Skip to main content

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card VS SBI Prime 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.
Verified
Last updated: 26 July 2026

Both SBI Prime Credit Card and IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. SBI Prime Credit Card costs ₹2,999 + GST and earns 10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on dining, movies, groceries, and departmental store purchases. 2 RP on other spends. 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. SBI Prime Credit Card also brings 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per annum (maximum 2 visits per quarter), while IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card counters with 1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month). If shopping spending matters more, go with SBI Prime Credit Card; if international spends is the priority, IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card fits better.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
SBI Prime Credit Card
SBI Prime Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining FeeLifetime Free
Joining Fee₹2,999 + GST
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Renewal Fee₹2,999 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waived off if minimum of ₹3 lakhs spent in the previous year.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% + GST (approx. 2.35% effective).
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% + GST
Interest Rate (APR)8.5% to 46.2% p.a. based on credit score & usage.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% Per Month (45% Per Annum)

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus₹500 gift voucher on ₹5k spend & 5% cashback up to ₹1k on first EMI, both within 30 days.
Welcome BonusWelcome e-Gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from Yatra, Hush Puppies/Bata, Pantaloons, Aditya Birla Fashion, Shoppers Stop.
Rewards Rate10X on Dining, Travel, Intl & Birthday; 3X on others; 1X on Insurance, Utilities, Railways, FASTag.
Rewards Rate10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on dining, movies, groceries, and departmental store purchases. 2 RP on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points, Cashback, Other Benefits
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access1 domestic airport lounge & 4 railway lounge accesses per quarter (₹20k spend/month).
Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per annum (maximum 2 visits per quarter).
International Lounge Access
International Lounge Access4 complimentary international airport lounge access every year with Priority Pass Membership (max 2 per quarter).
Travel Benefits10X rewards on travel, bonus points on flights/hotels via app, 300+ merchant offers.
Travel BenefitsComplimentary Club ITC Silver Membership, discounts at ITC Hotels, travel vouchers, global acceptance.
Movie BenefitsBuy 1 Get 1 movie ticket offer up to ₹125, twice monthly (spend ₹20k/month).
Movie BenefitsEarn 10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on movies.
Dining Benefits10X rewards on dining & 300+ merchant offers.
Dining BenefitsEarn 10 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on dining; Amex variant offers up to 25% discount.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Complimentary Golf Rounds and Lessons are available with Mastercard and RuPay SELECT variants.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on ₹200-₹5,000 transactions, max ₹300/cycle.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹500-₹4,000, capped at ₹250/month.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits₹1 Cr Air Accident, ₹5 L Personal Accident, ₹50k Lost Card, ₹10k Trip Cancellation, USD 300 Travel.
Insurance BenefitsFraud Liability Cover Worth ₹1 Lakh and complimentary air accident liability cover of ₹50 lakhs.
Cash Advance Charges₹199 + GST per transaction; interest-free for up to 45 days.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher.
Apply Now(opens in new tab)
Apply Now(opens in new tab)
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card

SBI Prime Credit Card

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.

Who is it for?

The SBI Prime Credit Card is a premium lifestyle card offering value-added benefits for individuals who frequently spend on shopping and travel. It provides attractive welcome vouchers, accelerated reward points on dining, movies, groceries, and departmental stores. Cardholders also enjoy complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access, milestone benefits, and various network-specific privileges, making it a comprehensive choice for a rewarding lifestyle with a manageable annual fee.

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.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy 8 complimentary domestic and 4 international airport lounge visits annually.

Offers an attractive welcome benefit of gift vouchers worth ₹3,000 from popular brands.

The annual renewal fee can be waived upon achieving a minimum spend of ₹3 lakhs.

Offers exciting privileges across various lifestyle categories, including dining, entertainment, and golf.

Available in four variants (Mastercard, RuPay, Amex, VISA) with exclusive network benefits.

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.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The annual fee of ₹2,999 + GST might be high for users not maximizing benefits.

The base reward rate of 2 points per ₹100 on non-accelerated spends is relatively low.

A high interest rate of 3.75% per month (45% per annum) applies to outstanding balances.

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 IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for SBI Prime Credit Card(opens in new tab)