IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
A free card with lounge access, zero forex, and a 5% birthday bonus — surprisingly complete for ₹0.
By Ashutosh · Updated June 2026
IDFC FIRST Select punches well above its price point (free). Zero forex markup, 1 domestic lounge/quarter (devalued Apr 2026, intl removed), points that never expire, and a 10x birthday month bonus (5%) — all on a lifetime free card. No other free card offers this combination.
The base rate of 0.5% is low, but the card has several accelerators: 2.5% on spends above ₹20K/month, 1.5% on travel, 1% on UPI, and 5% during your birthday month. If you spend strategically, the effective rate is significantly higher than the base suggests.
Budget-conscious spenders who want lounge access and zero forex without paying an annual fee. Also great for anyone with one high-spending month (put big purchases in your birthday month for 5%).
You want consistently high rewards every month. The 0.5% base is low, and the accelerators require specific conditions. Axis ACE's 1.5% uncapped is more reliable.
3 pts/₹150 base (0.5%), 2x UPI (1%), 3x travel (1.5%), 10x birthday (5%), 5x above ₹20K (2.5%) · 1pt = ₹0.25 · Points never expire
Base rate (0.5%) is for normal spends. Jumps to 2.5% above ₹20K/mo and 5% in birthday month. UPI earns 1%. Effective rate depends on spending pattern.
PROS
- Free card with lounge access
- 5% on birthday month
- 2.5% on spends above ₹20K
CONS
- Low base rate (0.5%)
- Fuel excluded
- No zero forex
- Birthday month spending: 10x points (5%) during your birthday month. Time a big purchase (laptop, appliance) for your birthday month and earn 5% instead of 0.5%.
- International transactions: Zero forex markup on a free card — same benefit as IDFC WOW. Essential for international subscriptions and travel.
- Free lounge access: 4 visits/year (airport + railway) on a free card. The only free card with meaningful lounge access.
- High-value monthly spenders: Spends above ₹20K/month earn 2.5% — competitive with mid-tier premium cards.
0.5% base on normal purchases. Axis ACE gives 1.5% uncapped — 3x more on every transaction.
0.5% on Swiggy/Zomato. HDFC Millennia gives 5%, Axis ACE gives 4%.
Select for lounges, zero forex, and birthday month. ACE for all regular spending (1.5-5%). Free + ₹499 covers everything.
View Axis ACE →Select for lounges and international transactions, Millennia for domestic online partners (5%).
View HDFC Millennia →How does the birthday month 5% work?
During the month of your birthday, all spending earns 10x points (effectively 5%). This applies to all categories, not just specific ones. Great for timing large purchases.
Does the 2.5% above ₹20K apply to total or per-transaction?
It applies to total monthly spending above ₹20,000. Once your cumulative spend crosses ₹20K in a month, subsequent transactions earn 5x points (2.5%).
Is zero forex same as IDFC WOW?
Yes, identical zero forex markup. The difference is Select adds lounge access, birthday bonus, and UPI rewards. WOW is simpler with slightly higher base rate (0.66% vs 0.5%).