Ashva

IDFC FIRST Bank

IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card Review 2026: 24 Lounges, Zero Forex

A mid-premium travel card with plenty of lounge visits, zero forex markup and strong rewards on app travel bookings.

7.9/10 Best mid-range travel card Updated 27 Oct 2026 · Details verified 27 Oct 2026
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Joining fee
₹2,999 + GST
Annual fee
₹2,999 + GST
Rewards
5X–10X points, up to 40X on travel
Lounge access
24 a year (16 domestic + 8 international)
Credit score
710+

💡 Fee waiver: Spend ₹8,00,000 in the preceding year and the annual fee is waived.

Key highlights

  • 24 airport lounge visits a year (16 domestic, 8 international)
  • 4 railway lounge visits per quarter
  • 0% forex markup on international spends
  • Up to 40X points on hotels and flights booked in the IDFC FIRST app
  • 7,500 welcome Reward Points worth up to ₹3,000

Our verdict

What we like

  • International lounge access and zero forex at a ₹2,999 fee
  • Up to 40X points makes app travel bookings very rewarding
  • Welcome points cover the first year’s fee

Watch out for

  • Fee waiver needs ₹8 lakh of yearly spend
  • Movie and golf perks need ₹20,000 spend the previous month
  • Not available to first-time credit card users

The IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card is a mid-premium travel card that punches above its ₹2,999 fee. You get 24 airport lounge visits a year including international ones, extra railway lounge visits, zero forex markup and up to 40X reward points on travel booked through the IDFC FIRST app.

Lounge access

TypeAllowancePer year
Domestic airport lounges4 per quarter16
International airport lounges2 per quarter8
Railway lounges4 per quarter16

How the rewards work

SpendEarn rate
Monthly spends up to ₹20,0005X Reward Points
Incremental spends above ₹20,00010X Reward Points
Hotels and flights via Travel & Shop in the IDFC FIRST appUp to 40X Reward Points

Good to know: points are worth up to ₹0.40 each when redeemed for eligible travel bookings. Redeeming for other things may give less value, so travel redemptions are the best use.

The welcome offer gives up to 7,500 points worth up to ₹3,000: 2,500 when you pay the joining fee and 2,500 each for spending ₹20,000 in the second and third statement cycles. That effectively refunds the first year’s fee.

Is the fee worth it?

From the second year, a traveller who takes one foreign trip and a few domestic flights can get most of the value from lounges and zero forex alone. Add monthly Buy 1 Get 1 movie tickets (up to ₹500 off the second ticket, twice a month) and points on ₹20,000+ of monthly spending, and the ₹2,999 fee is easy to justify. If you cannot meet the ₹20,000 monthly spend, several perks will stay locked.

Other benefits

  • Movies: Buy 1 Get 1 on BookMyShow twice a month, with ₹20,000+ spend in the previous month.
  • Golf: 12 lessons a year (1 a month) and 4 complimentary rounds, with the same spend condition.
  • Trip cancellation cover: up to ₹50,000, twice a year, for eligible non-refundable flight and hotel cancellations.

Fees and charges

Joining fee₹2,999 + GST
Annual fee₹2,999 + GST from the second year
Annual fee waiverSpend ₹8,00,000 in the preceding year
Forex markup0%

Eligibility

Age21 to 65 years
EmploymentSalaried or self-employed
Credit score710 or above
First credit card?Not allowed

Documents you will need

  • Identity: PAN card (or Form 60)
  • Address: Aadhaar, passport or a recent utility bill
  • Income: latest salary slips or bank statements
  • Photo: a recent passport-sized photograph

How to apply

  1. Tap Apply on IDFC FIRST Bank site on this page to open the official credit card application.
  2. Enter your details in one session, using the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar for OTP checks.
  3. Complete video KYC when prompted, ideally from your current address.
  4. Once the card is issued, set it up in the IDFC FIRST app and make your first transaction to unlock the welcome benefits.

Who should get it, and who shouldn’t

Get it if you travel a few times a year, including abroad, spend around ₹20,000 a month on cards and are happy to book trips through the IDFC FIRST app to earn the top rate.

Skip it if you rarely fly. A lifetime free card such as the IDFC FIRST Credit Card already gives zero forex markup without the ₹2,999 fee.

IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit CardA mid-premium travel card with plenty of lounge visits, zero forex markup and strong rewards on app travel bookings.
Apply on IDFC FIRST Bank site

Frequently asked questions

How many lounge visits does IDFC FIRST Ashva offer?

24 airport lounge visits a year (4 domestic and 2 international per quarter), plus 4 railway lounge visits per quarter.

What is the Ashva annual fee?

₹2,999 + GST, waived if you spend ₹8,00,000 in the preceding year.

What are Ashva reward points worth?

Points can be redeemed at up to ₹0.40 each for eligible travel bookings. You earn 5X on monthly spends up to ₹20,000, 10X above that, and up to 40X on hotels and flights booked through the IDFC FIRST app.

What is the welcome benefit?

Up to 7,500 Reward Points worth up to ₹3,000: 2,500 on paying the joining fee and 2,500 each for spending ₹20,000 in the second and third statement cycles.

Is there a forex markup?

No. Ashva charges 0% forex markup on international transactions.

Compare with similar offers

IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit CardJoining fee ₹2,999 + GST · 7.9/10
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