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ICICI 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.

Times Black
White Reserve

The short answer

Verdict

Pick Times Black for travel and spending abroad.

Pick White Reserve for rewards and upi.

Head-to-head

Three core metrics
  • Annual fee
    Times Black ₹20,000 Waivable at ₹25,00,000 spend
    White Reserve ₹12,500 Waivable at ₹10,00,000 spend
    White Reserve saves ₹7,500/yr
  • Forex markup
    Times Black 1.49%
    White Reserve 2%
    Times Black saves ~₹510 per ₹1L abroad
  • Domestic lounge
    Times Black Unlimited
    White Reserve Unlimited

Reward earning explained

Per card
Times Black

2 pts / ₹100

Strong data
White Reserve

2%

Strong data

Pick based on what matters

5 dimensions

Start 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).

  • 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).

  • 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%).

  • Lounge access Tie

    Both cards are similar for lounge access

    Domestic lounge access is unlimited.

  • 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%.

  • 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.