Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
ICICI Coral vs IDFC FIRST Select
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
ICICI Bank
ICICI Coral
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select
VISA
Wins 6 of 10
Verdict
IDFC FIRST Select wins 6-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. ICICI Coral is still the right call if entry-tier card — easy approval, decent base earning, low fee..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Coral | IDFC FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹500 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹500 | None |
| Top reward rate | · 1% (general) | 10% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 3% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend | = 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹150,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹600,000 |
| Min credit score | 700 | · 750 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Coral
- 2 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- 15% off at 2,500+ partner restaurants (Culinary Treats)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Free movie tickets via BookMyShow (buy-1-get-1)
IDFC FIRST Select
- 10x reward points on ₹20K+ monthly spend
- 6x reward points on ₹20K below threshold
- 3x reward points on offline spend
- Lifetime free — no annual fee, ever
- 4 complimentary domestic + 2 international lounge visits per quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
FAQ
›ICICI Coral vs IDFC FIRST Select: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use ICICI Coral 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?
ICICI Coral: 2,000 PAYBACK points on first 60-day spend. IDFC FIRST Select: 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days.