IDFC FIRST Select vs HSBC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 3-0. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. HSBC Premier is still the right call if hsbc premier banking clients, no annual fee with relationship..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | HSBC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | = No annual fee | = No annual fee |
| Joining fee | = None | = None |
| Top reward rate | = 3% (general) | = 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = No FX fee | = N/A |
| Welcome bonus | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation | = 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening |
| Fee waiver threshold | = N/A (no fee) | = N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹1,200,000 | · ₹4,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 800 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
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
HSBC Premier
- 3 reward points per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 1 reward point per ₹100 on others
- Free for HSBC Premier clients (₹40L+ relationship)
- Unlimited international lounge visits via LoungeKey
- Worldwide travel + emergency assistance
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs HSBC Premier: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (3 vs 0). 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 IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, HSBC Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Select: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation. HSBC Premier: 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening.