Ideal User for this Card: Mid-income professionals and salaried individuals (typically with annual income of ₹12 lakh or more) who want a lifetime-free card with solid rewards on dining and travel, domestic lounge access, railway lounge visits, movie offers, and low or zero forex markup without any joining or annual fees.
Key Takeaways
Best for: Everyday spenders seeking lifetime free benefits with lounge access
Top Benefit: Lifetime free + 10X rewards on dining, travel & international spends + domestic lounge
Annual Fee: ₹0 (Lifetime Free – no joining or annual fee)
Standout Feature: Never-expiring or long-validity reward points with flexible redemption and low/zero forex
Verdict: One of the best lifetime-free cards in its income segment for balanced rewards and travel perks
2. Fees & Charges
Fee Type
Details
Joining Fee
₹0 (Nil)
Annual / Renewal Fee
₹0 (Lifetime Free – no minimum spend required)
Forex Markup Fee
0% (Zero Forex Markup under current bank-wide policy) or previously around 1.99%
Finance Charges (Interest)
Approximately 0.75% to 3.65% per month (9% to 43.8% per annum)
Reward Redemption Fee
₹99 + GST (may apply on certain redemptions)
3. Cashback, Rewards & Discounts
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Accelerated Categories: 10X reward points on dining, travel, international purchases and birthday spends (from the first eligible transaction in updated structures).
🛒
Other Eligible Spends: 3X reward points on general online and offline spends (up to the monthly threshold in some older structures; now often applied broadly).
🧾
Lower Rate Categories: 1X reward points on insurance premiums, utility bills, railways and FASTag recharges.
✈️
Travel Bonus via App: Additional 10–20% bonus reward points on hotel and flight bookings made through the Travel & Shop / FIRST Rewards Gallery section of the IDFC FIRST Bank app.
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Redemption Value: 1 Reward Point ≈ ₹0.25. Points are highly flexible (redeemable against online purchases) and known for never expiring or having long validity.
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Welcome Benefits: ₹500 gift voucher on meeting a small spend threshold (e.g., ₹5,000 within 30 days) and 5% cashback (up to ₹1,000) on the first EMI transaction.
4. Travel Benefits
🛋️
Airport Lounge Access: 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter (total 4 per year). Usually requires minimum spends of ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month.
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Railway Lounge Access: Up to 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter (subject to spend conditions).
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Forex Markup: 0% (Zero Forex Markup) or low ~1.99% – significantly better than the typical 3.5% charged by many cards.
🛡️
Trip Cancellation Cover: Cover up to ₹10,000 for eligible hotel and flight cancellations.
🛡️
Insurance Covers: Air accident cover up to ₹1 crore and personal accident cover (typically ₹5–10 lakh range).
5. Other Lifestyle & Special Perks
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Movie Offer: Buy 1 Get 1 free on movie tickets (up to ₹125), available twice a month (often subject to previous-month spend).
⛽
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on eligible transactions (typically ₹200–₹5,000, capped around ₹300 per cycle).
🍽️
Dining Discounts: Up to 20% off at 1,500+ partner restaurants.
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Cash Withdrawals: Zero interest on ATM cash withdrawals if repaid by the payment due date (cash advance fee of ₹199 applicable).
Age: Typically 21 to 65 years (some references start from 18)
🇮🇳
Residency: Indian resident with valid permanent and current address
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Income: Minimum annual income of approximately ₹12 lakh (or equivalent net monthly income)
📊
Credit Score: Good to strong CIBIL score preferred for higher approval chances
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Employment: Salaried or self-employed professionals meeting the income criteria
7. Drawbacks & Cons
⚠️
Lounge Spend Condition: Complimentary domestic lounge access requires minimum spends (around ₹20,000) in the previous month.
⚠️
No International Lounge: The card primarily offers domestic airport lounge access; international lounge visits are limited or absent compared with higher-tier cards.
⚠️
Modest Base Reward Value: Outside accelerated categories the effective return is relatively low (around 0.38%).
⚠️
Redemption Fee: A small fee (₹99 + GST) may apply on certain redemptions.
⚠️
Income Threshold: Requires around ₹12 lakh annual income, which may exclude some applicants.
8. Similar & Alternative Cards
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IDFC FIRST Classic / Wealth: Classic has lower eligibility; Wealth offers higher rewards and more premium benefits if you meet the higher income criteria.
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HDFC Millennia / SBI SimplyCLICK: Competitive lifetime-free or low-fee cards focused on online spends and cashback. Compare if your spending is heavily online.
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Axis Ace or Flipkart Axis: Strong cashback alternatives. Prefer these if you prioritise fixed cashback over reward points and lounge access.
Visit the official IDFC FIRST Bank Select Credit Card page.
Enter your mobile number, personal details and complete OTP verification.
Provide income, employment and address information for eligibility assessment.
Complete Video KYC and upload the required documents as guided.
On approval, the digital card is issued quickly and the physical card is dispatched. Activate it via the IDFC FIRST Bank app.
Documents Required:
📄
Identity & Address: PAN Card, Aadhaar and address proof.
📄
Income Proof: Latest salary slips / Form 16 (salaried) or ITR / business proof (self-employed).
📄
Other: Bank statements (typically last 3–6 months) and any additional documents requested during the application.
11. Safety & Fraud Prevention Tips
🔒
OTP & CVV Security: Banks or officials never ask for OTP, CVV or passwords over the phone or email. Never share these details.
🔒
Safe Links: Always apply only through the official IDFC FIRST Bank website or verified mobile app.
🔒
Monitor Transactions: Enable real-time alerts and regularly review statements. Report any unauthorised activity immediately.
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Card Security: Treat the physical card carefully and report loss or theft promptly to activate liability protection.
12. Should You Get This Card? (Final Verdict)
Pros Summary: Excellent lifetime-free option for mid-income users. Strong combination of accelerated rewards on dining and travel, domestic lounge and railway lounge access, movie offers, low/zero forex markup, and flexible never-expiring points — all without any joining or annual fees.
Final Conclusion: Yes — if you meet the ₹12 lakh annual income criteria and can maintain the monthly spends needed to unlock lounge benefits. It is one of the most balanced lifetime-free cards in India for everyday spending plus occasional travel. If your income is higher, consider the Wealth variant for more premium perks. Always verify the latest reward rates, lounge conditions and forex policy on the official website before applying.
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can this card be obtained as Lifetime Free?
A: Yes. The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card has zero joining fee and zero annual fee with no spend conditions for fee waiver – it is completely lifetime free.
Q: What is the forex markup on the Select card?
A: Currently 0% under the bank-wide Zero Forex Markup policy (earlier structures listed around 1.99%).
Q: How many lounge visits do I get?
A: 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter (4 per year) and up to 4 railway lounge visits per quarter. Access is usually subject to a minimum spend of around ₹20,000 in the previous month.
Q: What is the reward earning rate?
A: 10X on dining, travel, international and birthday spends; 3X on other eligible spends; 1X on utilities, insurance, railways and FASTag. 1 Reward Point is generally valued at ₹0.25.
Q: Is there a welcome benefit?
A: Yes. A ₹500 gift voucher on meeting a small spend threshold shortly after issuance and 5% cashback (up to ₹1,000) on the first EMI transaction.
Q: What is the minimum income required?
A: Typically around ₹12 lakh per annum. Exact criteria are confirmed during application.
Q: Do reward points expire?
A: Reward points on this card are known for never expiring or having very long validity – one of its strong advantages.
Q: Does the card offer international lounge access?
A: Primarily domestic airport lounge access is offered. International lounge visits are limited or not a core benefit of the Select card.
Q: Is there a movie benefit?
A: Yes. Buy 1 Get 1 free on movie tickets (up to ₹125), typically available twice a month subject to terms.
Q: Who should avoid this card?
A: Applicants who do not meet the income requirement or those who rarely spend enough to unlock lounge benefits may prefer simpler lifetime-free cards with no spend conditions.
14. Expert Help & Next Steps
Still Confused? Not sure if this credit card is the right choice for your spending habits?
₹49 Expert Consultation: Get personalised advice from our credit card experts and apply safely without falling for online fraud.
Financial Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is strictly for educational and informational purposes.
Credit card fees, interest rates, and terms & conditions (T&C) are subject to change by respective banks over time.
Always check the official website of the relevant bank to review all rules thoroughly before applying for any card.
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