above ₹3,000. | 0% Interest · 3 Parts | — | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on the Equitas Rewardz portal for brand vouchers or statement cash credit.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Vouchers & Gift CardsBEST VALUE | ₹0.50 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| Statement Cash Credit | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | ₹99 + GST |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +RuPay UPI merchant QR payments, grocery stores, daily food stalls.
- +Contactless tap-to-pay POS transactions.
- +Online retail and e-commerce shopping.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Rent payments.
- −Fuel purchases (1% surcharge waiver on ₹400–₹4,000).
- −Wallet load transactions.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹0 (100% Lifetime Free) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹0 (Lifetime Free Forever) |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% + GST |
| Finance Charges | 3.49% / month (41.88% / year) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 21–65 years |
| Salaried Income | ₹18,000+ monthly net salary |
| Self-Employed Income | ITR above ₹2.0 Lakhs per annum |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Equitas Tiga Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for Equitas Tiga Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on Equitas Tiga Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on Equitas Tiga Credit Card?
Who is Equitas Tiga Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: Equitas Tiga Credit Card
The Equitas Tiga Credit Card is Equitas Small Finance Bank’s digital-first entry-level credit card issued on the RuPay and Visa networks. Engineered specifically for smartphone-native spenders, young professionals, and UPI power users, the card provides 100% Lifetime Free pricing with zero annual fees alongside accelerated rewards on digital QR code transactions and flexible payment management.
Cardholders earn an accelerated 3X Reward Points on all RuPay UPI payments and contactless tap-to-pay transactions (1.5% return, earning 3 points per ₹100 spent). All other general domestic retail purchases earn 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent (0.50% return). The card features an innovative ‘Pay by 3’ facility, allowing users to split transactions above ₹3,000 into 3 equal monthly installments at 0% interest for greater cash flow flexibility. Additional perks include a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 across India and an instantly issued virtual card for immediate UPI linking on Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm. With 1 Reward Point worth up to ₹0.50 on brand vouchers and absolute zero annual maintenance fees, the Equitas Tiga delivers outstanding entry-level convenience.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- 100% Lifetime Free Forever: Enjoy zero joining fees and zero annual renewal fees with no spend-based conditions.
- Accelerated 3X UPI & Tap-to-Pay Rewards: Earn 3 Reward Points per ₹100 spent (1.5% return) on all RuPay UPI QR scans and contactless point-of-sale swipes.
- ‘Pay by 3’ Interest-Free Split: Split any purchase above ₹3,000 into 3 monthly installments at 0% interest.
- General Retail Rewards: Earn 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent (0.50% return) across all other eligible retail transactions.
- Instant Virtual Card Issuance: Receive an instant digital card upon approval for immediate linking to Google Pay, PhonePe, and Paytm UPI apps.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Enjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at petrol pumps nationwide.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Lounge Access Absence: The Equitas Tiga does not provide complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
- Pay by 3 Processing Terms: Splitting transactions above ₹3,000 into 3 installments may incur a small one-time processing fee depending on merchant categories.
- Reward Point Valuation & Minimum Redemption: 1 Equitas Reward Point equals ₹0.50 when redeemed for brand vouchers (minimum redemption threshold is 500 points) or ₹0.25 for direct statement credit (subject to a ₹99 + GST processing fee).
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel transactions, real estate rent payments, and wallet reloads are excluded from reward point accrual.
- Foreign Currency Markup: Overseas transactions incur a standard 3.50% + GST forex markup fee.
Who Benefits Most
- UPI & Mobile-First Spenders: Consumers who conduct everyday grocery and merchant transactions primarily by scanning RuPay UPI QR codes with smartphones.
- First-Time Cardholders & Young Earners: Individuals seeking a reliable 100% Lifetime Free starter card with zero fee liability and accessible income criteria.
- Budget-Conscious Shoppers: Cardholders who value the flexibility to split larger purchases above ₹3,000 into 3 equal monthly payments without paying interest.
- Equitas Small Finance Bank — Tiga Credit Card schedule of charges
- Equitas Bank Pay-by-3 & UPI reward terms and conditions
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).