The verdict
One of the absolute highest-value travel and lifestyle credit cards in the public sector banking segment. Providing 8 domestic and 2 international airport lounge visits per year alongside ₹10 Lakhs insurance at a low ₹500 fee, it outperforms most private bank cards charging 5X higher fees.
Spending ₹10,000/month earns 2,400 points/year (~₹600 value). Adding 8 domestic airport lounge visits (~₹9,600), 2 international airport lounge visits (~₹4,800), ₹600 fuel surcharge savings, and ₹1L spend fee waiver delivers over ₹16,100 in net annual travel value against a ₹500 fee.
Cardholders who prefer direct flat 5% cashback on e-commerce platforms like Amazon/Flipkart over airport lounges will prefer SBI Cashback.
✓What works
- +2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (8 visits per year).
- +2 complimentary international airport lounge visits per year via Priority Pass membership.
- +₹10 Lakhs complimentary personal accidental death insurance coverage.
- +RuPay enabled for merchant UPI QR scan-and-pay transactions.
- +300 bonus reward points upon card setup and initial spend.
- +100% annual renewal fee waiver upon spending ₹1,00,000 in a card anniversary year.
- +Complimentary 24x7 global concierge for flights, hotels, and event bookings.
✕What doesn't
- −₹500 + GST joining and renewal fee.
- −Standard base reward rate of 2 points per ₹100 on general retail.
What it earns
1 PNB Reward Point = ₹0.25 for statement credit or brand shopping vouchers on PNB Rewardz.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Domestic & International Retail Spends | 2 Points / ₹100 (0.50% value) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (~₹500 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
8 Domestic + 2 International Lounges + ₹10L Cover
Enjoy 8 domestic lounges, 2 international lounges, and comprehensive insurance cover.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Purchases & UPI Payments2 points per ₹100 across online, offline, and RuPay UPI merchant transactions. | 1× · 2 Points / ₹100 (0.50%) | Uncapped | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on PNB Rewardz portal for merchandise, vouchers, or statement credit.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PNB Rewardz Shopping & VouchersBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| Statement Cash CreditBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +All retail stores, supermarkets, dining, online e-commerce, and RuPay UPI merchants.
- +Domestic airport lounges (2 per quarter) and International lounges (2 per year).
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver across India.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel purchases (eligible for 1% surcharge waiver only).
- −ATM cash withdrawals.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹500 + GST (Includes 300 Welcome Bonus Reward Points) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹500 + GST (Waived on ₹1,00,000 annual spend) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 2.95% per month (35.40% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.50% + GST |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹500 to ₹4,000 transactions (Max ₹250/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Requirement | 21 to 65 years |
| Minimum Monthly Income | ₹25,000+ per month (Salaried) or ₹3.6L+ ITR (Self-Employed) |
| Credit Score (CIBIL) | 720+ recommended for smooth approval |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does PNB RuPay Select Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for PNB RuPay Select Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on PNB RuPay Select Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on PNB RuPay Select Credit Card?
Who is PNB RuPay Select Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: PNB RuPay Select Credit Card
The PNB RuPay Select Credit Card is Punjab National Bank’s premier mass-affluent travel and lifestyle offering, issued on the NPCI RuPay Select platform. Structured with an accessible annual renewal fee of ₹500 + GST (which is completely waived upon achieving ₹1,00,000 in eligible retail spending within the previous card anniversary year), it delivers an unmatched ratio of travel privileges to annual holding cost within the Indian public sector banking sphere.
The card stands out primarily for its generous airport lounge entitlement: 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 visits per calendar quarter) across major Indian terminals, coupled with 2 complimentary international airport lounge visits annually via Priority Pass. Combined with comprehensive ₹10 Lakhs personal accidental death insurance cover, RuPay credit-on-UPI interoperability for everyday merchant QR payments, 300 welcome bonus reward points, and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, the PNB RuPay Select Credit Card delivers upper-tier lifestyle features at an entry-level price point.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- 8 Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounges: Enjoy 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (8 visits per year) across primary Indian airport hubs.
- 2 Complimentary International Lounges Annually: Access global airport lounges with 2 complimentary international visits per year through the bundled Priority Pass program.
- Credit on UPI Merchant Payments: Link the card seamlessly to major UPI applications (BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm) to earn rewards on daily QR merchant scans.
- Comprehensive ₹10 Lakhs Accidental Cover: Complimentary personal accidental death and permanent disability insurance coverage of ₹10 Lakhs for the primary cardholder.
- Attainable ₹1 Lakh Annual Spend Fee Waiver: The modest ₹500 renewal charge is 100% reversed upon reaching ₹1,00,000 in retail spending over the card anniversary year.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Quarterly Lounge Allocation Limit: Domestic lounge access is capped at 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter and cannot be carried forward to subsequent quarters.
- Base Reward Earn Rate: General retail spending accrues a standard 2 reward points per ₹100 spent (0.50% valueback at 1 point = ₹0.25 on the PNB Rewardz portal).
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel transactions, ATM cash advances, and wallet reloads are excluded from earning reward points.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver Limits: The 1% fuel surcharge waiver applies to transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000, with a monthly savings cap of ₹250.
- Standard Foreign Currency Markup: International expenditures outside India incur a standard 3.50% + GST foreign currency markup fee.
Who Benefits Most
- Budget-Conscious Frequent Flyers: Travelers seeking dependable domestic airport lounge access (8 visits/year) without paying multi-thousand-rupee premium card fees.
- RuPay UPI Enthusiasts: Consumers looking to consolidate regular daily grocery and retail merchant payments via UPI while earning reward points.
- Salaried Professionals Seeking Public Sector Reliability: Cardholders who prioritize low maintenance costs, ₹10 Lakhs insurance cover, and an easily achievable ₹1,00,000 fee waiver.
- Punjab National Bank — PNB RuPay Select Credit Card official schedule of charges and MITC
- NPCI RuPay Select Program — 8 domestic lounges, 2 international lounges, ₹10L insurance, concierge & Spa/Health benefits
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).