IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards: A Practical Guide

A different pitch than most issuers

Most Indian card issuers compete on welcome bonuses and reward multipliers. IDFC FIRST Bank leans on something less flashy but arguably more useful day to day: low interest rates, low or zero forex markup, and lifetime-free options that don't disappear after year one. If you carry an occasional balance, travel internationally, or just want a card that doesn't punish you for missing a spend target, IDFC FIRST's lineup is worth a serious look — even though its reward-point value tends to be thinner than HDFC or Axis.

The entry-level lineup: Classic and Millennia

The IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card is a genuinely lifetime-free entry card with the bank's signature low interest rates and a modest set of dining and online multipliers, plus a few domestic lounge visits a year. The IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card sits just above it — also lifetime-free with a low starting interest rate (0.71% per month) and 10X points on dining and travel, though the reward value per point is thin and most perks require staying spend-active each month. Reward points on the Millennia carry a two-year validity window instead of expiring quickly, which is more forgiving than most competitors.

Fuel and utility: the Power and Power+ cards

If fuel and everyday utility spend matter more to you than travel, the IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card (RuPay, built with HPCL) offers up to 2.5% value-back on fuel and LPG plus rewards on FASTag top-ups and groceries at a very low cost — a solid pick if you're comfortable with RuPay's more limited international acceptance. The IDFC FIRST Power+ Credit Card pushes fuel savings further, up to 6.5% at HPCL pumps, alongside grocery and utility rewards and a rare zero forex markup, though lounge access is capped at one spend-gated visit per quarter.

Mid-tier and travel-focused options

The IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit Card rewards higher spenders with 10X points (versus a 5X base) once monthly spend crosses ₹20,000, valuing points higher for travel booked through the IDFC FIRST app. For frequent international travelers, the IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card is the flagship metal option — genuine 0% forex markup, extensive complimentary lounge access, and CFAR travel insurance, offset by a steep non-waivable annual fee and a ₹25 lakh income requirement. A newer, more accessible alternative is the IDFC FIRST Zero-Forex Diamond Reserve Credit Card, launched in January 2026, which brings zero forex markup at a comparatively low ₹3,000 fee — but its standout reward rates (up to 10% on hotels, 6.6% on flights) apply only to bookings made through the IDFC FIRST app; general spend earns a fairly ordinary 1.66%.

Where IDFC FIRST actually wins

Across nearly the entire lineup, two things stand out: interest rates well below industry average, and forex markups that are either zero or close to it. If you're someone who occasionally revolves a balance (not recommended as a habit, but realistic for many people) or spends meaningfully abroad, that combination can outweigh a slightly weaker rewards program elsewhere. The tradeoff is that IDFC FIRST's redemption value is generally lower than issuers like HDFC or Axis, and several of the better perks are gated behind the bank's own app for bookings.

Where to go from here

If low forex markup specifically is your priority, compare this lineup against our best 0% / low forex markup credit cards in India roundup. And if you're deciding between a lifetime-free starter card and a fee-based one, our guide on best lifetime free credit cards in India is a useful next read.