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Federal Bank Imperio 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 Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card and IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card suit shopping-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns bespoke 3-2-1 rewards structure on healthcare, groceries, and utility bill payments. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns up to 10X Reward Points on spends above ₹20,000 per month. Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card also brings complimentary domestic airport lounge access, while IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card counters with 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter. If utilities spending matters more, go with Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card; if travel is the priority, IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card fits better.

Fees & Charges

Joining FeeLifetime Free
Joining FeeLifetime Free
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based Waiver
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% of the transacted amount.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% + GST (approx. 2.35% effective).
Interest Rate (APR)Dynamic APR from 1.99% p.m. (23.88% p.a.) up to 3.75% p.m. (45% p.a.).
Interest Rate (APR)8.5% to 46.2% p.a. based on credit score & usage.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusAmazon Pay e-Voucher worth ₹400 on a minimum spend of ₹5,000 within the first 30 days.
Welcome Bonus₹500 gift voucher on ₹5k spend & 5% cashback up to ₹1k on first EMI, both within 30 days.
Rewards RateBespoke 3-2-1 rewards structure on healthcare, groceries, and utility bill payments.
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 FeeA nominal convenience fee of ₹99 (minimum) will be charged per redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge AccessComplimentary domestic airport lounge access.
Domestic Lounge Access1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month).
International Lounge Access
International Lounge Access
Travel Benefits
Travel Benefits10X rewards on travel, bonus points on flights/hotels via app, 300+ merchant offers.
Movie BenefitsBuy One Get One (BOGO) offers on INOX movie tickets.
Movie BenefitsBuy 1 Get 1 movie ticket offer up to ₹125, twice monthly (spend ₹20k/month).
Dining Benefits
Dining Benefits10X rewards on dining & 300+ merchant offers.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on ₹200-₹5,000 transactions, max ₹300/cycle.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Insurance Benefits₹1 Cr Air Accident, ₹5 L Personal Accident, ₹50k Lost Card, ₹10k Trip Cancellation, USD 300 Travel.
Cash Advance Charges
Cash Advance Charges₹199 + GST per transaction; interest-free for up to 45 days.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

Federal Bank Imperio Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy a lifetime free credit card with no joining or annual renewal fees.

Earn accelerated reward points on essential family spends like groceries and utilities.

Benefit from complimentary domestic airport lounge access for comfortable travel.

Get Buy One Get One offers on INOX movie tickets, perfect for entertainment.

Receive valuable Big Basket vouchers upon reaching quarterly spending milestones.

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.

A nominal convenience fee of ₹99 is charged for each reward redemption request.

The card has a relatively high foreign currency markup of 3.5% on international spends.

Interest rates are dynamic and can be as high as 45% p.a. based on AMB.

Lounge access is limited to domestic airports only, with no international benefits.

Specific dining and general travel benefits beyond lounge access are not detailed.

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.