HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs IDFC FIRST Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 5-2. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists, every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | IDFC FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | None |
| Top reward rate | 8% (travel) | · 3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 3% |
| Forex markup | = N/A | = No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹800,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹1,500,000 | ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | · 770 | 750 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
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
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs IDFC FIRST Select: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (5 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 HDFC Marriott Bonvoy 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?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. IDFC FIRST Select: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation.