Updated October 17, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards vs Upgrade OneCard™
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Upgrade OneCard™
Higher score in this comparison
What sets them apart
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹0 | $0 |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%Lower | 3% |
| Rewards rate | 1% online up to INR 10,000 per statement cycle, 2% on incremental online spends above INR 10,000, 1% on UPI via the IDFC FIRST Bank app, 1% in-store, 0.5% on select categories, plus 1% bonus on hotel and flight bookings in the app; total capped at INR 500 per statement cycle | 3% cash back on gas, groceries, streaming and monthly subscriptions, and utilities; 1% on everything else, uncapped |
| Perks | Personal accident cover of INR 200,000, Lost card liability cover of INR 25,000, UPI enabled RuPay credit card auto linked to the IDFC FIRST Bank app, No income proof or credit history required, Fixed deposit keeps earning interest while funding the card, Zero forex markup on international spends, Cash withdrawal interest free for up to 45 days at a nominal fee of INR 199 plus GST | Visa Zero Liability protection, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch, Upgrade Shopping offers, Rewards do not expire, 24/7 fraud monitoring and real time alerts, Flexible payment options Pay Now, Pay in 4, Pay Over Time (coming soon) |
| APR | 8.5% | Not confirmed |
| Credit needed | Poor | Not confirmed |
| Cashback rate | 0.5% to 2% | Not confirmed |
Same on both: Rewards type (Cashback), Card kind (Credit).
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Key differences
- Upgrade OneCard™ scores higher overall: 9.1 vs 8.8.
- Currency conversion fee is lower at IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards: 0% vs 3%.
- Perks: only IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards offers Personal accident cover of INR 200,000, Lost card liability cover of INR 25,000, UPI enabled RuPay credit card auto linked to the IDFC FIRST Bank app.
- Perks: only Upgrade OneCard™ offers Visa Zero Liability protection, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch.
- Support channels: only Upgrade OneCard™ offers Email.
- Features: only IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards offers Secured.
Our verdict on each
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards suit adults with poor credit who want a cashback card they can use abroad without extra cost. The annual fee is INR 0 and the currency conversion fee is 0%, so most spending stays fee free.
Upgrade OneCard™
The stated criteria include being at least 18, living in a state where OneCard is offered, and meeting credit approval requirements, including sufficient income for repayments.
Score breakdown
| Area | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherAnnual fee of INR 0, APR of 8.5% and currency conversion fee of 0% keep the running costs low. | 8.8Annual fee of $0 on the credit card, a currency conversion charge of 3% on the debit card and free ATM withdrawals of $0. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.5Higher |
| Trust | 8.1 | Not confirmed |
Pick IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards if, pick Upgrade OneCard™ if
Pick IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards if cost and currency conversion fee matter most.
Pick Upgrade OneCard™ if offer matter most.
How they place
| Ranking | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 32 of 1020 | 26 of 1020 |
| Cashback cards | 11 of 203 | 8 of 203 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | No annual fee | No annual fee |
| Features | Rewards, SecuredCovers more | Rewards |
| Legal entity | IDFC FIRST Bank Ltd | Upgrade, Inc. |
| Headquarters | India | United States |
| Founded | 2018 | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Phone, Help centre | Email, Phone, Help centreCovers more |
Debit cards
| Fact | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Free ATM withdrawals | Not confirmed | $0 |
| Card type | Not confirmed | Debit |
| Cashback rate | Not confirmed | 2% |
| Card network | Not confirmed | Visa |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| APR | 8.5%lowest quarter | Not confirmed | 19.39% |
| Currency conversion fee | 0%below the median | 3%highest quarter | 1% |
| Cashback rate | 0.5% to 2%above the median | Not confirmed | 1.5 |
Median across 312 listed cards.
Pros and cons
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Pros
- Annual fee of INR 0 makes it a no annual fee card, matching no annual fee.
- Currency conversion fee of 0% means international spends carry no extra markup, ahead of the site median of 1%.
- APR of 8.5% sits well under the credit card median of 20.85%.
Cons
- Cashback is capped each statement cycle, so heavy spenders earn less than the headline rate.
- The deposit backing the card keeps earning interest, but the money stays tied up while it funds the limit.
- Support runs on phone and help centre only, so there is no chat or email route listed.
Upgrade OneCard™
Pros
- The stated criteria include being at least 18, living in a state where OneCard is offered, and meeting credit approval requirements, including sufficient income for repayments.
- These are eligibility conditions, not an approval guarantee.
Cons
- Its extras are basic, so travel focused spenders may want more
- A flat approach means heavy spenders in specific categories may find less variety than expected
Who each suits
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Who it suits
- Adults in India with poor credit who need a card without income proof or a credit history.
- Anyone who spends online, on UPI through the app and abroad and wants cashback on it.
- People with a RuPay credit card they want auto linked to the bank app.
Who should look elsewhere
- Frequent cash withdrawers, because cash advances come with a fee and a short interest free window.
- Chasers of points or miles, since the rewards are plain cashback.
- Shoppers who want lounge access or travel insurance benefits in a single fee free card.
Upgrade OneCard™
Who it suits
- US applicants checking Upgrade OneCard requirements
Who should look elsewhere
- People who want a card with a broad set of travel extras
- Anyone who enjoys managing several spending categories
Current offers
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Current offer
Bonus
Cashback on 1st transaction with the Hello Cashback Credit Card: INR 250
Applies to the first transaction on the Hello Cashback Credit Card; up to 1% cashback on UPI spends
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Country by country
| Country | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade OneCard™ |
|---|---|---|
| India | Yes | No |
| United States | No | Yes |
Questions about each
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Does this credit card charge an annual fee?+
No. The annual fee is INR 0 and the card is listed as a no annual fee model, so holding it costs nothing across a year. Many cards in the lists are not so lucky, with an annual fee median of €0 and a top quartile of €4.89. A small cashback rate of 0.5% to 2% is the main reward on offer.
What interest rate will I pay if I carry a balance?+
The APR is 8.5%, which is below the credit card median of 20.85% and the site median of 20.97%. It is a low rate for a card aimed at people with poor credit, but it is not a balance free card, so carrying money month to month still costs you. Paying in full avoids the interest entirely.
Upgrade OneCard™
What kinds of products does the card combine?+
The card combines a credit card, a debit card and a personal loan in one product. Holders can handle everyday purchases and borrowing through the same arrangement. That approach appeals to people who want fewer separate products to manage. The structure is the main feature that distinguishes this card from a plain single purpose option.
Who is the card most relevant for?+
The card is most relevant for people who want a simple, flat approach to everyday purchases. It works well for those who prefer not to track several spending categories. Frequent travellers who want a wide set of travel extras may find the offer less relevant. Choosing it depends on whether ease of use matters more than specialised extras.
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