IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI Pulse
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 6-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. SBI Pulse is still the right call if health/fitness focused, smartwatch + wellness benefits..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | SBI Pulse |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 3% (general) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation | = Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,200,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.9/5 |
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
SBI Pulse
- Free Noise ColorFit Pulse 2 smartwatch
- 4 reward points per ₹100 on chemists, dining, movies
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1-year FITPASS PRO membership
- Cult.fit + 1mg discount partnerships
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI Pulse: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (6 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 IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, SBI Pulse 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. SBI Pulse: Noise smartwatch on activation + 5,000 reward points.