Axis Vistara Signature vs IDFC FIRST Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 5-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. Axis Vistara Signature is still the right call if domestic flyers (vistara was acquired by air india, points convert)..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis Vistara Signature | IDFC FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (travel) | · 3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Vistara Premium Economy ticket on joining | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹750,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹600,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | = 750 | = 750 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis Vistara Signature
- 5 CV points per ₹200 on travel
- Premium Economy class ticket on joining
- Premium Economy class ticket on ₹4.5L spend
- 8 domestic lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver tier on joining
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
FAQ
›Axis Vistara Signature vs IDFC FIRST Select: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (5 vs 3). 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 Axis Vistara Signature for its best categories, IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis Vistara Signature: Vistara Premium Economy ticket on joining. IDFC FIRST Select: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation.