SBI Cashback vs IDFC FIRST Wow
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Wow wins 5-3. Secured card backed by FD — accessible to thin-credit-file applicants. SBI Cashback is still the right call if pure online cashback — 5% on any online merchant, no partner restrictions..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI Cashback | IDFC FIRST Wow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹999 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹999 | None |
| Top reward rate | 5% (shopping) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | = 1% | = 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend | = Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | — |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 600 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 4/5 |
Benefits compared
SBI Cashback
- 5% cashback on ALL online spends (not just listed merchants) — capped ₹5,000/month
- 1% cashback on offline spends
- Auto-credited within 2 days of statement
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
IDFC FIRST Wow
- 1 reward point per ₹100 (no rate change cliff)
- Lifetime free, no annual fee
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Backed by FD: easy approval
FAQ
›SBI Cashback vs IDFC FIRST Wow: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wow 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 SBI Cashback for online shopping, IDFC FIRST Wow for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI Cashback: Cashback offsets joining fee on first ₹999+ spend. IDFC FIRST Wow: Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction.