IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime-free credit card with up to 10X reward points, domestic airport and railway lounge access, movie offers, low 1.99% forex markup, welcome benefits, UPI support, and Travel & Shop bonus rewards. We review fees, rewards, hidden conditions, and Benchmarksutra score.
Quick Verdict
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a strong lifetime-free card for users with ₹12 lakh+ annual income who want travel, lounge, movie, EMI, UPI, and reward benefits without paying an annual fee. But its reward value is not as high as the “10X” headline sounds because 1 reward point is worth ₹0.25, reward redemption has a ₹99 + GST fee, and many categories either earn lower rewards or do not count towards 10X.
Pros
- Lifetime-free credit card
- No joining fee
- No annual fee
- Up to 10X reward points on eligible spends
- 10X reward points on birthday spends
- 10X on eligible dining,travel and international spends after the updated reward rules
- Domestic airport lounge access
- Domestic railway lounge access
- Dining discounts of up to 20% across 1,500 restaurants
- 300+ merchant offers
- Welcome benefit worth up to ₹1,500
- Low forex markup of 1.99%
- Trip cancellation cover up to ₹10,000
- Interest-free ATM cash withdrawal for up to 45 days if repaid by due date
- Fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹300 per month
- UPI activation option through linked digital RuPay credit card
Cons
- Annual income requirement is ₹12 lakh or more
- 1 Reward Point is worth only ₹0.25
- Reward redemption fee of ₹99 + GST applies
- Reward points are valid for 24 months under updated terms
- Lounge access requires ₹20,000 previous-month spend
- Forex markup is 1.99% not zero
- Fuel, EMI transactions and cash withdrawals do not earn reward points
- Utility , insurance , FASTag and railway spends earn only 1X
- Rent , government services, education and wallet load earn 3X but do not count towards 10X
- Travel & Shop bonus rewards have caps and conditions
- Cash withdrawal has a ₹199 + GST transaction fee
- Not ideal for users who want simple cashback
Best For
Salaried or self-employed users with ₹12 lakh+ annual income, moderate travellers, railway lounge users, movie-goers, EMI users, dining/travel/international spenders, and users who want a premium lifetime-free IDFC FIRST credit card.
Avoid If
You want simple cashback, zero forex, unlimited lounge access, high reward value on utilities/insurance, or a card with easy eligibility for beginners.
Meta title: IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card Review: Fees, Rewards, Lounge & Score
Meta description: Read our IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card review covering lifetime-free fees, 10X rewards, lounge access, movie offers, 1.99% forex, hidden conditions, and Benchmarksutra score.
Meta keywords: IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card, FIRST Select Credit Card review, IDFC Select fees, IDFC Select rewards, lifetime free credit card India, lounge access credit card India, railway lounge credit card, 10X reward points credit card, low forex credit card India, Benchmarksutra credit card score
Quick Verdict
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a good premium-lite lifetime-free card.
It is useful if you want:
- no joining fee
- no annual fee
- up to 10X reward points
- domestic airport lounge access
- railway lounge access
- movie offers
- dining discounts
- low forex markup
- Travel & Shop bonus rewards
- UPI support through linked digital RuPay card
But do not judge this card only by the 10X headline.
1 Reward Point is worth ₹0.25.
Reward redemption has a ₹99 + GST fee.
Several categories either earn lower rewards or do not count towards 10X.
Benchmarksutra Score: 82/100 — A Tier
What Is IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?
The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime-free credit card from IDFC FIRST Bank.
It sits above entry-level cards and below the bank’s more premium Wealth, Ashva, Mayura, Gaj and Diamond Reserve cards.
The card is designed for users who want premium-style benefits without paying annual fees.
Its headline benefits include:
- lifetime-free pricing
- up to 10X reward points
- domestic airport lounge access
- domestic railway lounge access
- movie offers
- dining discounts
- Travel & Shop bonus rewards
- low forex markup
- EMI benefits
- UPI support through linked digital RuPay card
- trip cancellation cover
The card is positioned for users with annual income of ₹12 lakh or more.
That makes it less beginner-friendly than secured or entry-level cards, but more attractive for eligible salaried and self-employed users.
If you are new to card comparison, first read How to Compare Credit Cards in India.
Official source used for this review:
https://www.idfcfirst.bank.in/credit-card/lifetime-free-credit-card/first-select
Reviewed Card
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Badge | Reviewed Card |
| Product Name | IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card |
| Approx Price | Lifetime free |
| Button Text | Check Details |
Specs
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Benchmarksutra Score | 82/100 |
| Grade | A Tier |
| Card Type | Lifetime-free premium-lite credit card |
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Eligibility | Annual income of ₹12 lakh or more |
| Reward Rate | Up to 10X reward points |
| Base Unit | 1X = 1 RP per ₹200 |
| Reward Point Value | ₹0.25 |
| Forex Markup | 1.99% |
| Domestic Airport Lounge | 4 visits per year |
| Railway Lounge | 16 visits per year |
| Movie Offer | BOGO up to ₹125 twice a month |
| Dining Offer | Up to 20% off across 1,500 restaurants |
| Best For | Eligible users wanting lifetime-free travel/lifestyle benefits |
| Main Strength | No annual fee with useful lounge, movie and reward benefits |
| Main Weakness | Reward value is modest and condition-heavy |
Advantages
| Advantage |
|---|
| Lifetime-free pricing |
| Up to 10X reward points |
| Domestic airport lounge access |
| Railway lounge access |
| Movie and dining benefits |
| Travel & Shop bonus rewards |
| Low forex markup at 1.99% |
| Welcome benefit worth up to ₹1,500 |
| UPI activation option |
Challenges
| Challenge |
|---|
| ₹12 lakh annual income requirement |
| 1 RP = only ₹0.25 |
| Reward redemption fee applies |
| Lounge access requires previous-month spend |
| Reward points valid for 24 months |
| Many spends earn only 1X or 3X |
| Several categories excluded from 10X |
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card: Fees and Charges
| Fee / Charge | Amount / Rule |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Add-on Card Fee | ₹499 as per MITC table |
| Forex Markup | 1.99% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 + GST per redemption |
| Cash Withdrawal Fee | ₹199 + GST |
| Cash Withdrawal Interest | 0% interest for up to 45 days if repaid by due date |
| Finance Charges / APR | 8.5% to 46.2% per annum |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Up to ₹300 per month |
| UPI Activation | ₹199 for linked UPI credit card activation, as per displayed offer |
| UPI Linked Card Annual Fee | ₹199 + GST from 2nd year onward, as per displayed offer |
| GST | 18% on applicable fees and charges |
The base FIRST Select card is lifetime free.
That is the card’s biggest strength.
But “lifetime free” does not mean every feature is free.
Reward redemption, cash withdrawal, UPI activation, interest, GST and category fees can still apply.
Read Credit Card Fees Explained in India before judging a card only by joining and annual fee.
Reward Structure
| Spend Category | Reward Rate / Rule | Practical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Regular eligible spends up to ₹20,000 per statement cycle | 3X reward points | 0.375% |
| Eligible incremental spends above ₹20,000 per statement cycle | 10X reward points | 1.25% |
| Birthday spends | 10X reward points | 1.25% |
| Dining spends after updated rules | 10X from first eligible transaction | 1.25% |
| Travel spends after updated rules | 10X from first eligible transaction | 1.25% |
| International spends after updated rules | 10X from first eligible transaction | 1.25% before forex cost |
| Rent and property management | 3X reward points | 0.375% |
| Government services | 3X reward points | 0.375% |
| Education | 3X reward points | 0.375% |
| Wallet load | 3X reward points | 0.375% |
| Utility bill payments | 1X reward point | 0.125% |
| Insurance premium payments | 1X reward point | 0.125% |
| FASTag recharges | 1X reward point | 0.125% |
| Railway spends | 1X reward point | 0.125% |
| Fuel | No reward points | 0% |
| EMI transactions | No reward points | 0% |
| Cash withdrawals | No reward points | 0% |
1X = 1 Reward Point per ₹200 spent.
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25.
So 10X does not mean 10% cashback.
It means roughly 1.25% value before redemption fees and category restrictions.
For reward basics, read Credit Card Reward Points Explained.
Benchmarksutra Take
IDFC FIRST Select is not a maximum-reward card.
It is a strong lifetime-free utility card.
The card works because it combines:
- no annual fee
- lounge access
- railway lounge access
- movie offers
- dining discounts
- low forex
- welcome benefits
- Travel & Shop bonus rewards
- UPI support
But the reward math is average.
10X sounds large, but the practical value is around 1.25%.
The correct way to judge this card is not:
“How big is 10X?”
The correct way is:
“Can I use the lounge, movie, dining, travel and UPI benefits without paying annual fee?”
For eligible users, the answer is often yes.
Travel & Shop Bonus Rewards
| Travel & Shop Category | Bonus Reward Rule |
|---|---|
| Hotel bookings via IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App | 33% bonus reward points |
| Flight bookings via IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App | 13% bonus reward points |
| Total earn on hotels | Up to 38% reward points |
| Total earn on flights | Up to 18% reward points |
| Monthly bonus reward point cap | 8,000 bonus reward points |
| Redemption value on Travel & Shop | 1 RP = ₹0.25 |
| Maximum booking value payable with reward points | Up to 70% |
| Monthly redemption cap | 1,00,000 reward points |
| Annual redemption cap | 2,00,000 reward points |
The “up to 38%” and “up to 18%” travel numbers assume the ₹20,000 statement-cycle milestone has been met and the user is eligible for 10 Reward Points on purchases and bookings.
This is useful, but not simple cashback.
Bonus reward points apply only under Travel & Shop conditions.
Cash + Points transactions are not eligible for bonus reward points.
EMI transactions or transactions converted to EMI do not earn bonus reward points.
Bonus reward points are credited after travel/check-in timelines, not instantly.
Lounge Access
| Lounge Type | Access Limit | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Airport Lounge | 4 visits per year | Spend ₹20,000 in previous month |
| Domestic Railway Lounge | 16 visits per year | Spend ₹20,000 in previous month |
| International Lounge | Not a core listed benefit | Consider higher IDFC cards |
The lounge benefit is useful because the card is lifetime free.
But the spend condition matters.
If you do not spend ₹20,000 in the previous month, lounge access may not be available when you need it.
This is not unconditional lounge access.
Movie, Dining and Lifestyle Benefits
| Benefit | What You Get | Condition / Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Movie Offer | Buy 1 Get 1 movie tickets | Up to ₹125, twice a month |
| Dining Discount | Up to 20% discount | Across 1,500 restaurants |
| Merchant Offers | 300+ brand offers | Offer-specific conditions apply |
| Health & Wellness | Up to 15% discount | Across 3,000+ outlets |
| Trip Cancellation Cover | Up to ₹10,000 | On eligible hotel and flight bookings |
| Roadside Assistance | Worth ₹1,399 | T&C apply |
| Welcome Voucher | ₹500 voucher | Spend ₹5,000 within 30 days |
| First EMI Cashback | 5% cashback up to ₹1,000 | First EMI within 30 days of card generation |
The lifestyle benefits are good because there is no annual fee.
But do not assign full value unless you actually use movies, dining, health offers, EMI and travel benefits.
UPI Benefits
| UPI Feature | Rule |
|---|---|
| UPI Activation | Available through linked credit card setup |
| Activation Cost | ₹199 as per displayed offer |
| UPI Linked Card Fee | ₹199 + GST from 2nd year onward as per displayed offer |
| First UPI Cashback | Up to ₹200 cashback on first 4 UPI transactions |
| UPI Rewards | Up to 3X reward points on spends |
| Supported Apps | Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, BHIM and other UPI apps |
UPI is useful, but treat it as a separate linked-card benefit.
The base FIRST Select card is lifetime free.
The UPI-linked digital credit card may have its own activation and renewal terms.
ATM Cash Withdrawal Rules
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cash Withdrawal Interest | 0% interest for up to 45 days if repaid by due date |
| Cash Withdrawal Fee | ₹199 + GST |
| Reward Points | No reward points on cash withdrawals |
| Best Use | Emergency only |
| Main Risk | Small withdrawals become costly due to fixed fee |
The interest-free ATM feature should not be misunderstood.
It does not mean cash withdrawal is free.
The ₹199 + GST cash withdrawal fee still applies.
Use this only for emergency liquidity.
Reward Value Example
| Spend Scenario | Reward Points | Rupee Value |
|---|---|---|
| ₹10,000 regular spends at 3X | 150 RP | ₹37.50 |
| ₹20,000 regular spends at 3X | 300 RP | ₹75 |
| ₹10,000 eligible spends at 10X | 500 RP | ₹125 |
| ₹20,000 eligible spends at 10X | 1,000 RP | ₹250 |
| ₹10,000 utility / insurance spends at 1X | 50 RP | ₹12.50 |
| ₹10,000 rent / education / wallet / government spends at 3X | 150 RP | ₹37.50 |
| ₹10,000 fuel spends | 0 RP | ₹0 |
| ₹10,000 EMI spends | 0 RP | ₹0 |
| ₹10,000 cash withdrawal | 0 RP | ₹0 |
The reward rate is not the main reason to get this card.
The better reason is: lifetime-free pricing plus useful benefits.
For deeper reward math, read How to Calculate the Value of 1 Reward Point.
Eligibility and Card Fit
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is not a beginner card.
The official page shows annual income requirement of ₹12 lakh or more.
This card is a good fit if you:
- have ₹12 lakh+ annual income
- want a lifetime-free card
- want domestic lounge access
- travel by train and can use railway lounges
- use movie offers
- use dining offers
- spend on eligible 10X categories
- want low forex markup
- want merchant offers
- want UPI support
This card is a weaker fit if you:
- are new to credit cards
- have low income eligibility
- want simple cashback
- want zero forex
- want premium international lounge benefits
- want high rewards on utilities, insurance, fuel or EMI
If your application is rejected, read Why Was My Credit Card Application Rejected?.
Key Benefits
1. Lifetime-free pricing
FIRST Select has no joining fee and no annual fee.
This makes it easy to hold long term.
2. Up to 10X reward points
The card offers up to 10X reward points on eligible spends.
But 10X should be read with point value.
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25.
3. Travel & Shop bonus rewards
Hotel and flight bookings through the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App can earn additional bonus reward points.
This is useful for users who book travel through the bank’s platform.
4. Domestic airport lounge access
The card offers 4 domestic airport lounge visits per year.
Spend condition applies.
5. Railway lounge access
The card offers 16 domestic railway lounge visits per year.
This is useful for frequent train travellers.
6. Movie and dining benefits
The card offers Buy 1 Get 1 movie tickets up to ₹125 twice a month and dining discounts across partner restaurants.
7. Low forex markup
The forex markup is 1.99%.
This is better than many standard credit cards, but not as strong as zero-forex cards.
8. Trip cancellation cover
The card offers trip cancellation cover of up to ₹10,000 on eligible hotel and flight bookings.
9. UPI support
The card can be linked for UPI through the UPI activation route shown by IDFC FIRST Bank.
10. EMI and cash withdrawal flexibility
The card offers EMI conversion and interest-free ATM cash withdrawal for up to 45 days if repaid by due date.
But transaction fees and EMI charges can still apply.
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card: Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Lifetime-free credit card | ₹12 lakh annual income requirement |
| No joining or annual fee | Reward value is modest |
| Up to 10X reward points | 1 RP = ₹0.25 only |
| Domestic airport lounge access | Lounge access requires previous-month spend |
| Railway lounge access | Reward redemption fee applies |
| Movie and dining offers | Reward points valid for 24 months |
| Low forex markup at 1.99% | Not a zero-forex card |
| Travel & Shop bonus rewards | Travel bonuses have caps and conditions |
| Welcome voucher and EMI cashback | Fuel, EMI and cash withdrawals earn no rewards |
| UPI support | UPI-linked card may have separate fees |
Do Not Overvalue 10X
10X sounds powerful.
But on FIRST Select:
1X = 1 Reward Point per ₹200.
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25.
So 10X means 10 Reward Points per ₹200.
That equals ₹2.50 value on ₹200 spend.
Effective value: about 1.25%.
That is decent for a lifetime-free card.
But it is not premium cashback.
This card is better judged as a lifetime-free benefit card, not a high-reward card.
Hidden Conditions to Check Before Applying
1. Lounge access needs spend
Domestic airport and railway lounge access require ₹20,000 previous-month spend.
2. 10X does not apply everywhere
Fuel, EMI transactions and cash withdrawals do not earn reward points.
3. Some categories earn only 1X
Utility bill payments, insurance premium payments, FASTag recharges and railway spends earn only 1X reward point.
4. Some categories earn 3X but do not count towards 10X
Rental and property management, government services, education and wallet load earn 3X reward points.
But they do not count towards the 10X threshold.
5. Reward redemption fee applies
Reward redemption attracts a ₹99 + GST fee.
This reduces practical value for small redemptions.
6. Reward points expire
Under updated terms, FIRST Select reward points are valid for 24 months from the date of credit.
7. Rewards are limited to credit limit spends
Reward points are earned only up to the assigned credit limit in a billing cycle.
Additional spends beyond this may not earn rewards.
8. Travel & Shop has separate rules
Bonus reward points on hotel and flight bookings apply only through the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App Travel & Shop platform.
Cash + Points transactions are not eligible for bonus reward points.
EMI transactions and transactions converted to EMI do not earn bonus reward points.
9. Forex is low, not zero
The card has 1.99% forex markup.
If your main use case is international spends, compare it with zero-forex cards.
10. Cash withdrawal is not free
ATM cash withdrawal may be interest-free up to 45 days if repaid by due date.
But the ₹199 + GST cash withdrawal fee still applies.
For more examples, read Excluded Categories in Credit Cards.
Source note: This review uses the official IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card page, IDFC FIRST Bank MITC, Product Guide, Card Member Agreement, and Travel & Shop T&C as official source references. Always check the latest bank page before applying because fees, rewards, exclusions and offers can change.
Benchmarksutra Credit Card Score
| Scoring Category | Maximum Points | What it measures | FIRST Select Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reward Value | 20 | Real cashback, reward rate, reward caps, point value, milestone value | 14 |
| Fee Value | 15 | Joining fee, annual fee, waiver, breakeven spend, renewal value | 15 |
| Redemption Quality | 10 | Cashback, vouchers, miles, statement credit, expiry, redemption fees | 6 |
| Use–Case Fit | 15 | How well the card fits the specific article use case | 14 |
| Eligibility & Accessibility | 10 | Income requirement, approval difficulty, beginner access, upgrade path | 6 |
| Benefits & Perks | 10 | Lounge, dining, travel, movies, insurance, milestones, welcome benefits | 10 |
| Hidden Costs & Conditions | 10 | Forex, rent charges, wallet rules, exclusions, caps, devaluation risk | 8 |
| Bank & User Experience | 10 | App, support, dispute handling, card controls, bank reliability | 9 |
| Total Benchmarksutra Score | 100 | Final card score | 82/100 |
For scoring logic, read Benchmarksutra Credit Card Score Explained and How We Review Credit Cards at Benchmarksutra.
Score Grade Explanation
| Score | Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 90–100 | S Tier | Strong card with high value and manageable conditions |
| 80–89 | A Tier | Good card for most eligible users |
| 70–79 | B Tier | Useful, but with trade-offs |
| 60–69 | C Tier | Works only for a specific user type |
| Below 60 | Avoid unless niche use case | Not recommended for most users |
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card scores 82/100, placing it in A Tier.
That means it is a good card for most eligible users.
The score is high mainly because the card is lifetime free and still offers lounge, movie, dining, travel, UPI and low-forex benefits.
It does not score higher because reward value is modest, eligibility is not beginner-friendly, and several benefits have conditions.
Key Numbers
| Stat | Value |
|---|---|
| Benchmarksutra Score | 82/100 |
| Grade | A Tier |
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual Fee | Nil |
| Eligibility | ₹12 lakh+ annual income |
| Forex Markup | 1.99% |
| Reward Rate | Up to 10X |
| Base Unit | 1X = 1 RP per ₹200 |
| Reward Point Value | ₹0.25 |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 + GST |
| Domestic Airport Lounge | 4 visits per year |
| Railway Lounge | 16 visits per year |
| Movie Offer | BOGO up to ₹125 twice a month |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Up to ₹300 per month |
| Cash Withdrawal Fee | ₹199 + GST |
| Reward Validity | 24 months |
Who Should Get This Card?
| Good Fit If |
|---|
| You have ₹12 lakh+ annual income |
| You want a lifetime-free card |
| You want lounge access without annual fee |
| You use railway lounges |
| You watch movies regularly |
| You use dining offers |
| You spend on eligible 10X categories |
| You book flights or hotels through IDFC FIRST Bank app |
| You want low forex markup |
| You want UPI support |
Who Should Avoid This Card?
| Avoid If |
|---|
| You want simple cashback |
| You want zero forex markup |
| You do not meet the income requirement |
| You want unconditional lounge access |
| You mostly spend on utilities and insurance |
| You mostly spend on fuel or EMI |
| You do not want reward redemption fees |
| You want reward points without expiry |
| You already have a stronger premium travel card |
Better Alternatives to Consider
| User Need | Better Direction |
|---|---|
| Zero forex | Compare IDFC FIRST WOW!, WOW! Black or Mayura |
| Higher premium travel value | Compare IDFC FIRST Mayura or Ashva |
| Lower eligibility | Compare entry-level lifetime-free cards |
| Credit building | Compare secured cards against FD |
| UPI-first usage | Compare RuPay credit cards on UPI |
| Simple cashback | Consider cashback-focused cards |
| Fuel spends | Consider fuel co-branded cards |
| Appliance purchase offers | Compare cards with strong EMI and merchant offers |
For comparison basics, read How to Compare Credit Cards in India.
Should You Apply for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?
Apply if you are eligible and want a lifetime-free card with useful benefits.
Do not apply only because of the 10X reward headline.
Check:
- ₹12 lakh+ annual income requirement
- reward point value
- redemption fee
- 24-month reward validity
- lounge spend condition
- Travel & Shop conditions
- category exclusions
- forex markup
- UPI linked-card charges
- whether you need simple cashback or premium travel value
Use the apply button on this page only after checking the latest official bank terms.
FAQs
Is IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card lifetime free?
Yes. FIRST Select is positioned as a lifetime-free credit card with no joining fee and no annual fee.
What is the income requirement for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?
The official page shows annual income of ₹12 lakh or more.
What is the reward rate on FIRST Select Credit Card?
The card offers up to 10X reward points on eligible spends. 1X means 1 reward point per ₹200 spent.
What is the value of 1 reward point?
1 reward point is worth ₹0.25.
Does 10X mean 10% cashback?
No. 10X roughly equals 1.25% value before redemption fee and restrictions.
Does FIRST Select offer airport lounge access?
Yes. It offers 4 domestic airport lounge visits per year, subject to ₹20,000 previous-month spend.
Does FIRST Select offer railway lounge access?
Yes. It offers 16 railway lounge visits per year, subject to ₹20,000 previous-month spend.
What is the forex markup on FIRST Select?
The forex markup is 1.99%.
Does FIRST Select offer movie benefits?
Yes. The card offers Buy 1 Get 1 movie tickets up to ₹125, twice a month.
Does FIRST Select offer dining benefits?
Yes. The card offers dining discounts of up to 20% across partner restaurants.
Do reward points expire?
Under updated terms, FIRST Select reward points are valid for 24 months from the date of credit.
Does FIRST Select earn rewards on fuel?
No. Fuel transactions do not earn reward points.
Does FIRST Select earn rewards on EMI transactions?
No. EMI transactions do not earn reward points.
What is the Benchmarksutra score for IDFC FIRST Select?
IDFC FIRST Select scores 82/100, placing it in A Tier.
Should I apply for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?
Apply if you meet the income requirement and want a lifetime-free card with lounge, railway lounge, movie, dining, low-forex and reward benefits. Avoid if you want simple cashback or zero forex.
FIRST Select is not powerful because of 10X alone. It is powerful because it gives useful travel, movie, dining and reward benefits without an annual fee. The reward math is average, but the lifetime-free benefit stack is strong.
Final Verdict
The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a strong lifetime-free card for eligible users.
Its strongest benefits are:
- no joining fee
- no annual fee
- up to 10X reward points
- domestic airport lounge access
- railway lounge access
- movie offers
- dining discounts
- low forex markup
- Travel & Shop bonus rewards
- welcome voucher
- first EMI cashback
- UPI support
But the card has clear limits.
1 Reward Point is worth only ₹0.25.
Reward redemption fee applies.
Reward points are valid for 24 months.
Lounge access requires previous-month spends.
Several categories either earn lower rewards or no rewards.
Forex markup is 1.99%, not zero.
Benchmarksutra’s view is simple:
- Choose this card if you want a lifetime-free benefit card.
- Use it for lounge, railway lounge, movie, dining, Travel & Shop, and eligible 10X spends.
- Do not choose it only for reward maximisation.
- Avoid it if you want simple cashback or zero forex.
Final Benchmarksutra Score: 82/100 — A Tier
Sources and Further Reading
Official Sources
IDFC FIRST Bank MITC / Schedule of Charges
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select Product Guide
IDFC FIRST Bank Travel & Shop T&C
IDFC FIRST Bank Card Member Agreement
Related Benchmarksutra Guides
- How We Review Credit Cards at Benchmarksutra
- Benchmarksutra Credit Card Score Explained
- How to Compare Credit Cards in India
- Credit Card Fees Explained in India
- Credit Card Reward Points Explained
- How to Calculate the Value of 1 Reward Point
- Excluded Categories in Credit Cards
- Reward Rate vs Effective Reward Rate
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