The IDFC FIRST Credit Card combines two things that rarely come together: it is lifetime free, and it charges zero forex markup on international spends. Add 10X reward points on dining, travel and overseas spending, railway lounge visits and a large restaurant discount programme, and it is a strong free card for people who eat out and travel.
How the rewards work
| Where you spend | Earn rate |
|---|---|
| Dining, travel, international and birthday spends | 10X Reward Points |
| Other eligible online and offline spends | 3X, up to ₹20,000 per statement cycle |
| Utility, insurance, IDFC FASTag and railway | 1X |
| Fuel, EMI transactions, cash withdrawals | No points |
Good to know: one Reward Point is worth ₹0.25. Points stay valid for 24 months from the date they are credited (for example, points from the July 2026 cycle last till June 2028). Each redemption costs ₹99 + GST, so redeem in larger batches.
Using it well
Because the 10X categories cover dining, travel and foreign spends, this card shines on holidays and weekends out. Use it abroad or on international websites and you save the forex markup most cards charge, plus earn 10X points on the same spend. For regular shopping, the 3X rate applies only up to ₹20,000 a cycle, so heavy spenders may want a second card for the rest.
As an example, spend ₹8,000 a month on dining and travel and ₹12,000 on everyday shopping, and every one of those rupees earns either 10X or 3X points, all worth ₹0.25 each. Since the card costs nothing, there is no fee to earn back first, which makes it an easy card to keep for the long term.
Other benefits
- Railway lounges: 4 visits per quarter (16 a year) when you spend ₹20,000+ in the previous calendar month.
- Welcome: spend ₹5,000 within 30 days of activation for a ₹500 voucher from partner brands, plus 5% cashback (up to ₹1,000) on your first EMI within 30 days.
- Dining: up to 20% off at 1,500+ partner restaurants across India.
- Roadside assistance: complimentary cover worth ₹1,399, including towing, flat tyre help, battery jump-start and emergency fuel delivery.
Fees and charges
| Joining fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free, for life |
| Forex markup | 0% |
| Reward redemption fee | ₹99 + GST per redemption |
Eligibility
| Age | 21 to 65 years |
|---|---|
| Employment | Salaried or self-employed |
| Income (salaried) | ₹25,000 a month |
| Income (self-employed) | ₹3,00,000 a year |
| Credit score | 720 or above |
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
- Tap Apply on IDFC FIRST Bank site on this page to open the official credit card application.
- Enter your details in one session, using the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar for OTP checks.
- Complete video KYC when prompted, ideally from your current address.
- 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 want a free card for dining out, travel and international purchases, and value never paying a forex fee.
Skip it if most of your spending is fuel, rent or EMIs, which earn nothing, or if you would redeem small point balances often and lose value to the ₹99 redemption fee.
