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IDFC First Select Credit Card: Fees, Rewards & Benefits

Travel card with lounge access

Vyaya Team · Jun 2026
5 min read
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Value Score
9.0 / 10
Annual Fee
₹0
Best For
No-fee first card seeker, Occasional traveller
Network
Visa
Expert Verdict

The IDFC First Select is a solid lifetime-free card that punches above its zero cost with lounge access, robust travel insurance and a low 1.99% forex markup. The catch is a 0.25/point value that limits even the 10X rate to roughly 1.25% back.

IDFC FIRST BANKVisa
IDFC First Select
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REWARD SUMMARY
0.375% Base Rewards
Travel card with lounge access
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The Bottom Line

The IDFC First Select is built for no-fee first card seeker and occasional traveller. With no annual fee, it offers 1.25% rewards on other and a welcome benefit worth ₹500. It makes the most sense if your spending matches no-fee first card seeker and occasional traveller.

It earns a base reward rate of 0.375% and stacks best when your spending lines up with No-fee first card seeker, Occasional traveller.

What we like
+Lifetime-free card (zero joining and annual fee) that still bundles 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits and railway lounge access (4/quarter)
+Accelerated 10X Reward Points (10 RP per Rs.200) on eligible spends versus the 3 RP per Rs.200 base rate
+Low 1.99% forex markup, notably cheaper than the typical 3.5%, useful for occasional international use
+Strong free insurance bundle including Rs.1 crore air accident cover and Rs.5 lakh personal accident cover
+Zero interest on ATM cash withdrawals (only a flat Rs.199 fee) and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver worth ~Rs.3,600/year
What we don't
–Low point value of just 0.25/point caps even the 10X rate at ~1.25% effective return
–Fuel, EMI and (beyond limits) FASTag/railway spends earn no or reduced points, with 1% fees on high FASTag/railway usage
–No international lounge access despite travel positioning
–No milestone benefits or annual bonus structure

Who Should Get This Card

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

Best fit for

Ideal
+
No-fee first card seeker

Anyone wanting a genuinely lifetime-free card with lounge access, travel insurance and low 1.99% forex for the rare trip.

+
Occasional traveller

Users who value 4 domestic lounges and railway lounge access without paying any fee.

Probably not for

Skip
–
Rewards maximiser

The 0.25/point value keeps returns modest (~1.25% even at 10X), so points-focused users will earn more elsewhere.

–
Heavy fuel/FASTag user

Fuel earns nothing and high FASTag/railway spends attract 1% fees with no accelerated rewards.

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
Welcome bonus (Year 1)+₹500
Annual feeFREE
Net Value (Year 1)+₹500
Net Value (Year 2+)+₹0

Sign in for personalized estimates based on your actual spending

Reward Rates

IDFC First Select offers 0.375% basic reward rate.

Quick Calculator

Estimate earnings for a specific purchase

₹
Other
1.25%
Other
1.25%
Insurance
0.12%
Utility
0.12%
Travel
0.12%
Travel
0.12%

Welcome Offer

Welcome Benefit

₹500 gift voucher on spending ₹5,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance. Additionally, 5% cashback (up to ₹1,000) on the first EMI transaction done within 30 days of card generation.

Value: ₹500

Fees & Charges

Joining fee₹0
Annual fee₹0
Fee waiverN/A

Eligibility

  • Min Income: ₹12 Lakhs
  • Min Credit Score: 750
  • Age 21+; annual income ₹12L+; CIBIL 750+; lifetime free card with lounge access and low 1.99% forex markup.

Exclusions & Terms

Forex markup

  • Foreign currency markup

EMI Transactions

  • Does not earn Reward Points.

Frequently Asked Questions

3 data-backed answers from our card database

What is the annual fee of the IDFC First Select?+

The IDFC First Select has no annual fee (lifetime free).

What rewards does the IDFC First Select offer?+

It earns Reward Points, with accelerated earning on Travel, Utilities, Rewards.

Does the IDFC First Select offer airport lounge access?+

Yes, it includes complimentary airport lounge access. See the benefits section for visit limits.

Ready to apply?

No annual fee. Apply on the IDFC First Bank website.

Apply on IDFC First Bank →

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