2 pts / ₹100
Strong dataICICI Bank Times Black vs Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve Credit Cards – Fees, Lounge, Forex
Side-by-side comparison of the ICICI Bank Times Black and the Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve. Verify fees, lounge access, forex markup, and base rewards before you apply.
The short answer
VerdictPick Times Black for travel and spending abroad.
Pick White Reserve for rewards and upi.
Head-to-head
Three core metrics- Annual fee White Reserve saves ₹7,500/yrTimes Black ₹20,000 Waivable at ₹25,00,000 spendWhite Reserve ₹12,500 Waivable at ₹10,00,000 spend
- Forex markup Times Black saves ~₹510 per ₹1L abroadTimes Black 1.49%White Reserve 2%
- Domestic lounge Times Black UnlimitedWhite Reserve Unlimited
Reward earning explained
Per card2%
Strong dataPick based on what matters
5 dimensionsStart with the constraint you care about most: annual fee (ICICI Bank Times Black: ₹20,000 vs Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve: ₹12,500), forex markup (1.49% vs 2%), or lounge access (Unlimited vs Unlimited).
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Travel ICICI Bank Times Black wins ICICI Bank Times Black is better for travel
ICICI Bank Times Black is stronger here. ICICI Bank Times Black is cheaper for international spend (1.49% vs 2% forex).
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Forex markup ICICI Bank Times Black wins ICICI Bank Times Black is better for forex
ICICI Bank Times Black is stronger here. ICICI Bank Times Black has a lower forex markup (1.49% vs 2%).
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Lounge access Tie Both cards are similar for lounge access
Domestic lounge access is unlimited.
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Rewards Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve wins Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve is better for rewards
Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve is stronger here. Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve conservative base value ~2% vs ICICI Bank Times Black's ~0.8%.
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upi Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve wins Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve is better for UPI usage
Kotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve is stronger here. Supports UPI via RuPay network.
All fields
Example usage at this monthly spend
At ₹50k/month spend:
- Kotak White Reserve: ~₹1,000/month at base rate
- Times Black ICICI Bank: ~₹400/month at base rate
Illustrative only, using current base rates before caps.
| Field | Times Black ICICI Bank | White Reserve Kotak Mahindra Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Insurance — Air accident cover Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank | ₹3 crore | Not specified |
| Insurance — Lost card liability cover Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank | ₹50,000 | Not specified |
| Insurance — Underwriter Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank | Insured by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited | Not specified |
| Lounge Access | ||
| Domestic lounge visits | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| International lounge visits | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Forex / International Use | ||
| Forex markup 1.49% vs 2% | 1.49% | 2% |
| Fees | ||
| Recurring annual fee ₹20,000 vs ₹12,500 | ₹20,000 | ₹12,500 |
| Annual-fee waiver ₹25,00,000 vs ₹10,00,000 | ₹25,00,000 | ₹10,00,000 |
| Interest-free period Up to 48 days vs Up to 51 days | Up to 48 days | Up to 51 days |
| Monthly interest rate Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank | 3.75% / month | Not specified |
| Fuel benefit 1% surcharge waiver · up to ₹4,000 transactions vs 1% surcharge waiver · ₹400–₹7,500 transactions · ₹4,500/year waiver cap | 1% surcharge waiver · up to ₹4,000 transactions | 1% surcharge waiver · ₹400–₹7,500 transactions · ₹4,500/year waiver cap |
| Rewards | ||
| Base earn 2 pts / ₹100 vs 2% | 2 pts / ₹100 | 2% |
| Conservative base value ~0.8% vs ~2% | ~0.8% | ~2% |
| Earn ceiling | Not stated | Not stated |
| Point value (headline channel) Issuer headline redemption rate — see each card page for the full channel grid. Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank | ₹0.4 | Not specified |
Notes
- Card benefits change frequently. Always verify current terms on the issuer's official website or app before applying.
ICICI Bank Times Black
Verify with issuer , opens external siteKotak Mahindra Bank White Reserve
Verify with issuer , opens external site