IDFC First Wealth Credit Card Review 2026

Bottom line: The IDFC First Wealth Credit Card is one of the best lifetime-free cards in India for travellers who spend over Rs 20,000/month. But recent reward devaluations (effective April 2026) mean you need to spend strategically — it’s no longer a mindless swipe-everywhere card.

What Makes This Card Stand Out

Three words: lifetime free premium. In a market where banks charge Rs 1,500–10,000 annually for comparable cards, IDFC First charges nothing. No joining fee. No annual fee. No conditions to waive it. That alone puts it in a rare category.

Add a 1.5% forex markup (among the lowest in India — most cards charge 3.5%), complimentary lounge access, and 10X reward points on high spends, and you’ve got a card that punches well above its weight class.

But here’s the catch: IDFC First Bank revised its reward structure in early 2026, and not in your favour.

The 2026 Reward Changes — What Actually Changed

IDFC First Bank quietly made the Wealth card less rewarding. Here’s the before and after:

Feature	Before (2026)	After (April 2026)
Reward rate (base)	1 point per Rs 150 spent	1 point per Rs 200 spent
10X multiplier trigger	Spends above Rs 20,000/month	Spends above Rs 20,000/month (unchanged)
Below Rs 20,000/month	10X rewards on all spends	Only 3X reward points
Reward value per point	~Rs 0.25	~Rs 0.25
Effective cashback (10X, post-change)	~1.67%	~1.25%
Effective cashback (3X, post-change)	~0.5%	~0.375%

The 10X multiplier still kicks in above Rs 20,000/month, but the base rate dropped 25%. If you’re spending less than Rs 20,000/month, this card just became significantly less attractive — you’re earning only 3X instead of 10X.

The takeaway: This card now rewards high spenders and penalises casual users. If your monthly credit card spend is below Rs 20,000, look elsewhere.

Travel Benefits — The Real Draw

Airport Lounge Access

The Wealth card offers complimentary domestic airport lounge access — useful if you’re flying out of metros like Delhi T3, Mumbai T2, or Bengaluru. Note: the Select card (one tier below) got cut to just 1 domestic lounge visit per quarter from April 2026, but the Wealth card retains better access.

Don’t expect international lounge access here though. For that, you’re looking at the IDFC First Ashva or cards from other banks entirely.

1.5% Forex Markup

This is where the Wealth card genuinely shines for travellers. Most Indian credit cards charge 3.5% forex markup on international transactions. The Wealth card charges just 1.5%.

For context: if you spend Rs 1,00,000 abroad, you save Rs 2,000 compared to a standard 3.5% card. Over a year of international travel, that adds up fast.

For comparison, here’s how it stacks up against other low-forex options:

Card	Forex Markup	Annual Fee	Lounge Access
IDFC First Wealth	1.5%	Nil (lifetime free)	Domestic
Niyo Global (SBM)	0% (on Niyo wallet)	Nil	None
BookMyForex Card	0%	Rs 499	None
HDFC Infinia	2% + GST	Rs 12,500	Domestic + International
SBI Elite	1.99% + GST	Rs 4,999	Domestic + International

The Wealth card isn’t the absolute cheapest for forex, but it’s the best credit card option at this price point (free). Niyo and BookMyForex are prepaid/forex cards — different use case entirely.

Railway Lounge Access

A nice bonus: complimentary railway lounge access at select stations including Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Agra, Madurai, and Kolkata Sealdah. Not a game-changer, but handy if you travel by Rajdhani or Shatabdi regularly.

Who Should Get This Card

Get it if:

You spend more than Rs 20,000/month on credit cards
You travel internationally and want low forex markup without paying an annual fee
You want a solid backup travel card alongside a premium card like HDFC Infinia or Axis Atlas

Skip it if:

Your monthly spend is under Rs 20,000 — the 3X rewards post-April 2026 aren’t worth it
You need international lounge access (this card doesn’t offer it)
You want top-tier travel insurance or concierge services

The Verdict

The IDFC First Wealth card is a strong secondary card for Indian travellers. The lifetime-free model and 1.5% forex markup make it a no-brainer to keep in your wallet for international spends. But after the April 2026 devaluation, it’s harder to justify as your primary everyday card unless you’re consistently above that Rs 20,000/month threshold.

Think of it as the reliable understudy — it won’t headline your wallet, but it’ll save you money when you need it most.

Best Travel Credit Cards in India 2026 — Full comparison of cards with lounge access, forex markup, and travel insurance
Credit Card Comparison Tool — Side-by-side comparison of any two cards
RBI Rules Every Cardholder Should Know — Billing cycles, dispute rights, and the new tokenisation rules

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the IDFC First Wealth Credit Card really lifetime free?

Yes. There is no joining fee and no annual fee — ever. IDFC First Bank does not require a minimum spend to waive fees. It’s genuinely lifetime free, which is rare for a card with this feature set.

What is the forex markup on the IDFC First Wealth Credit Card?

1.5%, which is among the lowest for any credit card in India. Most competing cards charge 3.5% or more. GST applies on top, but the effective rate is still significantly cheaper than alternatives.

How many lounge visits do I get with this card?

You get complimentary domestic airport lounge access and railway lounge access at select stations. The exact number of complimentary visits per quarter can vary — check the IDFC First Bank website for the latest limits, as these were revised in early 2026.

What changed in the April 2026 reward revision?

The base reward rate dropped from 1 point per Rs 150 to 1 point per Rs 200 (a 25% cut). Spends below Rs 20,000/month now earn only 3X points instead of 10X. The 10X multiplier still applies for monthly spends above Rs 20,000.

Is the IDFC First Wealth card good for international travel?

It’s excellent for international purchases thanks to the 1.5% forex markup. However, it lacks international lounge access and premium travel insurance. Pair it with a card like the HDFC Infinia or Axis Atlas for those benefits.

What is the eligibility for the IDFC First Wealth Credit Card?

IDFC First Bank typically requires an annual income of Rs 6,00,000 or above. Existing IDFC First Bank account holders or FD holders may get easier approval. The bank uses its own underwriting criteria, so having a good CIBIL score (750+) helps.