India’s affluent class is growing at an unprecedented pace. Rising incomes, global exposure, and digital lifestyles are reshaping how families in cities like Bengaluru think about money. For this segment, financial tools are no longer just about transactions: they are about access, recognition, and experiences that match their ambitions.
Over the past few years, the credit card business in India has been expanding at a healthy pace, reflecting both rising consumption and greater comfort with digital payments. Card spends are not just being led by young, urban professionals but increasingly by business families and established professionals who use credit cards to manage household cash flows and lifestyle expenses. And more importantly, penetration levels in India are still a fraction of what we see in mature markets, which gives this segment significant headroom for sustained growth.
However, for many affluent customers, the reality has been underwhelming. Despite their high contribution to consumption and investment, they often feel underserved by their banks. What they truly desire is not another product with generic benefits but a solution that understands their lives holistically; the value that is visible, rewards that are meaningful, and privileges that extend to their families.
It is this gap that Kotak Mahindra Bank has actively addressed with the launch of Kotak Solitaire, a carefully crafted proposition for affluent households. At its heart is the Kotak Solitaire Credit Card, an invite only credit card for Solitaire customers, designed to give families an experience that is richer, more seamless, and more relevant to their evolving needs.
The Solitaire credit card breaks away from convention in several ways. To begin with, it offers significant value on essentials- no annual fee, savings of up to ₹30,000 a year, and a fuel surcharge waiver. The rewards program has been built for those who travel frequently with family and spend across premium categories, offering 10% on travel bookings via Kotak’s own platform, 3% on all other expenses, and no redemption charges. Beyond the numbers, this means customers do not have to second-guess the worth of their rewards; the value is direct, transparent, and tangible.
Recognizing that global mobility is a defining feature of affluent households, Solitaire credit card also brings unlimited lounge access worldwide, the offer including family members and guests. And top up to this, include exclusive hotel tie-ups, zero forex markup, and generous credit limits, and the proposition extends seamlessly from daily convenience to global travel. Families can also enjoy consolidated rewards through add-on cards, reinforcing Kotak’s belief that affluent banking should serve the household, not just the individual.
For a city like Bengaluru, the relevance is even sharper. With its thriving IT sector, strong base of entrepreneurs, and rapidly growing auto and services industries, Bengaluru has seen a significant rise in affluent households over the past decade. Many of these families aspire to global experiences while maintaining strong local roots. Kotak Solitaire speaks directly to this ambition—it is not just about managing spends but about enabling lifestyles that blend efficiency, access, and recognition.
Kotak Mahindra Bank has always believed that the affluent segment deserves more than incremental benefits. Solitaire reflects a conscious move from transactional banking to relationship-driven engagement. It is a platform that acknowledges the aspirations of affluent Indians and designs for their future, not just their present.
India’s credit card market is entering a phase of transformation. While penetration remains relatively low, the demand for premium, differentiated products is accelerating. Affluent customers are seeking more than just payment instruments; they want solutions that mirror their aspirations and lifestyles. With Solitaire, Kotak Mahindra Bank is shaping the next standard for how banks engage with the country’s emerging affluent class.
At its core, Solitaire is built on a simple belief: affluent families deserve a banking partner that understands their journeys, values their contributions, and enables their aspirations. Kotak Mahindra Bank is proud to be shaping that future: actively, thoughtfully, and with confidence that the affluent era of Indian banking has only just begun.
