IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime-free premium credit card designed for individuals seeking rewarding benefits on their everyday spending, travel, dining, and entertainment expenses. With no joining or annual fees, the card offers excellent value through accelerated reward points, complimentary airport lounge access, attractive dining discounts, and movie ticket offers. It also features a low forex markup fee, making it a suitable choice for frequent international travelers. Whether you are looking to maximize rewards on regular purchases or enjoy lifestyle privileges without paying annual charges, the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card offers a well-rounded package of benefits. 

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Key Highlights of IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

The following are the key highlights of IDFC FIRST Select credit card:  

Lifetime-Free Card: The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card comes with no joining fee and no annual fee on the primary card. This lifetime-free feature makes it a cost-effective choice for managing everyday expenses as well as high-value purchases without worrying about recurring card charges. 

Low Forex Markup Fee: International transactions and online purchases made in foreign currencies attract a forex markup fee of only 1.99%. As one of the lowest forex markup rates available in the market, it helps cardholders save significantly on overseas spending and international travel expenses. 

Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access: Cardholders can enjoy two complimentary visits per quarter to participating domestic airport lounges across India. This benefit enhances the travel experience by providing access to comfortable seating, refreshments, and other lounge amenities. However, a minimum spending requirement in the previous month must be met to avail of this benefit. 

Buy One Get One Free Movie Tickets: The card offers Buy One Get One Free movie ticket benefits twice every month, allowing cardholders to enjoy their favorite movies while reducing entertainment expenses. 

Dining Discounts: Cardholders can avail of discounts of up to 20% at more than 1,500 partner restaurants across India. This benefit helps users save on dining bills while enjoying a wide range of culinary experiences. 

Reward Points with No Expiry: Reward points earned on eligible purchases never expire, giving cardholders the flexibility to accumulate and redeem them at their convenience. These points can be redeemed for flights, hotel bookings, e-vouchers, and various partner offers, enabling users to maximize the value of their spending. 

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Features of IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

The following are the features of IDFC FIRST Select credit card:  

Contactless Payment Facility: The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card supports contactless payments, allowing cardholders to make purchases up to the prescribed limit by simply tapping their card at enabled merchant terminals for a quick and convenient checkout experience. 

Cash Withdrawal Facility: Cardholders can withdraw cash from domestic and international ATMs when needed. The card also offers an interest-free period of up to 45 days on cash withdrawals, although a nominal cash advance fee may apply. 

Accelerated Reward Structure: The card features a tiered rewards program that offers higher reward points on increased spending levels and select spending categories. This enables cardholders to earn rewards at a faster rate compared to a standard rewards structure. 

Flexible Reward Redemption Options: Accumulated reward points can be redeemed across multiple categories, including flight bookings, hotel stays, e-vouchers, and partner platforms, giving cardholders the flexibility to choose rewards that best suit their needs. 

Complimentary Airport Lounge Access: The card provides complimentary access to selected domestic airport lounges, allowing travelers to enjoy a more comfortable and relaxing pre-flight experience. 

Roadside Assistance Services: Cardholders can avail themselves of 24x7 roadside assistance services, including support for flat tyres and other basic roadside emergencies, helping ensure peace of mind while travelling. 

Value-Packed Lifetime-Free Credit Card: The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card combines travel, lifestyle, and rewards benefits without any joining or annual fees. It is well-suited for frequent travelers, regular shoppers, and individuals looking for a feature-rich yet cost-effective credit card. 

Benefits of IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Welcome Benefits

  • You will receive a Rs.500 gift voucher when you spend Rs.5,000 within 30 days of your card being issued. 
  • You will get 5% cashback (up to Rs.1,000) on your first EMI transaction, provided it is done within 30 days of card issuance.

Travel Benefits 

Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to domestic airport lounges as well as select railway station lounges, making their journeys more comfortable and convenient. These benefits allow travelers to relax and access premium facilities before departure. The card comes with a trip cancellation cover of up to ₹10,000 for non-refundable flight tickets and hotel bookings. This benefit can help reduce financial losses arising from unexpected travel cancellations. To provide additional peace of mind while travelling, the card offers travel insurance along with personal accident and air accident coverage, helping protect cardholders against unforeseen events during their journeys. 

Lifestyle & Merchant Benefits 

  • Cardholders have access to over 300 merchant benefits that offer discount benefits across shopping, dining, wellness, and travel categories.  

Fuel Benefits 

  • Cardholders can receive a 1 percent fee waiver for eligible fuel purchases, which helps offset the cost of fuel purchases and regular vehicle use.  

Safety & Security 

  • There are lost-card liability benefits, roadside assistance in case of a vehicle discussion, and personal/air accident coverage so cardholders can travel and conduct their daily transactions with peace of mind. 
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Reward Points Benefits

  • Earn 3X Reward Points on eligible retail transactions up to ₹20,000 per statement cycle. This applies to categories such as shopping, dining, groceries, and most online purchases. 
  • On a total spending of ₹20,000 in a statement cycle, the incremental amount earns 10X reward points. 
  • All eligible purchases made on your birthday earn 10X reward points, irrespective of the spending amount. 
  • The IDFC FIRST Select Card offers 3X reward points on education payments, wallet reloads, government service payments, rent payments, and property management transactions. 
  • Utility and insurance transactions earn 1X reward points.  
  • Fuel purchases, EMI transactions and Cash withdrawals do not earn regular or accelerated rewards. 

Spend Category 

Reward Rate 

Details, Eligibility, and Conditions 

Monthly spends above Rs.20,000 

10X reward points 

  • Applies once your eligible monthly spending crosses Rs.20,000.  
  • The points earned at this tier never expire, allowing long-term accumulation. 
  • Utility and insurance payments do not help you reach the milestone but still earn points at their own respective rates

Birthday spends 

10X reward points 

  • All eligible purchases made on your birthday qualify automatically for the 10X reward rate.  
  • This benefit applies even if your overall monthly spending has not yet reached the Rs.20,000 threshold, making it one of the most rewarding single-day benefits on the card. 

Total monthly spends up to Rs.20,000 

3X reward points 

  • These points apply to routine retail purchases such as dining, shopping, entertainment, and travel.  
  • The 3X benefit is available only until your cumulative monthly spend reaches Rs.20,000, after which the 10X tier may activate depending on eligibility. 

Education payments 

3X reward points 

  • Includes school fees, university fees, coaching centres, and recognised online learning platforms.  
  • This category is treated independently and consistently earns 3X. 
  • It is useful for households with frequent academic-related expenses. 

Wallet loads 

3X reward points 

Funds added to digital wallets such as Paytm, PhonePe, and Amazon Pay are eligible for reward earnings. 

These transactions are treated as qualifying digital payments, enabling cardholders to accumulate reward points while managing their everyday wallet expenses.

Government payments 

3X reward points 

  • Includes statutory payments such as taxes, fines, and government service fees.  
  • Although they earn 3X, they do not count towards triggering the 10X milestone, making them beneficial but not milestone-enhancing. 

Rent payments 

3X reward points 

Rent payments made through eligible rent-payment platforms earn 3X reward points, allowing cardholders to benefit from a recurring monthly expense. 

While certain payment platforms may charge a convenience fee for processing rent transactions, the reward points earned can help offset these costs and enhance the overall value of digital rent payments.

Property management or purchase related payments 

3X reward points 

  • Includes society maintenance charges, digital payments for property management services, and certain purchase-related transactions.  
  • Eligibility may vary depending on the merchant category code assigned by the payment processor. 

Utility payments 

1X reward point 

  • Covers electricity, water, gas, telecom, and broadband bills.  
  • These transactions earn base-level rewards but do not contribute towards achieving the Rs.20,000 monthly milestone for 10X rewards. 

Insurance payments 

1X reward point 

  • Applies to life, health, motor, and general insurance premiums.  
  • Although these payments earn points, they are excluded from milestone calculations, ensuring a clear distinction between high-value and basic reward categories. 

EMI transactions 

No reward points 

  • Once a transaction is converted into an EMI - either through the bank or at the merchant level. 
  • It no longer earns reward points.  
  • Any points awarded before the conversion remain unaffected, but the EMI instalments themselves do not generate rewards. 

Cash withdrawals 

No reward points 

  • Cash advances withdrawn from ATMs do not earn any points and typically incur fees and immediate interest charges, making them unsuitable for reward optimisation. 

Fuel purchases 

No reward points 

  • Fuel transactions, including petrol, diesel, and other automotive fuels, are excluded from the reward structure entirely.  
  • This separation ensures clarity in categories where pricing and taxation differ from standard retail purchases. 
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Fees and Charges of IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Fee Type 

Charges 

Notes 

Joining / Annual Fee 

Rs.0 

No joining fee and no annual fee for the primary card. 

Add-on Card Fee 

Rs.499 per year 

Applicable per add-on card issued under the primary cardholder. 

Cash Advance / ATM Withdrawal 

Rs.199 per transaction 

Interest on cash advances is charged from the date of withdrawal until repayment. 

Interest on Purchases / Outstanding Balances 

0.75% to 3.5% per month 

Effective Annual Interest Rate (EIR) approximately 9% to 42% depends on credit profile and internal bank policy. 

Overdue / Late Payment Interest 

3.99% per month 

Annualised rate approx. 47.88%. It is applicable if the minimum amount due is not paid by the due date. 

Late Payment Charges 

15% of Total Amount Due (minimum Rs.100, maximum Rs.1,300) 

Levied if the payment is not made by the due date. 

Over-limit Fee 

2.5% of the excess amount (minimum Rs.500) 

Charged if spending exceeds the sanctioned credit limit. 

Foreign / Forex Transaction Fee 

1.99% of transaction value 

Applies on all foreign currency transactions, including online payments in foreign currency. 

Reward Redemption Fee 

Rs.99 per redemption 

Applicable when redeeming reward points for vouchers, products, or other benefits. 

Card Replacement Fee 

Rs.100 

Charged for replacement of a lost, stolen, or damaged card. 

EMI Conversion Fee 

1% of transaction value (minimum Rs.99) 

Charged when converting eligible purchase transactions into EMIs. 

Fuel Surcharge 

1% of fuel transaction value 

Typically waived if minimum monthly spend criteria are met. 

Education Fees via third-party platforms 

1% (minimum Rs.249) 

Applicable when paying school, college, or coaching fees via certain payment channels. 

Goods and Service Tax (GST) 

18% 

GST applies to all fees, charges, and interest rates wherever applicable. 

Eligibility for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

The eligibility criteria for IDFC FIRST Select credit card is given below:  

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years old. 
  • Should have an annual income of Rs.12 lakh or more. 
  • Must be a resident Indian. 
  • A good credit score is required, with final approval subject to the bank’s internal credit assessment.

Documents Required to Apply for the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

You will have to submit these documents to the bank once you have qualified for the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card: 

Proof of Identity 

Applicants must provide one valid identity document from the following: 

  • PAN card 
  • Aadhaar card 
  • Voter ID 
  • Passport 
  • Driving Licence 

Proof of Address 

Applicants must provide one valid address proof from the following: 

  • Aadhaar card 
  • Passport 
  • Voter ID 
  • Driving Licence 
  • Recent utility bills (not older than 3 months) 
  • Registered rent agreement 

Proof of Income 

  • For salaried applicants: Submit recent salary slips (typically for the last 3 months) and bank statements showing salary credits for the past few months. 
  • For self-employed applicants: Provide Income Tax Returns with computation of income, and if required, a profit & loss statement and balance sheet certified by a Chartered Accountant. 

Additional Documents 

  • Recent passport-size photographs. 
  • Credit report, if available, may be requested by the bank during the application process. 

How to earn more reward points on IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card allows cardholders to maximize their reward earnings by booking flights and hotels through the ‘Travel & Shop’ section of the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App. By using this dedicated travel portal, you can earn accelerated reward points in addition to the regular rewards earned on your transactions, making your travel expenses even more rewarding. 

Step 1: Log In to the IDFC FIRST Mobile App 

Open the IDFC FIRST Mobile Banking App on your smartphone and sign in using your registered credentials. The app serves as a convenient platform for managing your credit card and accessing exclusive travel booking benefits. 

Step 2: Visit the ‘Travel & Shop’ Section 

After logging in, navigate to the ‘Travel & Shop’ section from the app menu. This dedicated portal offers travel booking services along with accelerated reward point benefits on eligible hotel and flight reservations. 

Step 3: Select Your Preferred Travel Booking 

Hotel Bookings: 

Browse and choose from a wide range of hotels in India and overseas. When you book a hotel through this portal using your IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card, you can earn 50X bonus reward points in addition to the standard reward points applicable to the transaction. 

Flight Bookings: 

Search for and book domestic or international flights through the Travel & Shop portal. Eligible flight bookings earn 20X bonus reward points, helping you accumulate rewards much faster than regular spending. 

Step 4: Make the Payment 

Enter the required travel details, select your preferred hotel or flight, and complete the booking using your IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card. The applicable bonus reward points are automatically credited in addition to the regular reward points earned on the transaction. 

Step 5: Redeem Your Reward Points 

Once sufficient reward points have been accumulated, you can redeem them for future flight and hotel bookings through the app. This allows you to reduce your travel expenses while making the most of your card's rewards program.

FAQs on the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

  1. Do I have to pay any annual fee for the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

    No, this card comes with no joining fee, membership fee, or annual fee.

  2. Will my reward points ever expire on this credit card?

    No, reward points earned on the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card will not expire.

  3. Will I be asked to key in my credit card PIN at every POS terminal?

    Yes, for all transactions you make in India, you have to enter a PIN to complete these transactions. Outside India, you will have to enter the PIN only if the POS terminal has been enabled for PIN authentication.

  4. Is there an annual fee payment requirement for the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

    No, the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card has no joining fee or annual fee at any time, making it completely lifetime-free. Whether you want to shop, dine, travel, or for online payments, there are no recurring fees or hidden costs. 

  5. Can I withdraw cash from an ATM using the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

    Yes, the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card enables you to withdraw cash from domestic as well as international ATMs. Each withdrawal is charged with Rs.199 plus GST, and the card provides you with up to 45 days of credit, allowing you to withdraw cash in emergency situations. 

  6. Does the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card provide airport lounge access?

    Yes. The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card provides 2 domestic airport lounge visits in one quarter. However, for you to access this, you must have spent the minimum amount in the billing month before. You will be charged at the regular lounge rates for any additional visits or any visits that are not eligible for use. 

  7. Are there any benefits related to travel or insurance with the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card?

    Yes. There are some travel and insurance benefits with the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card. You will get benefits like Rs.10,000 trip cancellation insurance, personal and air accident insurance, lost-card liability insurance, and 24/7 roadside assistance, which make travelling and emergencies safer and easier. 

  8. What if I lost my IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card, will I be liable for fraud?

    You will be protected. With the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card, lost-card liability means that if you report your card lost promptly, you are not responsible for any fraud on that card. You can feel better protecting yourself financially.  

  9. Is it possible to link my IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card in UPI or make digital payments?

    Yes. The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card can be linked to UPI as a virtual RuPay card, which allows you to facilitate secure digital payments, bill payments, recharge wallets, or online shopping without carrying the card on you. 

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