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IDFC FIRST Bank Business Credit Card VS BOBCARD ICSI Diamond 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: 21 July 2026

Both IDFC FIRST Bank Business Credit Card and BOBCARD ICSI Diamond Credit Card suit business-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. IDFC FIRST Bank Business Credit Card costs ₹499 + GST and earns up to 10X Reward Points on foreign currency, 4X on business utility & digital advertising. BOBCARD ICSI Diamond Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns up to 5 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, online & utility bills; 1 RP per ₹100 on others. IDFC FIRST Bank Business Credit Card also brings 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter, on minimum monthly spend of ₹20,000, while BOBCARD ICSI Diamond Credit Card counters with 12 complimentary access passes annually (3 per quarter), subject to ₹40k spend from Jan 2025. Weigh the fee against the reward rate above to see which fits your spending pattern better.

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹499 + GST
Joining FeeLifetime Free
Renewal Fee₹999 + GST
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based WaiverNot applicable as the card is lifetime free.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99%
Foreign Transaction Fees2% of the total transaction amount.
Interest Rate (APR)Low Interest Variant: 1.5-2% p.m. High Reward Variant: 3% p.m. 3.99% p.m. on less than Min Due.
Interest Rate (APR)3.49% per month.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
Welcome BonusComplimentary 6-month FitPass Pro membership. 500 bonus Reward Points on spending ₹5,000 or more within 60 days.
Rewards RateUp to 10X Reward Points on business spends (forex, utility, digital ad). Choose low interest or high rewards.
Rewards RateEarn 1 RP on every ₹100 retail spend; 5x RP on dining, online, utility bills (capped).
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption instance.
Reward Redemption FeeNil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary airport lounge visits per quarter (domestic/international) on ₹20,000 spend in previous month.
Domestic Lounge Access12 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses annually (3 per quarter).
International Lounge Access2 complimentary airport lounge visits per quarter (domestic/international) on ₹20,000 spend in previous month.
International Lounge Access
Travel BenefitsUp to 25% bonus on hotel/travel bookings via app. Includes comprehensive travel insurance benefits.
Travel Benefits12 complimentary domestic lounge accesses annually; reduced 2% forex markup fee.
Movie Benefits
Movie Benefits
Dining Benefits1X/2X Reward Points on rentals, restaurants & utility.
Dining BenefitsEarn 5x Reward Points on dining spends (capped at 1000 RP/cycle).
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge WaiverWaiver up to ₹500 per statement cycle.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel spends between ₹400-₹5,000, capped at ₹250 per month.

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsRoad Side Assistance, ₹10L Personal Accident Cover, Lost Card, Credit Shield, Purchase Protection, Travel Insurance.
Insurance BenefitsAir accident death cover (₹15L), non-air accident death cover (₹5L), professional indemnity (₹5L).
Cash Advance Charges₹199 + GST for each instance. Up to 10% of total Credit Limit.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% (min ₹300) domestic; 3% (min ₹300) international.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

IDFC FIRST Bank Business Credit Card

BOBCARD ICSI Diamond Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers flexibility to choose between a low-interest rate plan or a high-rewards earning plan.

Reward Points are valid for a lifetime and have no expiry.

Low forex markup of 1.99%, significantly lower than the industry average.

Provides complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access.

Comprehensive insurance benefits including Road Side Assistance, Personal Accident Cover, and Travel Insurance.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Lifetime free card with zero joining and annual fees, offering great value.

Accelerated 5x Reward Points on dining, online, and utility bill payments.

Enjoy 12 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses annually for travel convenience.

Reduced foreign currency markup of 2% makes international transactions more affordable.

Comprehensive insurance coverage provides financial security for cardholders.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

While reward earning is strong, the redemption options could be improved.

Complimentary lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹20,000 in the previous month.

A rewards redemption fee of ₹99 + GST is applicable per redemption instance.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

5x accelerated rewards are capped at 1000 Reward Points per statement cycle.

Complimentary lounge access will become spend-based from January 1, 2025.

No Reward Points are earned on fuel transactions, limiting benefits in this category.

UPI transactions only earn core Reward Points, missing out on bonus rewards.

Card is exclusively available only for active members of The Institute of Company Secretaries of India.

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.