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IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card Review (2026)

IDFC FIRST's premium card punches way above its weight. 4x on everything, 8x on dining and online — all for just 999/year.

Last updated: 2026-04-19· By PointsWallah Editorial

₹999
Annual Fee
4x
Base Rate / ₹100
0.8%
Effective Return
8
Domestic Lounges

Fee Details

Annual Fee₹999
Joining Fee₹999
Fee WaiverSpend 2L in a year
Income Required6L/year
NetworkVisa
Fuel Surcharge WaiverYes

Reward Rates

Currency: IDFC FIRST Reward Points

All spends
4x
per ₹100
Online spends
8x
per ₹100
Dining
8x
per ₹100
Point value: 1 IDFC point ≈ ₹0.20 (optimal). So 4x per ₹100 = 0.8% effective return on base spends. See all redemption values →

Milestone Benefits

Spend ₹2L (annual)Bonus

1,500 bonus reward points on spending 2L

Lounge Access

Domestic
8 visits/year
International
0 visits/year
Network: DreamFolks — 8 domestic lounge visits per year
How lounge access works →

Our Review

The IDFC FIRST Select is one of the most underrated premium cards in India. At 999/year (waived at a very achievable 2L spend), you get 4x on all spends — matching the HDFC Regalia which costs 2,500. The 8x on dining and online spends is genuinely competitive with cards costing 3-5x more. The weak link is IDFC's reward point ecosystem — redemption options are limited and point values are lower than HDFC or Axis. But if you're strategic about redemptions and value the raw earn rate, this card offers premium-level rewards at a mid-tier price. IDFC has been aggressively improving their card portfolio, and this is their best offering right now.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • + 4x base rate on all spends is incredible for a 999 fee card
  • + 8x on online spends and dining — matches premium cards
  • + 8 domestic lounge visits
  • + Easy 2L fee waiver threshold

Cons

  • - No international lounge access
  • - IDFC reward points have limited redemption options compared to HDFC
  • - Point value is lower than HDFC/Axis points (~0.20-0.25 per point)
  • - IDFC FIRST Bank app still lags behind HDFC/ICICI in UX

Best For

diningonline shoppingeveryday spend

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card worth it in 2026?

It depends on your spending. The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card costs ₹999/year (waiver: Spend 2L in a year). With an effective base return of 0.8%, you'd need to spend approximately ₹1.2L per year just to break even on the fee. If your annual spend exceeds that, the card earns you money.

What is the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card annual fee?

The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹999. Joining fee is also ₹999. Fee waiver: Spend 2L in a year.

What is the minimum salary required for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

The minimum annual income required for the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is ₹6L. However, if you have an existing banking relationship with IDFC FIRST Bank, you may get approved at a lower income level.

Disclaimer: This review is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Card features, fees, and reward structures may change without notice. Please verify all details on IDFC FIRST Bank's website before applying. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links — this does not affect our editorial assessment.