New Delhi 11:20 AM IST — A new kind of credit card has quietly entered the Indian market, aimed straight at the salaried workforce. City Union Bank (CUB), in collaboration with SalarySe, has launched the “Level UP Credit Card”, claiming to bring credit access closer to the rhythm of your monthly income — salary day rewards, UPI-first usage, and designed around real-world spending. City Union are not entirely new to credit cards but is actively expanding, particularly with digital-first, UPI-linked, and co-branded offerings in 2024-2025.
It’s actually two formats:
One physical + virtual card with a ₹500 joining fee, and another virtual-only card with zero joining or annual fees. In a world where banks love fees more than customers, that second option sounds fresh.
What makes this card stand out is not luxury or cashback, but the attempt to integrate salary behaviour into credit. The logic: most Indian employees spend the most immediately after payday — groceries, EMIs, household restocking — so why not offer maximum benefits right then?
The reward tiers do feel a bit like a game: the more you spend, and specifically when and how you spend, the better the benefits. Normal usage earns modest points, but when your bill crosses ₹20,000 in a month — or when you swipe on salary day using SalarySe UPI — the multiplier gets interesting. Still, Indian shoppers aren’t used to planning bills around calendar triggers, so let’s keep expectations real.
Where it does score well is accessibility. You don’t need to be a high-income premium customer. Any salaried earner with a regular incoming salary qualifies. And for a tier-2 market like Bhiwadi or Surat, this feels inclusive.
Does It Reward Smartly or Complicate Life?
Let’s decode the mechanics in clear words:
• Salary Day Bonus: Spend via SalarySe UPI on 1st & last day → earn 25 Reward Points per ₹100
That’s their famous “37.5% rewards” claim — but only on those two days, and only via their UPI app.
• Rest of the Month: Still rewarding — just depends on how much you’re swiping
- Monthly spend below ₹20K → 5 RP per ₹100
- Monthly spend above ₹20K → 10 RP per ₹100
- Spending on other UPI apps → 1 RP per ₹100
Plus, if last month’s spending was ₹10,000+, you get 1 domestic airport lounge access this month. Many entry-level cards don’t even bother offering lounge privileges — so that’s a fair win.
As per City Union Bank terms, the direct conversion rate is 1 Reward Point = ₹0.20 (20 paise)
Easemoney Quick Check — How It Compares Today
| Feature | CUB–SalarySe Level UP | Typical ₹0-Fee UPI Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Who it targets | Salaried earners only | Anyone regular salary |
| Card format | Physical + Virtual | Only Virtual |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 + GST (waived @ ₹2L spend) or ₹0 | Usually ₹0 |
| Rewards Style | Dynamic — more on salary day + >₹20k spend | Straight 1–2% cashback |
| Lounge Benefit | Yes upto 12 (1/month if the spend condition is met) | Mostly No |
Who Will Love This?
• Salaried earners spending ₹15K–₹30K each month
• UPI-first users who barely swipe cards anymore
• First-time credit card holders wanting an easy entry
• Frequent domestic travellers (even if just 6–8 times a year)
Who won’t? People who want a zero learning curve. Folks who spend low or randomly throughout the month. The “just give cashback and peace” crowd.
Recent news – IDFC Bank Unveils ‘FIRST WOW! Black’: UPI, Rewards, Zero Forex – But Is It Truly Premium?
