IDFC First Classic Credit Card

About IDFC First Classic Credit Card

Are you tired of paying annual fees for a credit card that barely gives anything back? The IDFC First Classic Credit Card flips the script by offering a premium experience with absolutely zero joining or annual fees for life. It is a rare find in the Indian market where you get reward points that never expire and a low-interest rate structure that does not penalize you heavily for occasional carry-overs.

This card is built for young professionals and salaried individuals earning at least ₹25,000 monthly who want to maximize their daily spends. Whether you are spending on groceries, online shopping, or utility bills, this card ensures you get a piece of that spend back in your pocket. If you spend around ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 every month, you can easily see a value-back that covers your minor lifestyle expenses like movie tickets or dining out.

What sets it apart:

• Truly Lifetime Free: Unlike many cards that waive fees only if you spend a certain amount, this card has a permanent ₹0 joining and annual fee structure.
• Accelerated Milestone Rewards: You get 10X reward points on all incremental monthly spends that cross the ₹20,000 mark.
• Never-Expiring Points: Most banks wipe out your hard-earned points after 2-3 years, but IDFC First rewards stay with you forever.

Quick check: To qualify for this card, you should be between 21-60 years old. While the bank officially asks for a minimum annual income of ₹3 lakh for salaried folks, we recommend having an income of ₹4 lakh or more to increase your approval chances significantly.

Let's break down why this card deserves a permanent spot in your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of IDFC First Classic Credit Card

The IDFC First Classic Credit Card is packed with features that target three main areas: rewards, lifestyle, and travel. Since it is a lifetime free card, every single benefit you use is pure profit for you.

Welcome Benefits to Kickstart Your Savings

When you get your hands on this card, the bank rewards you for your initial spends. You can get a welcome voucher worth ₹500 if you spend ₹5,000 or more within the first 30 days of the card being generated. This is an easy 10% value-back right at the start. Additionally, if you choose to convert your first big purchase into an EMI within those same 30 days, you get a 5% cashback of up to ₹1,000 on that transaction value. It is a great way to offset the interest cost of your first EMI.

The 10X Reward Point System

The reward structure is where this card truly shines. Here is how you earn points:

• 10X Reward Points: You get this accelerated rate on all incremental monthly spends above ₹20,000 and on all spends made on your birthday.
• 6X Reward Points: Earned on all online spends up to the ₹20,000 monthly milestone.
• 3X Reward Points: Earned on all offline (store) spends up to the ₹20,000 monthly milestone.
• Special Categories: You earn 3X points on categories that are usually excluded by other cards, such as rental payments, property management, government services, education fees, and wallet loads.
• Utility Bills: You earn 1 Reward Point for every ₹100 spent on utility bills, making those recurring electricity and water payments slightly more rewarding.

Note that 1 Reward Point is equal to ₹0.25. Since the points never expire, you can accumulate them over years to redeem for a high-value item from their catalogue at firstrewards.in.

Travel and Railway Lounge Access

If you prefer train travel for your weekend getaways, this card is a fantastic companion. You get 4 complimentary visits per quarter to railway lounges across India. However, keep in mind a new rule starting February 20, 2025: you will need to spend at least ₹20,000 in the current calendar month to get access to the lounge in the following month. This makes it a great "primary" card for those who hit that spend milestone regularly.

Additionally, you get complimentary roadside assistance worth ₹1,399. This service is valid up to four times a year and is a lifesaver if your car breaks down, runs out of fuel, or gets a flat tire in the middle of a trip.

Movie and Dining Perks

For the movie buffs, the IDFC First Classic Credit Card offers a 25% discount on movie tickets. You can save up to ₹100 once per month when you book your tickets through the District by Zomato app. On the dining front, you can enjoy up to 20% discount at over 1,500 partner restaurants across India, making your weekend dinners more affordable.

Insurance and Security

Safety is a priority with this card. It comes with a Personal Accident Cover of ₹2,00,000. It also offers a Lost Card Liability Cover of ₹25,000. To keep this protection active, you just need to make at least one transaction on your card every 30 days. This ensures that if your card is ever stolen or misused, your financial liability is limited.

Fee Structure and Eligibility

As mentioned, the joining and annual fees are ₹0. There is no waiver condition because there is no fee to begin with. To apply, you need a CRIF or CIBIL score of 720 or higher. For self-employed individuals, the bank looks for an annual income of ₹5 LPA, though a stable profile with ₹4 LPA might also find success during the application process.

How to Apply for IDFC First Classic Credit Card?

The application process for the IDFC First Classic Credit Card is simple and mostly digital. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Go to the official IDFC First Bank website or a trusted partner platform like BankKaro.
2. Fill in your basic details like mobile number, date of birth, and PAN card number.
3. Step 2: Ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹25,000 monthly for salaried or ₹5 LPA for self-employed to proceed.
4. Choose the "Classic" variant from the list of cards you are eligible for.
5. Complete the digital Video KYC (Know Your Customer) process using your original PAN card and a white paper for a signature.
6. After verification, the bank will process your application. You can expect the physical card to arrive at your registered address within 7-10 working days.

Note: A minimum transaction of ₹100 within the first 30 days of getting your card is mandatory to activate it. If you miss this, you will lose out on your welcome rewards.

Documents Required for IDFC First Classic Credit Card Application

You'll need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income, 6 months' bank statements, and CA-certified financials
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration (if applicable), or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification.

Credit Limit and What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and banking relationship. Most applicants receive a starting limit between ₹40,000 and ₹3,00,000, determined strictly by your existing credit history and monthly take-home pay. If you have a clean repayment record and a score above 720, you might get a limit that comfortably covers your monthly ₹20,000 spend target to hit those 10X rewards. You can request a limit increase after 6-12 months of disciplined usage.

Comparison Table: IDFC First Classic vs. Competitors

Before you decide, it is important to see how this card stacks up against other popular "entry-level" or "value" cards in the market.

While the Amazon Pay ICICI card is better for heavy Amazon shoppers, the IDFC First Classic wins if you want a versatile reward system that never expires and includes railway lounge access. If you prefer airport lounges, the Axis Ace is a better pick despite its annual fee.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here's who benefits most:

The "Zero-Fee" Advocate: If you hate the idea of paying a bank just to own a credit card, this is for you. Since it's lifetime free, you can keep it as a backup card or a primary one without ever worrying about a surprise fee on your statement.

The Commuter: If you are a young professional who frequently travels by train to visit family or for work, the 4 railway lounge visits per quarter are worth thousands of rupees in saved meal costs. You can wait for your train in a clean, air-conditioned environment with free food.

The Birthday Spender: If you usually make big purchases like a new phone or a laptop around your birthday, the 10X reward points on birthday spends can give you a massive boost in savings that no other basic card offers.

You might want to skip this card if:

• You specifically want airport lounge access, as this card only covers railway lounges.
• Your monthly spends are very low (below ₹5,000), as you won't hit the milestone rewards that make this card truly valuable.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the IDFC First Classic Credit Card excels at providing a premium-lite experience for exactly zero cost. Most "lifetime free" cards in India are basic and offer very low reward rates, but IDFC has broken that mold. The 10X reward system for spends above ₹20,000 is a smart move because it encourages you to use this as your primary card.

The biggest limitation is the new spend-based criteria for railway lounge access starting in 2025. Earlier, these were truly "complimentary," but now they require a ₹20,000 monthly spend. Another slight downside is the exclusion of fuel and EMIs from the 10X rewards, which is standard but still worth noting. Also, the 1 RP = ₹0.25 conversion rate is decent but not industry-leading.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you want a reliable, no-nonsense card with a great reward structure and railway perks. It is an excellent first or second card for anyone looking to build their credit history while earning rewards that never expire.

Terms and Conditions

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility; please carefully review the features and benefits of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of ₹100 within 30 days of card issuance is required to activate the card, failing which you will not be eligible for rewards.
• Reward points are not earned on fuel spends, EMI transactions, and ATM cash withdrawals.
• Railway lounge access from February 20, 2025, requires a minimum spend of ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month.
• Full terms and conditions are available directly on the IDFC First Bank official website.