IDFC FIRST reverses reward points cut — 26 Oct 2026 no longer applies

Cards this affects

IDFC FIRST Select

IDFC FIRST Bank

₹2,900 a year at ₹75,000 a month

Keep

IDFC FIRST BankMillennia

IDFC FIRST Millennia

IDFC FIRST Bank

₹2,900 a year at ₹75,000 a month

Keep

IDFC FIRST Ashva

IDFC FIRST Bank

₹17,500 a year at ₹75,000 a month

Keep

IndiGo IDFC FIRST Dual Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Bank

₹16,700 a year at ₹75,000 a month

Keep

IDFC FIRST Bank announced on 13 September 2026 that it is reversing its previous decision to stop awarding reward points on international transactions. The bank had earlier announced that no reward points would be earned on international spends from 26 October 2026, but has now decided to continue awarding points at each card’s rate. The zero forex markup that was introduced earlier will also stay in place. This change took effect on 13 September 2026, just a few days after the initial notice was sent out on 9 September 2026. The initial notice had stated that reward points would not be applicable on international purchases once the forex markup was waived, but the bank has now reversed this decision. The new notice states that cardholders will continue to earn reward points on international transactions, in addition to enjoying zero forex markup.

Our take: IDFC FIRST Bank cardholders can continue to use their cards for international transactions without worrying about losing out on reward points. Select, Classic, Millennia, Wealth and the HPCL and LIC cards keep earning abroad at each card’s own rate, on top of zero markup. Ashva and IndiGo holders are the ones who should look again at which card they take abroad.

Comparisons this changes

IF

IDFC FIRST Millennia vs IDFC FIRST Select

IDFC's two lifetime-free cards on one reward engine: 10X on dining, travel, international and birthday spends, 1.25% at ₹0.25 a point, 25 points per ₹100 on hotels and 15 on flights booked in IDFC's app, and about 0.38% on everything else. The page's value model scores the two level at every spend level it tests, so the lounge decides it. Millennia opens four railway lounge visits a quarter and no airport lounge; Select one domestic airport visit and four railway visits a quarter, and both only after ₹20,000 of spend in the previous month.

IF

IDFC FIRST Gaj vs IDFC FIRST Ashva

Same points, and neither card transfers anywhere — the redemption catalogue is the ceiling for both, so this one is decided on earn and fee, nothing else: 3.3% at ₹12,500/yr against 1.3% at ₹2,999/yr.

IDFC FIRST Ashva vs IDFC FIRST Mayura

IDFC's metal siblings: same 5X/10X engine and, since September, the same 0% forex — but Mayura's ₹0.50 points out-net Ashva from ₹75k a month — Ashva is the ₹2,999 consolation prize, not the smarter buy.

IDFC FIRST Bank transfer partners