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Cashback SBI Credit Card VS HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card VS IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 3 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.

Features

Cashback SBI Credit Card
Cashback SBI Credit Card
HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee
₹999 + GST
₹1,000 + GST
Nil
Renewal Fee
₹999 + GST
₹1,000 + GST
Nil
Spend Based Waiver
Annual fee is reversed if annual spends in the previous year are Rs. 2,00,000 or more.
Renewal fee waived on spending ₹1,00,000 or more in the preceding 12 months.
Not Applicable (Lifetime Free Card)
Foreign Transaction Fees
3.5% + GST
3.5% + GST on international spends.
3.5% of the total transaction value.
Interest Rate (APR)
3.75% per month (45% per annum)
3.75% per month (45% annually).
Variable rates ranging from 8.5% to 46.2% per annum (0.75% to 3.5% per month).

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
No specific welcome benefits or joining perks are listed for this card.
Receive 1,000 bonus CashPoints upon successful realization of the joining fee.
₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend, 5% EMI cashback, and up to ₹200 UPI cashback offer.
Rewards Rate
5% cashback on online spends (capped at Rs. 2,000 per statement cycle) and 1% cashback on offline spends (capped at Rs. 2,000 per statement cycle); max combined Rs. 4,000 per statement cycle.
Earn 5% cashback on select online merchants & 1% on other eligible online/offline spends.
10X points on spends above ₹20,000 and birthdays; 3X on other spends (1X = 1 pt per ₹200).
Reward Type
Cashback
Cashback
Reward Points
Reward Redemption Fee
Not applicable
₹50 + GST for cash redemption, ₹99 + GST for other requests (effective Aug 2024).
₹99 + GST per redemption request.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access
Complimentary airport lounge access voucher upon achieving quarterly spend milestones.
4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter (subject to monthly spend of ₹20,000).
International Lounge Access
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Travel Benefits
Redeem CashPoints for up to 50% of flight & hotel bookings via SmartBuy Rewards Portal.
Bonus rewards on travel: 33% extra points for hotels and 13% for flight bookings via bank app.
Movie Benefits
5% cashback on BookMyShow and Sony LIV, capped at 1,000 CashPoints per cycle.
25% discount up to ₹100 on movie tickets via District by Zomato mobile app, once per month.
Dining Benefits
10% additional discount on Swiggy Dineout, flat ₹200 off (min ₹2000), twice monthly.
Up to 20% discount at 1,500+ partnered restaurants and 15% off at 3,000+ health outlets.
Golf Benefits
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000 at petrol pumps across India, capped at Rs. 100 per statement cycle.
1% waiver for transactions ₹400-₹5,000, max ₹250 per statement cycle.
1% waiver for transactions between ₹200 and ₹5,000 (max ₹200 per cycle).

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Zero liability on fraudulent transactions if lost card is reported immediately.
₹2,00,000 Personal Accident Cover and ₹25,000 Lost Card Liability Cover included.
Cash Advance Charges
2.5% of the amount withdrawn or a minimum charge of Rs. 500.
2.5% of transaction amount, minimum fee of ₹500.
₹199 + GST per transaction; interest-free for up to 48 days.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

Cashback SBI Credit Card

HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Millennia Credit Card

Who is it for?

The Cashback SBI Card is an entry-level cashback credit card that delivers straightforward savings on everyday spending with 5% cashback on online transactions and 1% on offline spends. It pairs flat cashback with a fuel surcharge waiver and a spend-based annual fee waiver, making it ideal for users who want direct, easy-to-track benefits without managing points. Best suited for regular shoppers and online spenders who can meet the Rs. 2 lakh annual spend threshold, this card simplifies rewards while offering global acceptance and contactless convenience.

Who is it for?

The HDFC Bank Millennia Credit Card is an entry-level cashback card primarily designed for young professionals and millennials. It offers a significant 5% cashback on popular online merchants and 1% on other eligible spends. Users can enjoy attractive gift vouchers for achieving quarterly spend milestones and a renewal fee waiver based on annual spending. This card is positioned to help users save on lifestyle expenses and build a strong credit profile through versatile reward redemptions.

Who is it for?

The First Millennia Credit Card by IDFC FIRST Bank is a premium lifetime-free entry-level card designed for young professionals. It offers a unique reward system where points never expire, alongside exclusive perks like railway lounge access, movie discounts, and low interest rates starting from 8.5% p.a.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Decent 5% cashback on online spends and 1% on offline spends for solid everyday savings.

High monthly cashback cap of Rs. 4,000 across categories boosts total earnings potential.

Strong option for online spending compared to other cashback cards with simple auto-credit.

Contactless payment facility available for quick and secure low-value transactions.

Global acceptance in over 24 million outlets ensures usability during travel and shopping.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

High 5% cashback on popular partner merchants including Myntra, Amazon.

Renewal fee waiver on spending ₹1 Lakh in the card anniversary year.

Provides substantial savings for digital-savvy consumers on daily spends.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy the benefit of a lifetime-free card with no joining or annual fees ever.

Earn reward points that never expire, ensuring you never lose the value you have earned.

Access complimentary railway lounges 4 times per quarter at major stations across India.

Benefit from exceptionally low interest rates starting from just 8.5% per annum.

Comprehensive protection with personal accident insurance and 24/7 roadside assistance.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Several categories are excluded from cashback eligibility, limiting earnings on key spends.

Annual fee is relatively high compared to the benefits for low spenders who cannot meet the waiver.

Spend-based waiver may be difficult to achieve if major spends fall in excluded categories.

No instant discounts during online sales, reducing appeal during promotional shopping periods.

Cashback exclusions on utilities, insurance, fuel, rent, and other services restrict utility.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Earns a lower 1% cashback on offline/online spends at non-partner merchants.

Accelerated 5% cashback is capped at 1,000 CashPoints per statement cycle.

A minimum of 500 CashPoints are required to redeem against statement balance.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The card lacks complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access for travelers.

A reward redemption fee of ₹99 plus GST is charged for every redemption transaction made.

High monthly spending of over ₹20,000 is required to unlock the 10X reward point benefit.

Essential spending categories like fuel and EMI transactions do not earn any reward points.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.