Every YES Bank credit card [/blog/yes-bank-credit-cards/] comes with a set of fees and charges beyond the joining and annual fee. Understanding these charges upfront helps you avoid surprises on your monthly statement and choose a card whose cost structure fits your spending behaviour.
This guide covers every applicable charge, from interest rates and forex markup to the revised utility payment surcharges that took effect in January 2026.
Joining Fee and Annual Fee – Card-Wise Breakdown
The upfront cost of owning a YES Bank credit card ranges from zero to nearly ₹10,000 depending on the variant.
| Card | Joining Fee | Annual Fee | Fee Waiver Condition |
| Klick (via Kiwi) | ₹0 | ₹0 | Lifetime free |
| FinBooster | ₹0 | ₹0 | Lifetime free |
| POP Club | ₹0 | ₹399 + GST | Waived on ₹1.5 lakh annual spend |
| PaisaSave | ₹0 | ₹399 + GST | Waived on ₹1 lakh annual spend |
| Uni | ₹0 | Waivable on spend | Check current terms |
| ACE | ₹499 + GST | ₹499 + GST | Check current terms |
| BYOC | Varies | Varies | Depends on the selected configuration |
| SELECT | ₹599 + GST | ₹599 + GST | Waived on meeting spend threshold |
| ELITE+ | ₹999 + GST | ₹999 + GST | Waived on qualifying online + offline spends within 90 days |
| RESERV | ₹2,499 + GST | ₹2,499 + GST | Joining fee waived on ₹40,000 spend in first 30 days; annual fee waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend |
| First Business | ₹2,499 + GST | ₹2,499 + GST | Check current terms |
| MARQUÉE | ₹9,999 + GST | ₹4,999 + GST | Check current terms |
| Prosperity Rewards Plus | Against FD (₹50K min) | Against FD | Secured card – no separate fee |
If your priority is zero cost of ownership, the Klick card via Kiwi and the FinBooster card are the only truly lifetime-free options with no spending conditions attached. For other cards, carefully check whether your natural monthly spending will hit the waiver threshold – otherwise, the annual fee directly reduces your effective reward value.
Interest Rate (Finance Charges)
Interest charges are the single most expensive cost on any credit card. YES Bank charges interest when you do not pay the full outstanding amount by the due date.
| Card Category | Monthly Rate | Annual Rate (APR) |
| Cards with YES Bank salary/savings account | 1.99% – 2.99% p.m. | 23.88% – 35.88% p.a. |
| Cards without YES Bank account | 3.22% – 3.99% p.m. | 38.64% – 47.88% p.a. |
| YES Private / Premium tier | 1.99% p.m. | 23.88% p.a. |
| Most mid-range and entry-level cards | 3.49% – 3.99% p.m. | 41.88% – 47.88% p.a. |
Key points about how interest is calculated on YES Bank credit cards:
Interest is charged from the date of each transaction, not from the statement date or due date. This means if you make a purchase on the 5th and your due date is the 25th, and you fail to pay in full, interest accrues from the 5th, not the 25th.
If you carry any balance forward, you lose the interest-free period on all new purchases until the entire outstanding is cleared. This means even new purchases start accruing interest immediately.
Paying only the Minimum Amount Due avoids late payment fees and card blocking, but interest continues to accumulate on the remaining balance.
The only way to avoid interest charges entirely is to pay the full outstanding amount before the due date every single month.
Late Payment Fees
If you fail to pay even the Minimum Amount Due by the due date, YES Bank charges a late payment fee in addition to interest.
| Total Outstanding Amount | Late Payment Fee |
| Up to ₹500 | ₹0 |
| ₹501 to ₹5,000 | Up to ₹500 |
| ₹5,001 to ₹10,000 | Up to ₹600 |
| ₹10,001 to ₹25,000 | Up to ₹800 |
| ₹25,001 to ₹50,000 | Up to ₹1,100 |
| Above ₹50,000 | Up to ₹1,300 |
Late payment fees are charged on top of interest, creating a compounding cost if bills remain unpaid. Additionally, missed payments are reported to credit bureaus (CIBIL, Experian) and directly affect your credit score.
To avoid late fees entirely, set up an auto-debit instruction on your savings account. See our guide to all YES Bank credit card payment methods [/blog/yes-bank-credit-card-payment/] for step-by-step instructions.
Foreign Currency Markup (Forex Fee)
When you use your YES Bank credit card for international transactions – whether at a physical store abroad or on a foreign website – a forex markup fee is charged on the transaction amount.
| Card | Forex Markup Fee |
| RESERV | 1.75% |
| First Business | 1.75% |
| MARQUÉE | 2.00% |
| ELITE+ | 2.75% |
| SELECT | 2.75% |
| PaisaSave | 3.50% |
| ACE | 3.50% |
| Klick (Kiwi) | 2.75% |
| POP Club | Standard (3.50%) |
| Uni | 0% (zero forex markup) |
If international transactions are a significant part of your spending, the Uni card stands out with zero forex markup. The RESERV and First Business cards offer the next best rates at 1.75%. For most entry-level cards, the standard 3.50% markup makes international transactions expensive – in such cases, a dedicated forex-friendly card is a better choice.
Utility Payment Surcharges (January 2026 Update)
Effective January 2026, YES Bank revised its surcharge policy on several spending categories. This is an important change that affects users who pay large utility bills, education fees, or load wallets using their credit cards.
| Category | Surcharge | Monthly Threshold |
| Utility Payments (electricity, water, gas) | 1% of transaction + GST | Above ₹15,000 – ₹50,000/month (varies by card) |
| Education Payments (via third-party apps) | 1% + GST | Applicable above threshold |
| Wallet Loading (Paytm, Amazon Pay, etc.) | 1% of the amount + GST | Above card-specific threshold |
| Rent Payments | 1% of the amount or ₹199, whichever is higher (for amounts above ₹1,000) | Per transaction |
| Fuel Transactions | 1% + GST on transactions above ₹10,000 or cumulative above ₹25,000/month | The monthly cap varies by card |
The maximum surcharge per transaction is capped at ₹5,000 for most categories.
These surcharges apply across all YES Bank credit card variants. The specific monthly thresholds vary slightly by card, check the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) document for your specific card.
For most everyday users who pay normal utility bills (under ₹15,000/month), these surcharges will not apply. They primarily affect users who route large payments, rent, tuition, and high electricity bills through their credit card.
Cash Advance Fees
Withdrawing cash from an ATM using your YES Bank credit card is expensive and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary.
| Charge | Amount |
| Cash Advance Fee | 2.5% of the amount or ₹500, whichever is higher |
| Interest on Cash Advance | Same as revolving credit rate (3.49%–3.99% p.m.) from the day of withdrawal |
| Interest-Free Period | None -interest starts from the date of withdrawal |
Unlike regular purchases, cash advances do not have any interest-free period. Interest begins accruing immediately from the day you withdraw cash and continues until the full amount is repaid.
The YES Private credit card is an exception, it does not charge a cash advance fee, though interest still applies.
Reward Redemption Fee
When redeeming YES Bank reward points through the YES Rewardz portal, a redemption fee may apply depending on the card and the redemption category.
Most YES Bank credit cards charge ₹100 per redemption request for catalogue products. Some premium cards waive this fee. The Klick card via Kiwi operates on a direct cashback model (no reward points), so there is no redemption fee; cashback is automatically credited to your bank account.
For a complete guide on earning rates, point values, and the best redemption strategies, see our YES Bank credit card reward points guide [/blog/yes-bank-credit-card-reward-points/].
Other Charges to Know
Over-limit fee: If you spend beyond your assigned credit limit, an over-limit fee of up to 2.5% of the over-limit amount may be charged.
Card replacement fee: Replacing a lost, stolen, or damaged card typically costs ₹100 to ₹200, depending on the variant.
Statement copy fee: Requesting a duplicate physical statement beyond the standard monthly e-statement may attract a fee of ₹50 to ₹100 per copy.
GST on all fees: An 18% GST is applicable on all fees and charges, including joining fees, annual fees, interest, late payment fees, and surcharges. The amounts listed throughout this guide may not include GST unless explicitly stated.
How to Minimise Your Charges
Pay in full every month. This eliminates interest charges and preserves your interest-free period. Set up auto-debit for the full outstanding amount if you tend to forget.
Choose a card with a natural fee waiver. If your monthly spending naturally exceeds the annual fee waiver threshold, you effectively pay nothing. If not, consider a lifetime-free card like the Klick card via Kiwi.
Avoid cash advances. The combination of upfront fees and immediate interest makes cash withdrawals the most expensive use of a credit card. Use your debit card or bank account instead.
Watch the utility surcharge thresholds. If you pay large utility or education bills via credit card, check whether your monthly amount exceeds the threshold. If it does, consider splitting payments across months or using a different payment method for amounts above the cap.
Use the right card for international transactions. If you travel or shop on foreign websites, the forex markup difference between 0% (Uni) and 3.50% (most entry-level cards) is significant. On a ₹50,000 foreign purchase, the difference is ₹1,750.
If you are still comparing cards, our complete YES Bank credit card guide [/blog/yes-bank-credit-cards/] includes a full comparison table to help you find the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Interest rates range from 1.99% to 3.99% per month (23.88% to 47.88% per annum), depending on the card variant and whether you hold a YES Bank savings or salary account. Interest is charged only if you do not pay your full outstanding by the due date.
Late payment fees range from ₹0 (for outstanding below ₹500) to up to ₹1,300 (for outstanding above ₹50,000). These are charged when you fail to pay the Minimum Amount Due by the statement due date.
Forex markup ranges from 0% (Uni card) to 3.50% (most entry-level cards). Premium cards like RESERV and First Business charge 1.75%. This fee applies to all international transactions.
From January 2026, a 1% surcharge applies on utility payments above a monthly threshold (varies by card, typically ₹15,000 to ₹50,000). Payments below the threshold are not surcharged.
Most cards charge ₹100 per redemption request through the YES Rewardz portal. The Klick card via Kiwi uses direct cashback instead of reward points, so no redemption fee applies.
The Klick card (via Kiwi) and FinBooster are lifetime free with no joining or annual fee and no spending condition. Several other cards offer annual fee waivers on meeting spending thresholds.
Want a credit card with zero fees and direct cashback? Apply for the lifetime-free Kiwi YES Bank Klick card → Yes Bank Credit Card
