Updated September 28, 2026 · DebitCue Editorial Team
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards vs Upgrade
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
Upgrade
Higher score in this comparison
Where IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards and Upgrade differ
| Compare | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit CardsReviewVisitVisit | UpgradeReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| 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 scores higher overall: 8.9 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 offers Visa Zero Liability protection, Travel and Emergency Assistance Services, Roadside Dispatch.
- Support channels: only Upgrade 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
Upgrade pairs a free debit card with cash back on everyday spending, so it suits people who want no monthly charge and a reward on routine bills. The currency conversion charge of 3% is the catch, and that makes it a weaker fit for regular travel spending.
Score breakdown
| Area | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.5HigherAnnual fee of INR 0, APR of 8.5% and currency conversion fee of 0% keep the running costs low. | 8.7Monthly fee $0 and annual fee $0 help, but conversion of 3% and free withdrawals of $0 weigh on it. |
| Offer | 8.9 | 9.2HigherRewards are cashback, with a checking base rate of 2% and uncapped category rates on fuel, groceries, streaming and utilities. |
| Trust | 8.1 | Not confirmed |
Spending 1,000 abroad
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
0
0% of 1,000
Upgrade
30
3% of 1,000
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards comes out 30 lower in this example.
Worked out from the stated prices and rates; your own total depends on how you use it. Facts checked September 26, 2026.
Availability and regulation
Additional countries for IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards: 1. Additional countries for Upgrade: 1.
What we checked
IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards
- idfcfirstbank.com: 15 facts, checked September 26, 2026
Upgrade
- upgrade.com: 11 facts, checked September 26, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Credit cards | 32 of 1020 | 28 of 1020 |
| Cashback cards | 11 of 203 | 10 of 203 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Cards | Upgrade | 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
Pros
- The debit account's monthly fee is $0 and the credit card's annual fee is $0, so both are free to run.
- Perks include Visa Zero Liability protection, roadside dispatch, travel and emergency assistance, and fraud monitoring with real time alerts.
- Support runs on email, phone and help centre.
Cons
- A currency conversion charge of 3% is the weak spot, ranking 218 of 259 brands on this measure.
- The free ATM allowance is $0, so cash machine withdrawals are not free.
- Cash back on the checking side runs at 2%, below the richer category rates the credit card pays.
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
Who it suits
- People who want a debit card with a monthly fee of $0 and cash back on routine household spending.
- Spenders who keep their balance in a single currency and travel little, given a conversion charge of 3%.
- Card users who want help by phone and email as well as a help centre, through email, phone and help centre.
Who should look elsewhere
- Wise, if currency conversion is your main cost, because Upgrade charges 3% on it.
- Starling Personal Account Debit Card, if you take out cash often, since Upgrade's free ATM allowance is $0.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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
Is there a fee for keeping the account open?+
No. The monthly fee is $0 and the card carries an annual fee of $0, so nothing is added to your regular outgoings just for holding the account. Spending in another currency is the main extra cost to plan around.
What does Upgrade charge for currency conversion?+
A charge of 3% applies when you spend in a currency other than the one your balance is held in. It is the biggest cost to budget for, and it ranks 218 of 259 brands on this measure, so frequent travellers get a poorer deal here.
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