IDFC FIRST keeps reward points on international spends, Sep 2026

IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards keep earning reward points on international transactions. The bank removed forex markup on all its credit cards from 9 September 2026, which it says saves up to 3.5%. Its first letter ended points on most cards from 26 October 2026. A second letter, in a file dated 13 September 2026, dropped that cut. It says points will continue to be earned as applicable for the respective cards.

Correction, 2 November 2026: this post first ran on 30 October saying points on international spends had ended on 26 October. That was wrong. We relied on the bank's 9 September letter, which is still live, and did not find the later letter that reverses it. We have corrected the post and its entry in the Devaluation Index.

The bank's Most Important Terms and Conditions, last modified on 12 October 2026, lists the markup on foreign currency and currency conversion transactions as NIL. The MITC says nothing about reward points on international spends.

One card does change. A separate letter to Ashva holders says the card earns 2X on eligible international transactions from 26 October 2026. Our catalogue had it at 5X before that date. The Ashva letter is dated 9 September, before the reversal, and the 13 September letter does not mention Ashva by name.

Cards on our site that list higher points on international spends include FIRST Millennia, FIRST Classic, FIRST Select, FIRST Wealth and Diamond Reserve. The second letter does not give earn rates by card.

See all IDFC FIRST Bank cards and other low forex markup credit cards.