Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
IDFC FIRST Select vs HDFC MoneyBack+
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select
VISA
Wins 6 of 10
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC MoneyBack+
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
IDFC FIRST Select wins 6-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. HDFC MoneyBack+ is still the right call if entry-level cashback with very low waiver bar..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | HDFC MoneyBack+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹500 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹500 |
| Top reward rate | 10% (shopping) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 2% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹50,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹600,000 | ₹240,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 720 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.1/5 |
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
HDFC MoneyBack+
- 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Reliance Smart Bazaar (capped ₹1K/month)
- 2% on EMI transactions
- 1 fuel surcharge waiver
- Quarterly milestone vouchers
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs HDFC MoneyBack+: 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 IDFC FIRST Select for its best categories, HDFC MoneyBack+ 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. HDFC MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction.