IDFC FIRST Wealth vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins 6-2. Lifetime-free premium — best zero-fee card in India. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Wealth | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 3% (general) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 2% |
| Forex markup | 1.5% | · 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points on first 90-day spend | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,200,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | = 770 | = 770 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
IDFC FIRST Wealth
- 3x reward points on online spends (10x on weekends + travel)
- 4 international + 4 domestic lounge visits per quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Low forex markup at 1.5%
- Lifetime free — no annual fee, no fee-waiver math
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Wealth vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins on more dimensions (6 vs 2). 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 Wealth for its best categories, HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Wealth: 5,000 reward points on first 90-day spend. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.