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Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card VS IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 26 July 2026

Both IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card and Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns 10X on Dining, Travel, Intl & Birthday; 3X on others; 1X on Insurance, Utilities, Railways, FASTag. Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card costs ₹3,000 + GST and earns 20 EDGE Points/₹200 on retail shopping (up to ₹20k/month), then 10 EDGE Points/₹200. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card also brings 1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month), while Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card counters with 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses every quarter on ₹50k spend in previous 3 months. If international spends spending matters more, go with IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card; if shopping is the priority, Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card fits better.

Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card
Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹3,000 + GST
Joining FeeLifetime Free
Renewal Fee₹3,000 + GST
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee waived on spends of ₹8 lakh or more in a card anniversary year.
Spend Based Waiver
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% of the transaction value.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% + GST (approx. 2.35% effective).
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (55.55% annually) for retail purchases and cash.
Interest Rate (APR)8.5% to 46.2% p.a. based on credit score & usage.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusGet 10,000 EDGE Reward Points worth ₹2,000 on your first card transaction within 30 days.
Welcome Bonus₹500 gift voucher on ₹5k spend & 5% cashback up to ₹1k on first EMI, both within 30 days.
Rewards RateEarn 20 EDGE Points/₹200 on retail shopping (up to ₹20k/month), then 10 EDGE Points/₹200.
Rewards Rate10X on Dining, Travel, Intl & Birthday; 3X on others; 1X on Insurance, Utilities, Railways, FASTag.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points, Cashback, Other Benefits
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 per redemption.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses every quarter on ₹50k spend in previous 3 months.
Domestic Lounge Access1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month).
International Lounge Access12 complimentary international airport lounge accesses annually with Priority Pass membership.
International Lounge Access
Travel Benefits12 complimentary international lounge accesses, 2 domestic lounge accesses/quarter, MakeMyTrip savings.
Travel Benefits10X rewards on travel, bonus points on flights/hotels via app, 300+ merchant offers.
Movie Benefits100% discount on 2nd movie ticket (up to ₹250, twice/month) via District app.
Movie BenefitsBuy 1 Get 1 movie ticket offer up to ₹125, twice monthly (spend ₹20k/month).
Dining BenefitsFlat ₹200 off on Swiggy (twice/month) & up to 25% off (up to ₹800) at partner restaurants.
Dining Benefits10X rewards on dining & 300+ merchant offers.
Golf Benefits6 complimentary golf rounds annually, plus 6 more on ₹3 lakh annual spend.
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver for fuel transactions between ₹400-₹4,000, max ₹400 waiver per cycle.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on ₹200-₹5,000 transactions, max ₹300/cycle.

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsPurchase Protection up to ₹1 lakh, travel document & baggage delay/loss cover up to USD 500.
Insurance Benefits₹1 Cr Air Accident, ₹5 L Personal Accident, ₹50k Lost Card, ₹10k Trip Cancellation, USD 300 Travel.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of cash amount, minimum ₹500.
Cash Advance Charges₹199 + GST per transaction; interest-free for up to 45 days.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Who is it for?

The Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card is a versatile sub-premium lifestyle card offering extensive benefits across travel, shopping, dining, and golf. Cardholders enjoy complimentary domestic and international lounge access, accelerated reward points on retail shopping, and exclusive discounts on Swiggy and BigBasket. This card is ideal for individuals seeking a balanced rewards rate alongside premium lifestyle privileges.

Who is it for?

The IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is a lifetime free offering from IDFC FIRST Bank, providing premium privileges without annual fees. It features a low 1.99% foreign currency markup and accelerated 10X reward points on dining, travel, and international transactions. Cardholders also enjoy complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge access. This card is ideal for those seeking comprehensive travel and lifestyle benefits without recurring costs.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers extensive lifestyle benefits across dining, shopping, travel, and golf categories.

Provides significant savings with discounts on popular platforms like Swiggy and BigBasket.

Includes valuable complimentary international and domestic airport lounge access.

Generous reward points on retail shopping, maximizing benefits for everyday spends.

Comprehensive insurance benefits provide added security for purchases and travel.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy the IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card with no joining or annual fees.

Benefit from a competitive low foreign currency markup of just 1.99%.

Access complimentary domestic airport and railway lounges quarterly with this card.

Comprehensive insurance covers like air accident, personal accident, and lost card liability.

Earn reward points on unique categories like rent, education, and wallet loads, often excluded elsewhere.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The joining and annual fees are relatively high for a sub-premium card.

Welcome benefits are less than the joining fee, reducing initial value for some users.

Reward points are not earned on essential categories like fuel, insurance, and utilities.

Domestic lounge access requires a minimum spend threshold in the preceding quarter.

High foreign currency markup of 3.5% makes international transactions expensive.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The reward earning rate on general spending categories is considered average.

Many key benefits, including lounge access and movie offers, are now spend-based (₹20k/month).

Reward points will now expire after 24 months, a change from the previous no-expiry policy.

This card does not provide complimentary international airport lounge access.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.
Apply for Axis Bank SELECT Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card(opens in new tab)