IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card

About IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card

Are you tired of watching your monthly budget disappear into your fuel tank without getting anything back? The IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card is designed to stop that drain by turning your essential spends into actual savings.

This card is a powerhouse for anyone who drives daily. It offers a massive 5% value back on fuel at HPCL stations, which can save you up to ₹9,084 every single year. Unlike basic cards that offer measly 1% rewards, this card targets your biggest monthly bills—fuel, groceries, and utilities—with accelerated 30X reward points.

Built for professionals and small business owners earning between ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh annually, this card fits perfectly into the lifestyle of a middle-income household that prioritizes utility over flash. Since it is a RuPay card, you can even link it to your favorite UPI apps for quick payments at local vendors.

What sets it apart:

• 5% savings on fuel at HPCL stations, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 1% to 2%.
• Unique 30X rewards structure that applies not just to fuel, but also to grocery and utility payments.
• Lower Forex Markup of 1.99% compared to the 3.5% standard charged by most entry-level cards.

Quick check: To qualify for this card, you will need a minimum monthly income of ₹25,000 and a CRIF score of 750 or above. If you spend at least ₹12,000 monthly on fuel and essentials, this card pays for itself many times over.

Let's break down why this card might be the smartest addition to your wallet this year:

Key Benefits & Features of the IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card

The IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card is structured to reward you for the money you have to spend anyway. Here is a detailed look at how the rewards and fee structures work:

High-Octane Fuel Rewards

The standout feature of this card is its partnership with HPCL. You earn 30 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent at authorized HPCL stations. Since 1 Reward Point is worth ₹0.25, this effectively equals a 5% return on your fuel spend. You can earn these accelerated rewards on spends up to ₹12,000 per statement cycle, allowing you to rack up 2,400 reward points every month just on petrol or diesel.

Triple Savings on Groceries and Utilities

Most fuel cards forget about your other household expenses, but the Power Plus card keeps the 30X momentum going. You get the same 5% value back (30 points per ₹150) on grocery purchases and utility bills. Whether it is your electricity, water, or gas bill, you earn significant rewards on spends up to ₹2,000 per month in each category. This makes it a versatile tool for managing a household budget.

Extra Gains with HP Pay App

If you use the HP Pay App to pay by scanning a QR code or uploading money to the wallet using this card, you get an additional 1.5% savings. When combined with the card's base rewards, your total savings on fuel can climb even higher, making it one of the most rewarding fuel cards in the Indian market.

IDFC FIRST FASTag Benefits

For those who frequently use highways, the card offers 5% rewards on FASTag recharges. You simply need to recharge your IDFC FIRST FASTag through the bank's mobile app or the FIRST Forward App to avail of this benefit.

Welcome Bonus and Fee Structure

The card comes with a joining fee of ₹499 plus GST. However, the bank effectively offsets this cost by offering a ₹500 cashback on your first HPCL fuel transaction of ₹500 or more. Essentially, the card is "free" for the first year if you use it at a gas station within the first 30 days.

For the second year onwards, there is an annual fee of ₹499. You can get this fee waived completely if you spend ₹1,50,000 or more in the previous year. For a user spending ₹12,500 a month on combined fuel, groceries, and bills, this waiver is very achievable.

Financial and Travel Perks

• Low Forex Markup: Most cards charge 3.5% for international transactions. This card charges only 1.99%, making it a decent companion for international online shopping or occasional trips abroad.
• EMI Cashback: If you make a big purchase and convert it to an EMI of 6 months or more within the first 30 days of getting the card, you get 5% cashback up to ₹1,000.
• Insurance Cover: The card provides travel and purchase protection insurance. This includes Personal Accident Cover of ₹2,00,000 and Lost Card Liability Cover of ₹25,000, ensuring comprehensive protection.

How to Apply for the IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card

Applying for the IDFC First Power Plus card is a straightforward digital process. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Visit the IDFC FIRST Bank official website or download their mobile application.
2. Navigate to the "Credit Cards" section and select the "IDFC First Power Plus" card.
3. Enter your mobile number and PAN card details to check for a pre-approved offer.
4. Step 2: Ensure you meet the minimum income criteria (₹3 LPA for salaried or ₹4 LPA for self-employed) and have a CRIF score of at least 750.
5. Fill in your personal details including employment type, office address, and residential address.
6. Complete the Video KYC (Know Your Customer) process using your original PAN card and Aadhaar.
7. Once the bank verifies your documents and eligibility, the card is dispatched to your registered address.

Digital applications are processed and approved within 7 to 10 working days, with the physical card dispatched immediately upon approval.

Credit Limit & What to Expect

Credit limits for the IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card are not fixed and are assigned based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. For an applicant meeting the minimum income requirement of ₹25,000 per month, the starting credit limit range falls between ₹30,000 and ₹75,000.

If you maintain a high CRIF score (above 750) and pay your bills on time, the bank may offer a limit increase after 6-12 months of usage. Factors like your debt-to-income ratio and the limit on your other existing credit cards also play a major role in the bank's decision. Your final assigned limit will be confirmed in your welcome kit based on your documented income profile.

Comparison Table: IDFC First Power Plus vs. Competitors

To understand the true value of this card, we must compare it with other popular fuel-focused credit cards in India.

The IDFC First Power Plus stands out because it offers the lowest Forex markup in this segment and provides a very high reward rate on both groceries and utilities simultaneously. While the HDFC IndianOil card is easier to get a fee waiver on, the Power Plus card offers better value for those who can spend around ₹12,500 monthly.

Documents Required for IDFC First Power Plus 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.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits most from the IDFC First Power Plus:

The Daily Office Commuter: If you are a professional who drives 30-40 km daily and spends around ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 on fuel every month, this card is a no-brainer. At that spend level, you are looking at earning roughly ₹5,000 worth of reward points in a year just from petrol, which covers your annual fee and still leaves you with a profit.

The Household Budgeter: If you are the one responsible for paying the family's electricity bills, gas connection, and weekend grocery hauls, you can maximize the 30X points. By spending ₹2,000 on utilities and ₹2,000 on groceries monthly, you earn enough points to significantly reduce your next fuel bill.

The UPI Enthusiast: Since this is a RuPay card, you can link it to apps like BHIM, PhonePe, or GPay. This allows you to earn rewards even on small transactions at local shops that accept UPI, something that Visa or Mastercard variants cannot do.

You might want to skip this card if:

• You prefer fueling up at IndianOil or Bharat Petroleum (BPCL) stations, as the 5% benefit is strictly limited to HPCL.
• You are looking for lifestyle perks like complimentary airport lounge access or movie ticket offers, as this card focuses entirely on "power and utilities" rather than "leisure."

BankKaro Expert Review

After analyzing the rewards structure of the IDFC First Power Plus Credit Card, my verdict is that it is one of the most practical entry-level cards in India. It does not try to be everything for everyone; instead, it masters the "essential spend" category.

The biggest strength is the 5% value back on fuel, groceries, and utilities. Most cards in this price bracket give you high rewards on one category while neglecting the others. IDFC has managed to bundle the three most common monthly expenses into one high-reward bucket. The inclusion of the RuPay network is the cherry on top, making it highly functional for the modern Indian user who relies on UPI.

However, the card has its limitations. The biggest drawback is the lack of any lifestyle benefits. There is no lounge access, no dining discounts, and no movie offers. Additionally, the 750 CRIF score requirement is quite high for an entry-level card, which might make it difficult for first-time credit users to qualify.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you want a dedicated "utility card" to sit alongside a premium card. It is perfect for fuel and bills, but you will need another card for your travel and entertainment needs.

Terms and Conditions

Before you apply, please keep these specific terms in mind:

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of ₹100 within 30 days is required to activate the card. If you do not meet this requirement, you will not be eligible for the Welcome Rewards.
• Reward points do not expire as long as the card is active, but the value of points is subject to change as per the bank's policy.
• Reward points are not earned on certain categories like insurance premium payments, EMI transactions, ATM cash withdrawals, and grocery spends beyond the specified monthly cap.

For complete terms and conditions, refer to the Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) document available on the IDFC FIRST Bank official website.