IDFC FIRST Select vs AU Bank Zenith
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 7-1. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. AU Bank Zenith is still the right call if underrated mid-premium — punches above its fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | AU Bank Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹7,500 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹7,500 |
| Top reward rate | = 10% (shopping) | = 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 2% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days | = 7,500 reward points + Vistara Premium Economy ticket |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹600,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
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
AU Bank Zenith
- 10 ZenPoints per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 2 ZenPoints per ₹100 on general spend
- 8 complimentary international lounge visits per quarter
- 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits / year
- Annual milestone: free domestic flight at ₹6L spend
- 4 free golf rounds/quarter at 250+ courses
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs AU Bank Zenith: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (7 vs 1). 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 IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, AU Bank Zenith for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Select: 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days. AU Bank Zenith: 7,500 reward points + Vistara Premium Economy ticket.