IDFC FIRST Wealth vs Kotak White Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins 7-2. Lifetime-free premium — best zero-fee card in India. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Wealth | Kotak White Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 3% (general) | 4% (dining) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 1.5% |
| Forex markup | 1.5% | · 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points on first 90-day spend | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹600,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,200,000 | · ₹1,800,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.6/5 |
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
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Wealth vs Kotak White Reserve: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins on more dimensions (7 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, Kotak White Reserve 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. Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite.