The IDFC FIRST Quantum Plus Credit Card is a lifetime-free card issued against a fixed deposit, with a credit limit of up to 100% of your FD value. It pays straightforward cashback, charges zero forex markup on international transactions and is open to new-to-credit applicants. That combination is rare: most free first cards don’t also work well abroad.
How the cashback works
| Where you spend | Cashback |
|---|---|
| Online spends up to ₹10,000 a cycle | 1% |
| Online spends above ₹10,000 a cycle | 2% |
| UPI Scan & Pay via the IDFC FIRST app, in-store and contactless | 1% |
| Hotels and flights via the IDFC FIRST app | Extra 1% bonus |
| Utility, insurance, wallet, rent, jewellery, government payments | 0.5% |
| Total cap | ₹500 per statement cycle |
Doesn’t earn the 1% UPI rate: UPI payments made through third-party apps. Use the IDFC FIRST Bank app for UPI Scan & Pay.
What you would actually earn
Spend ₹20,000 online in a cycle and you earn ₹100 on the first ₹10,000 and ₹200 on the next ₹10,000, a total of ₹300. Add ₹10,000 of UPI and in-store spends for another ₹100, and you are at ₹400 a month, close to the ₹500 cap. That is up to ₹6,000 a year from a card that costs nothing.
Zero forex markup
There is 0% forex markup on all international transactions, so online subscriptions in dollars, foreign shopping sites and trips abroad cost you only the exchange rate. Combined with the online cashback, that makes it a strong free card for foreign spends.
Other benefits
- Personal accident cover of up to ₹2,00,000.
- Credit limit of up to 100% of your FD value.
Things to watch
- The ₹500 cap covers all cashback combined, so heavy spenders will hit it quickly.
- Bills, insurance, rent, wallets, jewellery and government payments earn just 0.5%.
- The 2% rate only applies to the part of your online spending above ₹10,000 in a cycle.
Building credit with it
Because the card is backed by your FD, it is one of the easier ways to get a first credit card from a large private bank. Use it for regular spends, keep the balance well below your limit and pay the full bill every month. After a year or so of on-time payments, you should have a credit history strong enough to apply for unsecured cards too.
Fees and charges
| Joining fee | Free |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Free |
| Forex markup | 0% |
Eligibility
| Security | A fixed deposit with IDFC FIRST Bank |
|---|---|
| First credit card? | Allowed; new-to-credit applicants welcome |
Note: the offer does not list a minimum FD amount, age band or document list. Check these on IDFC FIRST Bank’s application page before you start.
How to apply
- Tap Apply on IDFC FIRST Bank site on this page.
- Complete the application in the same session and book your fixed deposit.
- Your limit is set at up to 100% of the FD value.
- Use the IDFC FIRST Bank app for UPI Scan & Pay to earn 1% on UPI.
Who should get it, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you are new to credit and want a free card that earns cashback and works well abroad, or if you already hold an FD with IDFC FIRST and want zero-markup foreign spending.
Skip it if you spend heavily online. The ₹500 monthly cap limits returns, and you would need to lock money in an FD to get the limit you want.
