IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card Review: Complete Information, Fees, Benefits, and Drawbacks
Estimated reading time: 10–12 minutes
1. Brief Introduction (Card Overview)
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Card Name: IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual Credit Card
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Issuer Bank: IDFC FIRST Bank (in partnership with IndiGo)
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Card Network: Dual – Mastercard + RuPay (shared credit limit and statement)
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Card Type: Travel / Airline Co-branded Rewards Card (BluChips)
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Ideal User for this Card: Frequent IndiGo flyers and households that book most flights on the IndiGo website or app. Ideal if you want to convert everyday spends into free IndiGo flights via BluChips and value dual-network convenience (Mastercard for global acceptance + RuPay for UPI).
Key Takeaways
- Best for: Frequent IndiGo travellers and BluChip collectors
- Top Benefit: Up to 22 IndiGo BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo flight bookings + milestone bonuses up to 25,000 BluChips/year
- Annual Fee: ₹4,999 + GST (joining fee also ₹4,999 + GST or ₹0 with eligible FD)
- Standout Feature: Dual physical cards (Mastercard + RuPay) under one limit + strong IndiGo BluChip earn rates
- Verdict: Excellent for dedicated IndiGo flyers; less ideal if you rarely fly IndiGo or seek lounge access
2. Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹4,999 + GST (or ₹0 with minimum Fixed Deposit of ₹50,000–₹1 lakh depending on the variant; joining benefits apply only on fee-paying route) |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹4,999 + GST from the second year onwards (benefits of 5,000 BluChips voucher + meal voucher on payment) |
| Forex Markup Fee | 1.49% (among the lower rates in the market) |
| Finance Charges (Interest) | 0.71% to 3.85% per month (approximately 8.5% to 46.2% per annum) |
| Reward Redemption Fee | Nil – BluChips are redeemed directly for IndiGo flights |
| Add-on Card Fee | ₹499 + GST (joining and annual) |
3. Cashback, Rewards & Discounts
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IndiGo Flight Bookings: Up to 22 IndiGo BluChips per ₹100 spent on flights booked via the IndiGo website or mobile app (6 BluChips from the card + up to 16 additional from your IndiGo BluChip membership tier).
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Other Eligible Spends: 3 IndiGo BluChips per ₹100 on shopping, dining, entertainment and most other categories.
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UPI, Utilities & Essentials: 0.5 IndiGo BluChips per ₹100 on UPI payments, rent, utilities, fuel, insurance, wallet loads, FASTag, education, railway and government services.
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Welcome Benefits (Fee-paying variant): 5,000 IndiGo BluChips voucher + complimentary IndiGo meal voucher on joining fee payment. Additional 3,000 BluChips voucher on spending ₹1 lakh within the first 90 days.
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Milestone Benefits: Voucher of 5,000 IndiGo BluChips each on crossing annual spends of ₹2 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹8 lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh (up to 25,000 BluChips per year).
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Annual Fee Payment Benefit: 5,000 IndiGo BluChips voucher + complimentary IndiGo meal voucher every year on payment of the annual fee.
4. Travel Benefits
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Airport Lounge Access: Not available as a standard benefit on this card.
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Trip Cancellation Cover: Reimbursement up to ₹25,000 per year on non-refundable flight and hotel bookings (typically twice a year).
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Forex Markup: Low 1.49% markup on international transactions – helpful for overseas spends.
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Golf Benefits (Mastercard): 4 complimentary golf rounds and 12 golf lessons every year (subject to Mastercard World benefits and availability).
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BluChip Redemption: Redeem BluChips for IndiGo flights with no blackout dates; can be used fully or partially with cash.
5. Other Lifestyle & Special Perks
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Dual Cards Advantage: You receive two physical cards – Mastercard (global acceptance) and RuPay (UPI-ready) – under a single credit limit and one statement. All spends count toward BluChips and milestones.
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Dining: 3-month complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership (welcome benefit) and fine-dine offers at 350+ restaurants via Mastercard.
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Hotel Stay: Postcard Hotels stay voucher worth ₹3,000 as a one-time exclusive benefit.
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Partner Offers: Discounts such as 10% on Mokobara and TATA CLiQ Luxury (as per prevailing partner offers).
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FD-backed Option: Apply with a Fixed Deposit (minimum around ₹50,000–₹1 lakh) for zero joining fee and assured approval; annual fee still applies.
6. Eligibility Criteria
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Age: Typically 18/21 to 65 years (confirm exact range on application)
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Residency: Indian resident citizen with permanent and current address in India
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Income: For unsecured variant – minimum annual income around ₹6 lakh (or equivalent); FD-backed variant requires no income proof
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Credit Score: Satisfactory CIBIL for unsecured route; not required for FD-backed variant
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FD Option: Minimum Fixed Deposit of ₹50,000–₹1 lakh for the zero-joining-fee secured variant
7. Drawbacks & Cons
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High Annual Fee: ₹4,999 + GST every year with no spend-based waiver – you need to fly IndiGo regularly to justify the cost through BluChips.
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No Lounge Access: Lacks domestic or international airport lounge benefits that many premium travel cards offer.
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BluChip Value Variability: The rupee value of one BluChip is dynamic (roughly ₹0.40–₹0.60) and depends on the route, date and demand – not a fixed cash equivalent.
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Low Earn on Essentials: Only 0.5 BluChips per ₹100 on UPI, utilities, fuel and rent – lower value for non-flight heavy spenders.
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Joining Benefits Restricted: Full welcome package (5,000 BluChips + meal voucher) is available only on the fee-paying variant, not the FD-backed route.
8. Similar & Alternative Cards
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IndiGo Kotak XL Credit Card: Lower joining/annual fee (around ₹3,000) and similar BluChip focus. Better if you want lower fixed cost; IDFC version offers higher potential milestone BluChips and dual-network cards.
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Axis Ace or HDFC Regalia / Infinia: Stronger overall travel benefits including lounges and higher reward rates on general spends. Prefer these if you fly multiple airlines or need lounge access.
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IDFC FIRST Select / Wealth: Lifetime-free or lower-fee IDFC cards with reward points instead of BluChips. Better for non-IndiGo focused spending.
9. Official Website & Essential Links
10. How to Apply
Online Steps:
- Visit the official IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual Credit Card page on the IDFC FIRST Bank website or app.
- Choose between the fee-based variant (₹4,999 + GST) or the FD-backed zero-joining-fee variant.
- Enter your personal details, mobile number, PAN and complete OTP verification.
- For the unsecured route, provide income details; for the FD route, create or link the required Fixed Deposit.
- Complete Video KYC / document upload. On approval you receive two physical cards (Mastercard + RuPay) sharing one credit limit and statement.
Documents Required:
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Identity & Address: PAN Card, Aadhaar and address proof as per KYC norms.
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Income Proof (Unsecured): Salary slips, ITR or bank statements (typically last 3–6 months).
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FD Route: No income documents needed – only the Fixed Deposit of the required amount with IDFC FIRST Bank.
11. Safety & Fraud Prevention Tips
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OTP & CVV Security: Banks or officials never ask for OTP, CVV or passwords over the phone or email. Never share these details.
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Safe Links: Always apply only through the official IDFC FIRST Bank website or verified app to avoid phishing.
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Monitor Transactions: Enable SMS and email alerts. Review statements regularly and report any unauthorised activity immediately.
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Dual Card Management: Keep both Mastercard and RuPay cards secure. You can temporarily block either card via the app if needed.
12. Should You Get This Card? (Final Verdict)
Pros Summary: Perfect for travellers who fly IndiGo frequently and book primarily on the IndiGo website or app. The dual-card setup, strong BluChip earn rates on flights, milestone bonuses and low 1.49% forex make it a compelling choice if you can utilise the rewards for free or discounted flights.
Final Conclusion: Yes — if IndiGo is your primary airline and you can absorb the ₹4,999 + GST annual fee through regular flying and milestone spends. If you fly multiple airlines, need lounge access, or want lower fixed costs, explore alternatives. Always check the latest joining offer, FD requirements and BluChip redemption value on the official website before applying.
13. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can this card be obtained as Lifetime Free?
A: No. There is a joining fee of ₹4,999 + GST (waivable via eligible FD) and an annual fee of ₹4,999 + GST from the second year with no spend-based full waiver.
Q: What is the minimum Fixed Deposit for the zero-joining-fee variant?
A: Typically ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh (confirm the exact current requirement on the official page). Joining benefits such as the 5,000 BluChips voucher are not available on the FD route.
Q: Do I get one card or two?
A: You receive two physical cards – one Mastercard and one RuPay – sharing a single credit limit and statement. All spends count toward BluChips and milestones.
Q: How many BluChips do I earn on IndiGo flights?
A: Up to 22 BluChips per ₹100 (6 from the credit card + up to 16 from your IndiGo BluChip membership tier) when you book via the IndiGo website or app.
Q: Is there airport lounge access?
A: No, lounge access is not a standard benefit of this card.
Q: What is the forex markup?
A: 1.49% – lower than the typical 3.5% charged by many cards.
Q: Can BluChips be redeemed for flights of other airlines?
A: No. BluChips are IndiGo’s loyalty currency and are redeemed for IndiGo flights (with no blackout dates).
Q: Are there milestone rewards?
A: Yes. You can earn vouchers of 5,000 BluChips each on annual spends of ₹2 lakh, ₹5 lakh, ₹8 lakh, ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh (maximum 25,000 BluChips per year).
Q: What is the value of one BluChip?
A: The value is dynamic and typically ranges between ₹0.40 and ₹0.60 depending on the route, date and demand. It is not a fixed cash equivalent.
Q: Who should avoid this card?
A: Occasional flyers, those who prefer other airlines, or anyone seeking lounge access and lower annual fees should consider alternative cards.
14. Expert Help & Next Steps
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15. Disclaimer
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.
We are not responsible for any financial losses or approved/rejected applications.
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