Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card Review (2026)
A hidden gem — premium card benefits at entry-level pricing. 4x on everything, 8+4 lounge visits, all for just 999/year. Yes Bank's comeback card.
Last updated: 2026-04-24· By PointsWallah Editorial
Fee Details
| Annual Fee | ₹999 |
| Joining Fee | ₹999 |
| Fee Waiver | Spend 2.5L in a year |
| Income Required | ₹8L/year |
| Network | Visa |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes |
Reward Rates
Currency: Yes Reward Points
Milestone Benefits
2,500 bonus reward points on spending 2.5L
Lounge Access
Our Review
The Yes FIRST Preferred is one of the most aggressively priced premium cards in India. At 999/year, you get 4x base rate (matching HDFC Regalia at 2,500) and 8+4 lounge visits (better than many 3K-5K cards). Yes Bank priced this card aggressively to win back customers after their 2020 moratorium crisis. The elephant in the room is trust — some people are still wary of Yes Bank after the RBI intervention. From a practical standpoint, your credit card deposits are not at risk (they're credit, not deposits), so the financial stability concern is somewhat overblown. If you can look past the brand perception, this card offers objectively the best rewards-per-rupee-of-fee ratio in India.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- + 4x base rate at just 999/year — exceptional value for money
- + 8x on travel and dining beats most cards at this price point
- + 8 domestic + 4 international lounge visits at 999 fee — unheard of
- + Competitive with cards costing 3-5x more
Cons
- - Yes Bank's financial stability concerns (post-moratorium) may worry some
- - Yes Reward Points have limited redemption ecosystem
- - Customer service can be inconsistent
- - Card benefits have been revised multiple times — stability uncertain
Best For
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card worth it in 2026?
It depends on your spending. The Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card costs ₹999/year (waiver: Spend 2.5L in a year). With an effective base return of 1.0%, you'd need to spend approximately ₹99,900 per year just to break even on the fee. If your annual spend exceeds that, the card earns you money.
What is the Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card annual fee?
The Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹999. Joining fee is also ₹999. Fee waiver: Spend 2.5L in a year.
What is the minimum salary required for Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card?
The minimum annual income required for the Yes FIRST Preferred Credit Card is ₹8L. However, if you have an existing banking relationship with Yes 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 Yes Bank's website before applying. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links — this does not affect our editorial assessment.