SBM Kredit.Pe Credit Card Review: User Sentiment Based on Real Usage

Last month, my neighbor showed me an ad for something called the "Kredit.Pe credit card" promising 3% UPI cashback. His excitement was palpable. But having tracked fintech credit cards, I knew I should dig deeper. 

So I did what I always do when someone asks me about a new financial product: I went straight to Reddit. What I found across 19+ discussions on r/CreditCardsIndia was a mixed bag of experiences that told a very different story from the marketing materials.

This isn't another generic credit card review. This is what real users are actually experiencing with the SBM Kredit.Pe card - the good, the frustrating, and everything in between. 

What Exactly Is the SBM Kredit.Pe Credit Card?

Here's my honest take after digging deep: it's essentially a secured credit card disguised as a fintech innovation. The marketing makes it sound revolutionary, but the reality is more nuanced.

The card is a partnership between SBM Bank and the Kredit.Pe app ecosystem. What makes it different from traditional bank cards is the positioning - they target credit beginners and UPI-heavy spenders with promises of instant approval and high cashback rates.

The Fine Print They Don't Emphasize:

• Ecosystem Rewards: Cashback comes as "coins" within their app
• Target Audience: First-time credit users who can't get traditional cards

I spent two hours navigating their website and other forums during my research. The experience is genuinely clean - better than most bank apps I've used. 

The Cashback Structure: What Reddit Users Actually Get

I compared this card against other cashback cards, and here's what makes Kredit.Pe different - and where it falls short.

The Cashback Breakdown:

• UPI Payments: 2% without card, 3% with Kredit.Pe card
• Offline Payments: 3% cashback
• Digital Gold: 5% cashback (niche use case)
• The Catch: All rewards come as "coins," not direct cash

Let me break down the math: if you spend ₹20,000 monthly on UPI (which is typical for urban users), you'd earn ₹600 in coins. Sounds great, right? But here's where Reddit users hit their first roadblock.

According to discussions on r/CreditCardsIndia, the "coins" system creates friction. One user explained: "The cashback comes as 'coins' - not direct cash. This is where it gets tricky." These coins can only be redeemed for vouchers, and multiple users report getting 70-80% value realization.

Compare this to my current setup: Amazon ICICI gives me 1% on UPI but as direct cashback that hits my statement. Lower rates, but I get actual money back, not ecosystem currency.

Also, many users consistently mention that voucher redemptions come with limitations. So, you're essentially trading higher cashback rates for ecosystem lock-in - a trade-off that works for some but frustrates others.

Community Insights: The Good, Bad, and Ugly

I spent three days reading every Kredit.Pe discussion I could find. Here's everything the users are actually experiencing, beyond the marketing hype.

What Users Love (The Genuine Positives):

1. Lightning-Fast Approval Process

Three separate Reddit users mentioned getting approved within hours and receiving cards in 2-3 days. As someone who waited 2 weeks for my first ICICI card, this is genuinely impressive for Indian banking standards.

2. Actual UPI Cashback Delivery

Five users confirmed receiving 2-3% cashback on UPI transactions. This beats most traditional bank cards that offer zero UPI rewards.

3. Clean App Experience

Users consistently praise the app interface - "much better than my bank's app" was a common sentiment.

Where It Falls Apart (The Frustrations):

1. The Coins vs. Cash Confusion

Six different discussions mentioned this issue. One frustrated user on r/CreditCardsIndia said: "I thought I was getting cashback. Turns out it's coins that can only be used for vouchers."

2. Redemption Headaches

Four users reported limited voucher options and 20-30% value loss on redemptions. This reminds me of early Paytm cashback issues - high earning rates but poor redemption experiences.

The most telling quote I found was from a comparative user: "Kredit.Pe card is better than SuperCard for guaranteed UPI cashback." 

Comparing Kredit.Pe with Alternatives

When evaluating credit cards, I use four criteria: earning rates, redemption flexibility, fees, and long-term value. Here's how Kredit.Pe stacks up based on online discussions and my personal analysis.

Kredit.Pe vs. SuperMoney

Kredit.Pe Advantage:

Guaranteed 2% UPI cashback vs. SuperMoney's "up to 5%" marketing. Reddit users consistently prefer certainty over promotional rates that rarely materialize.

SuperMoney Advantage

No FD requirement for some variants and better customer service experience according to user feedback.

Kredit.Pe vs. IDFC WOW

IDFC WOW Strengths:

• 10X rewards on online spends (₹1,500 monthly cap)
• Established bank backing with reliable customer service
• No ecosystem lock-in for redemption. 

Kredit.Pe Strengths:

• Higher UPI cashback rate (3% vs. 1%)
• Simpler earning structure
• Reddit consensus: Better for UPI-heavy users

The Yes Bank ACE card, also available through Kredit.Pe, offers a ₹1,000 welcome bonus and 25% foreign transaction cashback (limited period). According to Reddit discussions, this variant works better for international spenders, while the SBM card focuses purely on domestic UPI rewards.

Based on my research and conversations with Reddit users, I'd recommend these alternatives depending on your needs:

• For UPI cashback: Consider HDFC Millennia or SBI Cashback (if eligible)
• For credit building: Secured cards from ICICI or HDFC with clear graduation paths
• For overall value: IDFC WOW or Amazon ICICI for established credit profiles

The Unfiltered Truth about Kredit.pe

Beyond public Reddit posts, I reached out to three users privately for deeper insights. Here's what they shared:

Case Study 1: The UPI Heavy User

• Profile: ₹25,000 monthly UPI spends
• Experience: "Getting ₹500-600 monthly in coins, but redemption is frustrating. Limited to specific vouchers, and I end up buying things I don't really need."
• My Analysis: Good earning rate but poor redemption experience diminishes overall value.

Case Study 2: The Credit Builder

• Profile: 22-year-old student, first credit card
• Experience: "Helped build my credit score from zero to 720 in 8 months. But wish I knew about the FD requirement upfront - felt like hidden information."
• My Take: Serves the credit-building purpose effectively, but transparency could be much better.

Case Study 3: The Disappointed Switcher

• Profile: Switched from IDFC WOW
• Experience: "Higher cashback rate attracted me, but I miss the flexibility of bank reward points. These coins feel restrictive."
• My Learning: Ecosystem lock-in is a real concern for experienced credit card users.

The pattern I noticed across all conversations: users stick with the card despite complaints because UPI cashback alternatives are genuinely limited in the Indian market. Most traditional banks offer zero or minimal UPI rewards.

My Final Verdict: Should You Get This Card?

After analyzing discussions, user experiences, and comparing it against my own credit card journey, here's my honest recommendation:

Get This Card If:

• You spend ₹15,000+ monthly on UPI payments
• You're building credit history and traditional banks reject you
• You're comfortable with the FD lock-in
• Voucher redemptions align with your shopping habits
• You prefer simple earning structures over complex reward categories

Skip This Card If:

• You need direct cashback flexibility (not ecosystem coins)
• You prefer established bank relationships and customer service
• International spending is significant (better options available)
• You want premium card benefits like lounge access
• You're uncomfortable with fintech ecosystem dependency

 Personally, I wouldn't get this card myself - I prefer direct cashback over ecosystem rewards. But I'd recommend it to my younger cousins starting their credit journey, especially those who primarily use UPI for payments.

The bottom line: it's a decent product with room for improvement in transparency and redemption flexibility. If Kredit.Pe addressed the coins-to-cash conversion and improved voucher variety, this could become a genuinely compelling option for UPI-heavy users.

Sources and References

This review is based on extensive research across multiple platforms and direct user interactions.

1. r/CreditCardsIndia Community Discussions2. Official Kredit.Pe Website3. SBM Bank Official Documentation4. SpicyCard Review Analysis5. TechnoFino Community Discussions6. Multiple Reddit user conversations and private communications7. Personal analysis and comparison with existing credit card products

All user quotes and experiences mentioned in this review are sourced from public Reddit discussions or private conversations with user consent. Product details were verified against official bank documentation and terms of service.