IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
IDFC First Bank · Visa
Why this card?
- 1.25% back in reward points on dining and food delivery, travel and international spends; 0.38% on other spends
- Lifetime free — no joining or annual fee
- 4 domestic airport lounge visits a year
- Zero forex markup and 1% fuel surcharge waiver
Card details
- Issuer
- IDFC First Bank
- Network
- Visa
- Annual Fee
- Lifetime Free
- Joining Fee
- None
- Reward Type
- points
- Best Reward Rate
- 1.25% on dining
- Forex Markup
- Zero
- Domestic Lounge
- 4/yr
- Min. Monthly Income
- ₹1,00,000
- Rates verified
- 2026-10-06
Our verdict
IDFC First Select is a lifetime-free card with lounge access and a 0% forex markup — 10X points (about 1.25% back) on dining, travel, international purchases and birthday spends, and 4 domestic airport lounge visits a year, all at zero annual fee. It needs a monthly income of ₹1 lakh, and everyday spends earn only about 0.375% back, but for anyone who can't justify a paid premium card, Select is hard to beat.
Pros
- 10X reward points (about 1.25% back) on dining, travel, international purchases and birthday spends
- 3X (about 0.375% back) on other eligible spends
- 4 domestic airport lounge visits a year (1 per quarter) — rare at lifetime-free tier
- Zero annual fee forever
- 0% forex markup and a fuel surcharge waiver
Cons
- Everyday spends earn only about 0.375% back; fuel, EMI and cash withdrawals earn no points
- No international lounge access
- Rewards in points (not cashback) — must redeem through IDFC portal
- Needs a monthly income of ₹1 lakh
Frequently Asked Questions
Which merchants give 10X on IDFC First Select?
The preferred merchant list typically includes Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato, BookMyShow, and other popular platforms — but the list is updated by IDFC First Bank periodically. Always check the current list in the IDFC First mobile app before a major purchase.
How does 10X reward rate compare in real value?
At IDFC First Bank's standard redemption rate, 10X points = approximately 5% effective value. This matches or exceeds the reward rate of several cards with ₹2,500–5,000 annual fees, making Select one of the best-value cards in India.
What is the minimum income to apply for IDFC First Select?
The minimum net monthly income requirement is ₹25,000. IDFC First Bank has a reputation for being more approachable with approvals than HDFC or Axis. Existing IDFC First Bank savings account holders with a healthy balance typically see faster and easier approvals.