If international spending is a big part of your card usage, the Kotak White Reserve Credit Card just got a lot more interesting. Kotak Mahindra Bank is now offering 6 reward points per ₹100 on international spends, up from 4. That’s a clear improvement for anyone who uses the card abroad or for overseas transactions.
The card is also getting a nice travel-friendly upgrade on the domestic side. Domestic airport lounge access has increased to 8 per year, which makes the card more useful for frequent flyers who want a bit more comfort before takeoff. These two changes together make White Reserve feel more aligned with premium travel and global spending than before.
Of course, this is still a premium card with a premium price tag. The annual fee is ₹10,000 + GST, but there is a milestone waiver on ₹10 lakh spend. That means the card is not cheap to hold unless you can either justify the fee through benefits or spend enough to unlock the waiver.
What stands out here is the focus. Kotak isn’t trying to make White Reserve a general-purpose cashback card; it’s leaning into international value and lounge access. That makes sense for a card positioned in the premium segment. If you travel often or make a lot of foreign currency purchases, the improved reward rate is the kind of change that can materially improve the card’s value.
For domestic-only users, the story is a little different. The lounge increase is helpful, but the real headline is the international reward boost. If you don’t spend abroad, you may not feel the full benefit of the update. That’s why this card now looks especially appealing to a narrower but very relevant audience: frequent international travellers and high-spend premium users.
Our take? This is a strong enhancement, not just a cosmetic one. Moving from 4 to 6 reward points per ₹100 on international spends is a meaningful jump, and the increase in lounge access adds to the premium feel. The fee is still substantial, so the card makes the most sense if you can use the benefits regularly.
The bottom line: if you spend internationally or want more lounge access, Kotak White Reserve deserves a fresh look. Just keep the ₹10,000 + GST fee and the ₹10 lakh spend waiver in mind before applying.