IDFC FIRST vs RBL Credit Cards: Two Zero-Forex Travel Families, One Sprawling Partner List

IDFC FIRST puts a 0% forex markup on every card. RBL does it only on the World Safari family and LUMIÈRE. The rest of RBL's range is a long list of co-brands with fees from ₹500 to ₹5,000 and, frequently, no lounge access at all. That difference in focus is the quickest way into this comparison.

Zero-forex travel cards

RBL World Safari costs ₹3,000, waived at ₹3,00,000, with a 2% base rate in miles, 5% on travel, 2 domestic visits a quarter (after ₹35,000 spend in the previous quarter) and 2 international Priority Pass visits a year, for a ₹40,000 income floor. IDFC FIRST Ashva costs ₹2,999 with 4 domestic and 2 international visits a quarter, for a ₹1,00,000 income floor. The World Safari Plus costs ₹6,000 with 2 domestic visits a quarter and 4 international a year. IDFC FIRST gives far more lounge visits; RBL's World Safari is open to a lower income. Close, split by income.

Entry level

RBL's entry cards are many and mostly fee-bearing: ShopRite at ₹499 (5% groceries, capped at ₹250 a month), Play at ₹500, Cookies at ₹1,200, and Platinum Delight at ₹1,000. None of those on our list has lounge access. IDFC FIRST's Millennia, Classic and WOW! carry no fee, with 0% forex. IDFC FIRST WOW! also adds 4 lounge visits a year. IDFC FIRST leads clearly.

Fuel cards

RBL has the larger fuel menu. IndianOil RBL costs ₹500 with 5% on fuel, capped at ₹500 a month. IndianOil RBL XTRA costs ₹1,500, waived at ₹2,75,000, with 7.5% on fuel capped at ₹1,000 a month. IDFC FIRST Power+ costs ₹499, waived at ₹1,50,000, with up to 6.5% on HPCL fuel plus 5% on groceries and utilities (capped at ₹2,000 a month), and 1 lounge visit a quarter. Fuel-only buyers get the higher rate from XTRA; those who want fuel plus groceries and utilities are better with Power+. RBL leads on peak fuel rate; IDFC on flexibility.

Premium and super-premium

RBL's Icon costs ₹5,000 with 6% on travel and dining (capped at ₹600 a month) and 2% forex. The Insignia costs ₹7,000, with a 5% base rate, 6 international visits a year and 1.5% forex. RBL Nova costs ₹12,500 with 12 domestic and 12 international visits a year at 2% forex. LUMIÈRE costs ₹50,000 with unlimited access and 0% forex. IDFC FIRST's Mayura costs ₹5,999 with up to 16 domestic and 16 international visits, Gaj ₹12,500, and Private ₹50,000 to join and ₹25,000 a year, all at 0% forex. At ₹50,000 the two top cards are comparable; below that, IDFC FIRST has the clearer line-up.

Shopping and entertainment partners

RBL's partner cards include Shoppers Stop Black (₹10,000, 7.5% online shopping, capped at ₹1,500 a month), BookMyShow, Patanjali and BankBazaar. IDFC FIRST has far fewer, with LIC Select and LIC Classic the main ones. RBL wins if you shop at one of those brands.

Which card for which buyer

A salaried buyer who wants lounges and no forex fees: IDFC FIRST Ashva or Wealth. A miles collector on ₹40,000 a month: RBL World Safari. A driver who fills up at IndianOil: RBL XTRA. A first card: IDFC FIRST Millennia.

More comparisons

Our IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards guide and RBL Bank credit cards guide cover each card. For a bigger rival, see Yes Bank vs RBL.