IDFC FIRST Select vs ICICI Platinum Chip
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 4-2. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. ICICI Platinum Chip is still the right call if lifetime free entry-tier icici card..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | ICICI Platinum Chip |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | 3% (general) | · 0.5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 0.5% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation | = No welcome bonus, fee-free for life |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹1,200,000 | ₹200,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.6/5 |
Benefits compared
IDFC FIRST Select
- 10X reward points on dining and travel
- 3X reward points on other eligible spends
- Lifetime free, no annual fee, ever
- 1 domestic airport lounge visit per quarter, unlocked by ₹20,000 spend in the previous calendar month (no international lounge access)
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
ICICI Platinum Chip
- 2 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 15% off at 800+ restaurants
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Lifetime free, no annual fee ever
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs ICICI Platinum Chip: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (4 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, ICICI Platinum Chip for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Select: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation. ICICI Platinum Chip: No welcome bonus, fee-free for life.