IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI BPCL Octane
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Select wins 5-3. Lifetime-free with surprisingly strong reward earn rates. SBI BPCL Octane is still the right call if highest fuel cashback in india — 7.25% effective at bpcl pumps..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Select | SBI BPCL Octane |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | 10% (shopping) | · 7.25% (fuel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1.25% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 600 reward points on ₹15K spend in first 90 days | = 6,000 BPCL reward points (₹1,500 fuel value) |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹600,000 | ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
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
SBI BPCL Octane
- 25 reward points per ₹100 at BPCL (~7.25% value)
- 10x rewards on dining + grocery + departmental
- 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Select vs SBI BPCL Octane: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Select wins on more dimensions (5 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, SBI BPCL Octane 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. SBI BPCL Octane: 6,000 BPCL reward points (₹1,500 fuel value).