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Federal Bank Visa Celesta 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 Visa Celesta Credit Card and IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns 3x points on Travel & International, 2x on Dining, and 1x on all other spends. IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns up to 10X Reward Points on spends above ₹20,000 per month. Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card also brings 2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter on ₹60,000 spend in previous quarter, while IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card counters with 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter. Weigh the fee against the reward rate above to see which fits your spending pattern better.

Fees & Charges

Joining FeeLifetime Free
Joining FeeLifetime Free
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based Waiver
Foreign Transaction FeesA low foreign currency markup of 2% applies to all international transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% + GST (approx. 2.35% effective).
Interest Rate (APR)Dynamic APR from 0.69% to 3.75% per month (8.28% to 45% p.a.) based on AMB.
Interest Rate (APR)8.5% to 46.2% p.a. based on credit score & usage.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusReceive an Amazon Pay e-Voucher worth ₹600 on a minimum spend of ₹10,000 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 RateEarn 3x points on Travel & International, 2x on Dining, and 1x on all other spends.
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 + GST will be charged per redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter on ₹60,000 spend in previous quarter.
Domestic Lounge Access1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month).
International Lounge Access2 complimentary international lounge accesses per year without any specific spend criteria.
International Lounge Access
Travel BenefitsEnjoy 3x Reward Points on travel spends and complimentary domestic & international lounge access.
Travel Benefits10X rewards on travel, bonus points on flights/hotels via app, 300+ merchant offers.
Movie BenefitsBuy One Get One (BOGO) offer on INOX movie tickets, once a month.
Movie BenefitsBuy 1 Get 1 movie ticket offer up to ₹125, twice monthly (spend ₹20k/month).
Dining BenefitsEarn 2x Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on dining categories.
Dining Benefits10X rewards on dining & 300+ merchant offers.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge WaiverEnjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India.
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 ChargesCharges are 2.5% of amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher.
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 Visa Celesta Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

This Federal Bank Celesta card is lifetime free with no joining or annual fees.

Benefit from a low foreign currency markup fee of just 2% on international transactions.

Enjoy complimentary international lounge access twice a year without any spend conditions.

Earn accelerated reward points on your travel, international, and dining expenditures.

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 overall reward rate offered by the Celesta card might be lower than some premium alternatives.

Beyond movie tickets, the card offers limited lifestyle benefits or exclusive deals.

Domestic lounge access is conditional, requiring a minimum spend in the prior quarter.

High interest rates apply if your average monthly bank balance is not substantial.

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.