Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
SBI Cashback vs IDFC FIRST Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
SBI Cashback
Wins 4 of 10
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
Verdict
It's a true tie, neither dominates. Pick the one whose boost categories match where you actually spend.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | IDFC FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹999 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹999 | None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = No welcome bonus, value lives in the cashback rate | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | = 750 | = 750 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants), capped ₹4,000 per statement cycle (₹2,000 online + ₹2,000 offline sub-caps, effective 1 Apr 2026)
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
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
›SBI Cashback vs IDFC FIRST Select: which is better?
It's a true tie, pick the one whose boost categories match your spend. SBI Cashback wins on 4 criteria, IDFC FIRST Select on 4.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use SBI Cashback for online shopping, IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Cashback: No welcome bonus, value lives in the cashback rate. IDFC FIRST Select: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation.