M16S / IDFC First Bank / IDFC Ashva Credit Card
premium · rewards, travel
IDFC Ashva Credit Card
The IDFC Ashva Credit Card costs Rs 2,999 a year. Its base return is 1.33%. The forex markup is 0%. Lounge visits in India: 4 per quarter. Abroad: 2 per quarter via DreamFolks. Read from the issuer's own documents on 11 Oct 2026.
- Annual fee
- Rs 2,999+ GST
- Fee waived at
- —
- Base return
- 1.33%
- Forex markup
- 0%
- Interest
- —
What changed on this card
- IDFC FIRST keeps reward points on international spends, Sep 2026
IDFC FIRST credit cards have zero forex markup from 9 September 2026 and still earn reward points on international spends. The bank dropped its planned 26 October cut in a later letter.
- IDFC FIRST Bank cuts Ashva international rewards to 2X, Oct 2026
From 26 Oct 2026 Ashva earns 2X reward points on eligible international transactions. The Ashva page lists 5X on international spends before this date. Source: IDFC FIRST Bank, idfcfirst.bank.in, read 28 Oct 2026
- IDFC FIRST Bank introduces zero forex markup, Sep 2026
From 9 Sep 2026 all IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards carry zero forex markup on international transactions. The notice cites savings of up to 3.5%. Source: IDFC FIRST Bank, idfcfirst.bank.in, read 28 Oct 2026
- IDFC FIRST Bank ties movie offer to Rs 20,000 prior-month spend, Jun 2026
From 18 Jun 2026 the buy one get one movie offer on Wealth, Select and Ashva needs Rs 20,000 or more spent in the previous calendar month. For August 2026 the qualifying month is July 2026. Source: IDFC FIRST Bank, idfcfirst.bank.in, read 28 Oct 2026
- IDFC FIRST Bank caps rewards at credit limit per cycle, Jun 2026
From 18 Jun 2026 reward points are earned on spends up to the credit limit per billing cycle. Spends above that earn no points. Source: IDFC FIRST Bank, idfcfirst.bank.in, read 28 Oct 2026
- IDFC FIRST Bank sets Ashva joining fee benefit of up to 7,500 points, Sep 2025
For Ashva cards generated on and after 1 Sep 2025 the joining fee payment benefit is up to 7,500 reward points, in three milestones of 2,500 points each. Source: IDFC FIRST Bank, idfcfirst.bank.in, read 28 Oct 2026
Each change is read from the bank's own notice or terms document, linked above. Every card's changes are on the change log.
Fees
| Joining fee | Rs 2,999 |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Rs 2,999 |
| Fee notes | Rs 2,999 + GST joining (upfront, non-refundable) and annual from year 2. No fee waiver. Metal add-on Rs 2,000 + GST joining, Rs 1,000 + GST annual. |
Rewards
| Welcome benefit | Up to 7,500 points: 2,500 on joining fee payment, 2,500 each on Rs 20,000+ spend in the 2nd and 3rd statement cycles |
|---|---|
| Reward currency | Reward Points |
| Base earn | 5X = 5 points per Rs 150 on spends up to Rs 20,000 per statement cycle |
| Base return | 1.33% |
| Point value | 1 point = Rs 0.40 on hotels and flights via the app; Rs 0.25 on other redemptions |
| Accelerated earn | 10X = 10 points per Rs 150 on incremental spend above Rs 20,000 per cycle. App bookings: 40 points per Rs 150 on hotels, 25 per Rs 150 on flights. |
| Caps | International spends 5X, dropping to 2X from 26 Oct 2026. Rent, education, government, wallet load 3X. Insurance, utility, railways, FASTag 1X. None of these count towards the 10X threshold. |
| Spends that earn nothing | Fuel, EMI conversions, cash withdrawals, fees and GST, loan on card, balance transfers, transactions below Rs 150 |
| Points expiry | Never expire while the card is active |
| Milestone benefits | 7,500 points on Rs 8 lakh anniversary-year spend, credited only when the next annual fee is paid |
| Reward notes | base_return_pct = 5 points per Rs 150 x Rs 0.40 = 1.33% on the first Rs 20,000 a cycle; 2.67% above that; lower at Rs 0.25. |
Travel and perks
| Domestic lounge | 4 per quarter |
|---|---|
| International lounge | 2 per quarter via DreamFolks |
| Lounge conditions | Needs Rs 20,000 spend in the calendar month to unlock the next month. Railway lounges: 4 per quarter. Guest access not mentioned. |
| Forex markup | 0% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on Rs 200-5,000 txns, cap Rs 300 per statement cycle |
| Other freebies | Movies: buy-1-get-1 via District, up to Rs 400 off the second ticket, twice a month, needs Rs 20,000 spend in the calendar month (from 18 Jun 2026). Golf: up to 2 rounds or lessons a month, unlocked at Rs 20,000 and Rs 40,000 spend in the previous statement cycle. Trip cancellation cover up to Rs 25,000 twice a year; air accident cover Rs 1 crore; travel insurance up to USD 1,200. |
Charges and eligibility
| Late payment feeunverified | 15% of total amount due, min Rs 100, max Rs 1,300 |
|---|---|
| Cash advance fee | Rs 199 + GST per withdrawal; interest-free up to 45 days; max Rs 10,000 per withdrawal |
| Eligibility | No income or age criteria stated; limit shared across the customer's unsecured IDFC FIRST cards |
| Fine-print notes | Zero forex markup on purchases; 1% + GST on cash withdrawn abroad. International earn rate falls to 2X from 26 Oct 2026. Purchase APR not stated on the card page. Bank-wide rules read on issuer pages: points earned only on spends up to the credit limit per billing cycle (from 18 Jun 2026); points for a cycle are forfeited if the minimum amount due is not paid by the due date; Rs 99 + GST fee per reward redemption; over-limit fee 2.5% of over-limit amount, min Rs 550. |
Questions
- What is the annual fee of the IDFC Ashva Credit Card?
- Rs 2,999 a year, before GST.
- Does the IDFC Ashva Credit Card give airport lounge access?
- Yes. In India: 4 per quarter. Outside India: 2 per quarter via DreamFolks. Conditions: Needs Rs 20,000 spend in the calendar month to unlock the next month. Railway lounges: 4 per quarter. Guest access not mentioned.
- What is the forex markup on the IDFC Ashva Credit Card?
- 0% of each foreign-currency transaction, before GST.
- Which spends earn no rewards on the IDFC Ashva Credit Card?
- Fuel, EMI conversions, cash withdrawals, fees and GST, loan on card, balance transfers, transactions below Rs 150