Overview
The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a solid option for those who want a feature-packed credit card without worrying about annual fees. With a great mix of rewards, travel perks, and lifestyle benefits, it offers excellent value for money.
Key Features
- Lifetime Free Card: No annual or renewal fees – ever!
- Reward Points: Earn up to 10X reward points on spends above ₹20,000 and for purchases made on your birthday. The Reward points will never expire (1 reward point ~ ₹ 0.25 in redemptions)
- Welcome Benefits: Get vouchers worth ₹500 when you spend ₹15,000 within 90 days.
- Interest-Free Period: Enjoy up to 48 days of interest-free credit.
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: Save with a 1% waiver on fuel transactions (up to ₹300 per monthon transactions between ₹200 & ₹5,000).
- Low Interest Rate: Competitive APR starting from 8.5% p.a., depending on your credit profile.
- Travel Benefits: 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter – a great perk for frequent travellers. Also, 4 complimentary visits to lounges at select Indian railway terminals. Please note, it is important to spend ₹20,000 within the current calendar month to access lounge benefits in the following month
- Movie Discounts: Buy 1, Get 1 free on movie tickets twice monthly(up to ₹125 per month)
- Insurance Cover (T&C apply): Get up to₹ 10,000 for hotel/flight cancellations. Air accident cover of 1 crore Personal accident cover of ₹5,00,000 and Lost card liability cover of ₹50,000. Further, there are other benefits like: Loss of Checked-in Baggage: USD 100, Delay of Checked-In Baggage: USD 67, Loss of Passport and other documents: USD 67, and Delay in Flight: USD 67.
- Free Roadside Assistance (RSA): Complimentary 24×7 roadside assistance services, including towing, fuel delivery, and minor repairs – a big plus for vehicle owners.
- Forex markup: 1.99% is not bad for a lifetime free credit card
- Personal Accident cover of up to ₹10,00,000
Pros
✔️Lifetime Free – No annual or joining fees.
✔️Generous Rewards – Earn up to 10X reward points on high-value spends and birthday
✔️Low Interest Rates – APR starting from 8.5% p.a.
✔️Travel Perks – 2 free domestic airport lounge visits per quarter.
✔️Entertainment Benefits – Buy 1 Get 1 free movie tickets, plus dining discounts.
✔️Insurance Coverage – Free hotel and flight cancellation policy upto₹ 10,000 (TnC apply)
✔️Free Roadside Assistance (RSA) – 24×7 support including towing and fuel delivery.
Cons
❌Limited Lounge Access – Only domestic airport lounges are covered.
❌Higher Rewards on Select Spends – 10X rewards apply mainly to spends above ₹20,000 and birthday purchases.Education, Wallet load and Government services^ transactions will not be part of 10X threshold calculation and will only accrue 3x points (3 Reward Points per Rs. 150 spent).
❌1% charge on commercial utility usage – Utility spends of Rs. 40,000 in a statement cycle will attract a fee of Rs. 400 (1% fee) + taxes*. If Utility spends > Rs.20,000 in a billing cycle, then no charge will be imposed. All utility spend will get 1x reward points.
❌Redemption Fees – ₹ 99 + GST
Who Should Get This Card?
- Shoppers who love earning reward points on every spend.
- Frequent travellers who can take advantage of free lounge access.
- Anyone looking for a lifetime-free credit card with solid perks.
- Individuals who need a low-interest-rate credit card.
- Car owners who would appreciate free RSA services for emergencies. In my personal experiences, this has helped me several times when stuck due to a flat tyres or dead battery. The response level is much better than even many paid RSA services around. This feature alone is in my mind enough to get this card, which is completely free forever.
Eligibility
- Annual income of ₹12 lakhs or more
- Minimum age to apply is 21 years.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a well-rounded credit card with zero annual fees and a solid set of benefits, the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a great choice. It’s especially useful for those who travel, dine out, or need a low-interest card. The free RSA services add extra value, making it an ideal pick for vehicle owners. However, if your focus is purely on cashback, you may want to explore other options.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2/5)
Would you apply for this card? Drop your thoughts below! – FinProfz
