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IDFC First Hello Cashback Credit Card Review

Travel card

The IDFC First Hello Cashback has a ₹1,000 annual fee + GST, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. It earns 1% back on regular spends and up to 5% on Online. Best for: online shoppers wanting cashback on a secured card — our verdict: recommended.

Vyaya Team · Aug 2026
5 min read
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Value Score
9.0 / 10
Annual Fee
₹1,000
Best For
Online Shopper, FD-Backed Cardholder
Network
RuPay
Expert Verdict

The IDFC First Hello Cashback is a low-fee, FD-backed cashback card offering up to 5% on online spends (capped) and rich bundled insurance. The 1% base rate, monthly cap, lack of lounges and 3.5% forex markup mean it pays off mainly for online shoppers who can hit the Rs 2 lakh waiver.

IDFC FIRST BANKRuPay
IDFC First Hello Cashback
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REWARD SUMMARY
1% Base Rewards
Travel card
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The Bottom Line

The IDFC First Hello Cashback is built for online shopper and fd-backed cardholder. With a ₹1,000 annual fee that is waived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spend, it offers 3% rewards on online and airport lounge access. It makes the most sense if your spending matches online shopper and fd-backed cardholder.

It earns a base reward rate of 1% and stacks best when your spending lines up with Online Shopper, FD-Backed Cardholder. The renewal fee gets easier to justify once you can hit ₹2,00,000 in yearly spend.

What we like
+Cashback is worth Rs 1 each, with accelerated online earning of up to 5% on online spends (capped at 1,000 cashback a month)
+Low Rs 1,000 joining and Rs 1,000 annual fee, waived on spends of Rs 2,00,000
+Strong bundled insurance: Rs 2 lakh personal accident, Rs 50,000 credit shield, Rs 25,000 purchase protection and Rs 25,000 lost-card liability
+FD-backed structure means the underlying fixed deposit keeps earning interest while the credit limit equals 100% of the FD
+Complimentary roadside assistance worth Rs 1,399, up to 4 times a year
What we don't
–Base cashback is only 1% (1 per Rs 100) on non-online spends
–No airport lounge access at all
–Essential categories (utilities, education, insurance, rent, government, FASTag, railway) earn just 1% and are excluded from the accelerated online tiers
–High 3.5% foreign currency markup

Who Should Get This Card

Use this as a quick filter before comparing rewards or fees in detail.

Best fit for

Ideal
+
Online Shopper

Users with heavy online spending who can capture up to 5% cashback (within the 1,000-a-month cap) and clear the Rs 2 lakh fee waiver

+
FD-Backed Cardholder

Those wanting a secured card whose fixed deposit continues earning interest while providing the credit limit

Probably not for

Skip
–
Lounge Seeker

Travellers wanting lounge access, which the card does not provide

–
Bill-Heavy Spender

Those spending mostly on utilities, rent or insurance, which earn only the 1% base rate

Is It Worth It For You?

Slide to your typical monthly card spend. We'll do the rest.

Calculate Your Value

Adjust your typical monthly spend by category.

Dining
0₹5,000Max ₹50k
Est. Returns
Travel
0₹10,000Max ₹1L
Est. Returns
Online & Shopping
0₹8,000Max ₹80k
Est. Returns
Groceries
0₹6,000Max ₹40k
Est. Returns
Annual rewards₹0
Annual fee-₹1,000
Net Value (Year 1)₹-1,000
Net Value (Year 2+)₹-1,000
Progress to fee waiver0%

Spend ₹2,00,000 more to waive annual fee

Sign in for personalized estimates based on your actual spending

Reward Rates

IDFC First Hello Cashback offers 1% basic reward rate.

Quick Calculator

Estimate earnings for a specific purchase

₹
Online
3%
Online
5%
IDFC FIRST Bank app (Travel)
1%

Welcome Offer

Welcome Benefit

Fees & Charges

Joining fee₹1,000
Annual fee₹1,000
Fee waiverSpend > ₹2,00,000

Eligibility

  • FD-backed secured card; min FD of ₹10,000; no income proof or credit score required; age 18–80; annual fee ₹1,000 (waived on ₹2L spend).

Exclusions & Terms

Forex markup

  • Foreign currency markup

EMI Transactions

  • Excluded from cashback and from annual fee-waiver spend calculation.

Cash Advances / Cash Withdrawals

  • Excluded from cashback and from annual fee-waiver spend calculation.

Frequently Asked Questions

6 data-backed answers from our card database

What is the annual fee of the IDFC First Hello Cashback credit card?+

The IDFC First Hello Cashback has a ₹1,000 annual fee + GST, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.

What rewards does the IDFC First Hello Cashback credit card give?+

It earns 1 Cashback per ₹100 spent (about 1% back), and up to 5% on Online.

Does the IDFC First Hello Cashback credit card offer airport lounge access?+

No, the IDFC First Hello Cashback does not include complimentary airport lounge access.

What is the forex markup on the IDFC First Hello Cashback?+

3.5% + GST on international transactions.

How can I get the IDFC First Hello Cashback annual fee waived?+

Spend ₹2,00,000 or more in a card year and the ₹1,000 renewal fee is waived.

Is the IDFC First Hello Cashback credit card worth it?+

The IDFC First Hello Cashback has a ₹1,000 annual fee + GST, waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. It earns 1% back on regular spends and up to 5% on Online. Best for: online shoppers wanting cashback on a secured card — our verdict: recommended.

Ready to apply?

₹1,000 annual fee. Apply on the IDFC First Bank website.

Apply on IDFC First Bank →

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