The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime-free card designed for high spenders looking for a mix of lifestyle and travel perks within India. It offers decent rewards on both online and offline spends, especially when your monthly expenditure exceeds ₹20,000. While the reward rate is on the lower side (₹0.25 per point), the unlimited validity and no capping make it more flexible than many competitors.
The card is best suited for users who can spend consistently, as most benefits—like complimentary lounge access and accelerated rewards—are tied to meeting specific monthly spend thresholds. However, the redemption options are limited mainly to the product catalog, which reduces the overall value.
Post the May 2024 devaluation, the card's reward structure and lifestyle benefits have taken a hit. Movie benefits and lounge access are now limited and conditional. Moreover, despite the low forex markup, it lacks any solid international travel perks, making it less appealing for frequent global travelers.
With a relatively high income requirement of ₹12 LPA, the card competes with semi-premium offerings but doesn’t fully match up in terms of features. Still, it covers daily transactions like utility bill payments and wallet reloads for reward points, which many other cards exclude.
If you want a no-fee credit card and spend heavily each month, this card can still offer value—but casual or light spenders may find the benefits underwhelming.
IDFC FIRST Bank Select Credit Card Rewards Program
Rewards Program:
10X rewards on purchases exceeding ₹20,000 per billing cycle
10X rewards on birthday spends
3X rewards on all online purchases up to ₹20,000/month
1X rewards on utility bill payments (1% charge on spends above ₹20,000/month)
3X rewards on education, wallet loads & government services (excluded from 10X rewards calculation)
1X = 1 reward point per ₹150 spent, with 1 RP = ₹0.25
Other Features and Benefits
Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access: 2 visits per quarter (on spending ₹20,000 in the previous month)
Complimentary Railway Lounge Access: 4 visits per quarter
Low Forex Markup Fee: Just 1.99% on international transactions
Movie Benefits: Buy 1 Get 1 free offer (up to ₹125), twice a month
Personal Accident Insurance: Coverage up to ₹5 lakh
Lost Card Liability Cover: Complimentary cover of ₹50,000
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Up to ₹300/month at all Indian fuel stations
ATM Cash Withdrawal: Interest-free for up to 48 days
Comprehensive Travel Insurance Cover: ₹22,500 (₹7,500 for loss of checked-in baggage, ₹5,000 for baggage delay, ₹5,000 for passport/document loss, ₹5,000 for flight delay)
Fees and Charges
Type of Fee
Amount
Joining fee
NIL
Over limit fee
NIL
Reward redemption fee
NIL
Foreign exchange markup
1.99%
Late payment fee
15% of Total Amount Due (subject to a minimum Rs.100 and a maximum of Rs.1,000)
International and domestic cash advance fee
Rs.250
Things to Know Before you apply
Get this card if:
You want a lifetime-free credit card
Your monthly credit card spends exceed ₹20,000
You already own another credit card with international travel benefits
Eligibility Criteria
Age: 21 to 70 years
Occupation: Salaried or Self-employed
Credit Score: Should have a good credit history
Document Required For IDFC FIRST Bank Select Credit Card
Proof of Identity: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Driver’s License, Passport, Voter ID
Proof of Address: Aadhaar Card, Driver’s License, Passport
Proof of Income: Latest 3 salary slips, Last 3 months’ bank statement
IDFC FIRST Bank Select Credit Card Hilights
What do we like about this card?
10X reward points on all birthday transactions
1 reward point for every ₹100 spent
Complimentary domestic airport lounge access
Up to 20% discount at 1,500+ restaurants across India
Pros
Lifetime-free credit card with joining benefits worth up to ₹1,500
Accelerated reward points with no category restrictions
Low forex markup fee of 1.99%
Complimentary airport and railway lounge access
10X rewards on birthday spends
Earn rewards on utility bill payments and wallet reloads
Cons
Low reward redemption value (1 RP = ₹0.25)
No international lounge access benefits
Low reward rate for monthly spends below ₹20,000
Limited options for reward redemption
Idfc Bank Credit Card Contact Details
Contact Address: IDFC FIRST Bank Ltd. Naman Chambers, C-32, G Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra (East), Mumbai – 400051, Maharashtra, India Helpline (24x7): 1800 10 888 (Toll-Free for all customers)
Simply SMS: Send “IDFCCREDIT” to 5676732 from your registered mobile number
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about this credit card
It’s a good lifetime free option for beginners who want rewards and benefits. The card is especially useful for high spenders (above ₹20,000 per month) because of its incremental reward structure.
You need a minimum annual income of ₹12 lakh to apply.
10X rewards on spends above ₹20,000 in a month and on birthday spends
3X rewards on monthly spends up to ₹20,000
1X rewards (1 point per ₹125) on insurance and utility bill payments
Reward points never expire.
Yes. You get:
4 complimentary railway lounge visits every quarter
2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter (on monthly spends of ₹20,000)
Yes. Buy 1 Get 1 free on BookMyShow, up to ₹125, twice per month.
The foreign currency markup fee is 1.99%.
Select: Requires ₹12 lakh annual income, standard benefits
Wealth: Premium variant, requires ₹36 lakh annual income
Wealth offers a lower forex fee, better rewards, and extra lifestyle perks
Both cards are lifetime free.
You can apply online through the official IDFC FIRST Bank website or by contacting customer care.
How Can I Apply for a Credit Card Online?
✔Step 1: Enter your mobile number in the application form
✔Step 2: Provide your personal details
✔Step 3: Enter OTP to verify your mobile number
✔Step 4: Select the credit card
✔Step 5: Compare offers and apply for the best-suited credit card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Airport Lounge Access
Entertainment
Reward Points
