RBL Classic Zomato Credit Card Review: Perks, Fees & Rewards

Update: This card was heavily devalued from 20th Sep 2022 and lost most of its headline benefits. It may no longer be as useful for many users.

There’s a saying that “there is no such thing as a free lunch,” but when the RBL Zomato Edition credit card launched it came close—offering strong dining rewards and the ability to redeem credits for free meals. Below is a clear summary of the card’s features, rewards, redemption and application experience.

Overview

Type	Dining Credit Card
Reward Rate	1% to 10%
Annual Fee	Nil (varies by offer)
Best for	Dining & birthday spends
USP	Accelerated rewards on birthdays

This card is focused on dining benefits. It offered elevated rewards for Zomato orders and offline dining, making it appealing to frequent restaurant-goers and those who value Zomato credits.

Joining Fee

Joining Fee	500 INR + GST (was LTF in some periods)
Welcome Benefit	500 INR worth Zomato Credits
Renewal Fee	500 INR + GST

The welcome credits roughly offset the joining fee when offered. At times the card has been issued as lifetime free, so fee terms varied by promotion.

Design

The physical card features a light, creamy finish. Despite initial concerns about dirt or wear, the look holds up well in regular use.

Rewards

Regular rewards

Dining Spends (Zomato)	5%
Dining Spends (Offline restaurants)	5%
Birthday Spends	10%
Online spends	1.5%
Offline spends	1%

Rewards earned were credited as Edition Cash and could be viewed within the Zomato app. The card displayed reward amounts in real time for each transaction, offering clear and immediate visibility of earnings.

Milestone rewards

• 2,000 INR Edition Cash on spending 200,000 INR annually

This milestone effectively added about 1% back on top of existing rates for heavy spenders, improving the overall return on everyday and online purchases up to the indicated threshold.

Zomato Pro

Cardholders also received Zomato Pro membership, which adds dining discounts and offers within the Zomato ecosystem. While it doesn’t match benefits like unlimited free delivery offered by some competing services, the membership adds meaningful value for frequent users.

Redemption

Redemption was fast and simple.

Edition Cash converted to Zomato Credits with a tap and became available instantly for use on the Zomato app. These credits acted like cash at checkout and could be combined with other promo codes, making them easy to apply toward orders.

Many users reported using credits to cover entire orders, effectively getting free meals when credits were available.

Onboarding experience

Onboarding was notably smooth. The application flowed from Aadhaar details and OTP verification, completing quickly for most applicants. A video KYC step was later introduced, which added time but remained a straightforward process taking under ten minutes in most cases.

No prior relationship with RBL Bank was necessary to get the card; delivery to the user typically took about a week after approval.

How to apply?

• Open the Zomato app and check the “Money” tab to see the invite and apply.

Zomato rolled out card access in phases. If you don’t see the invite immediately, it often appears within weeks as invitations expand. At times Zomato introduced additional card variants and upgrade paths for existing holders.

Bottomline

• Cardexpert Rating: 3.5/5 (after devaluation)

The RBL Zomato Edition card was a strong dining-focused product in its prime, particularly useful for those who frequently order on Zomato or dine out. It provided straightforward rewards and an easy redemption path for Zomato credits. Since the significant devaluation in September 2022, the card’s appeal has diminished for many users, but it remains an example of a co-branded product that once delivered clear, practical value.

Update: The Sun is setting on 20th Sep 2022. 😐

If you currently hold the RBL Zomato Edition Classic or Black card, consider your card’s current fees and benefits to decide whether to keep using it or look for alternatives.