The IDFC FIRST Hello Cashback Credit Card does something unusual: its online cashback rate goes up as you spend more. You get 3% on the first ₹10,000 of online spending each month and 5% beyond that, along with 1% on offline and UPI spends, up to 6% on travel and zero forex markup. It is available against a fixed deposit from just ₹10,000.
How the cashback works
| Where you spend | Cashback |
|---|---|
| Online spends up to ₹10,000 a month | 3% |
| Online spends beyond ₹10,000 a month | 5% |
| Offline, essential and UPI spends | 1% |
| Hotels and flights via the IDFC FIRST Bank app | Up to 6% (includes 1% bonus) |
| First UPI transaction within 15 days of activation | 10%, up to ₹250 |
Caps: online cashback is capped at ₹1,000 a month, and total cashback at ₹1,500 a month.
What you would actually earn
Spend ₹15,000 a month online and ₹10,000 offline or on UPI. The first ₹10,000 online earns ₹300, the next ₹5,000 earns ₹250, and offline adds ₹100: ₹650 a month, or about ₹7,800 a year. That ₹3 lakh of yearly spending also clears the ₹2 lakh needed to waive the annual fee.
Online cashback reaches its ₹1,000 cap at around ₹24,000 of online spending a month. Above that, a second card is a better home for extra online spend.
FD-backed option
Open a fixed deposit of ₹10,000 or more and you get a secured card with a credit limit equal to 100% of the FD. That makes Hello Cashback accessible to students, homemakers and anyone with no credit history, while still offering the full cashback structure.
Other benefits
- Forex: 0% markup on international transactions.
- Roadside assistance: worth ₹1,399, up to 4 times a year.
- Fuel: 1% surcharge waiver on ₹200–₹5,000, up to ₹100 per statement cycle.
Because the online rate rises above ₹10,000 a month, it pays to concentrate your online spending on this card rather than splitting it across several cards.
Fees and charges
| Joining fee | Free (limited-time offer) |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹1,000 + GST |
| Annual fee waiver | Spend above ₹2,00,000 in the preceding year |
| Partial reversal | 50% back on spends of ₹1,00,000–₹2,00,000 |
| Forex markup | 0% |
Eligibility
| Fixed deposit | ₹10,000 or more for the secured card |
|---|---|
| First credit card? | Allowed |
Documents you will need
- Identity: PAN card (or Form 60)
- Address: Aadhaar or another valid address proof
- Funds: ₹10,000 or more for the fixed deposit
How to apply
- Tap Apply on IDFC FIRST Bank site on this page to open the official application.
- Choose the FD-backed option if prompted and fund a deposit of ₹10,000 or more.
- Complete KYC in the same session, using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Once the card arrives, make a first transaction (₹100 or more) within 30 days to activate it.
Who should get it, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you are new to credit, shop online regularly and want real cashback plus zero forex markup.
Skip it if you spend less than ₹1 lakh a year, as you would pay the full ₹1,000 fee. A lifetime free card would serve you better.
