IDFC FIRST Cards: 0% Forex + Rewards

IDFC FIRST Bank has made its credit cards even more attractive for international spending.

After announcing 0% forex markup on its credit cards, the bank had initially planned to stop reward points on international transactions. However, the bank has now reversed that decision, meaning eligible IDFC FIRST cards can offer 0% forex markup while continuing to earn reward points on international spends.

TL;DR

• 0% forex markup on IDFC FIRST credit cards.
• Reward points on international transactions are being retained.
• The applicable reward rate depends on the card.
• This makes IDFC FIRST cards more attractive for international travel and overseas spending.
• Always pay in the local currency, not INR, to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC).

What Changed?

IDFC FIRST Bank recently announced 0% forex markup across its credit card portfolio.

However, there was initially a catch: from 26 October 2026, most cards were supposed to stop earning reward points on international transactions.

The bank has now reversed this change.

International transactions will continue to earn reward points according to the applicable rewards structure of the card.

This effectively gives cardholders:

0% Forex Markup + Reward Points

Why This Is Important

A typical credit card can charge around 3% to 3.5% forex markup on international transactions, with GST also applicable on the markup.

With a 0% forex card, this additional cost is eliminated.

If the card also earns rewards on those transactions, you get additional value on top of the forex savings.

For example, on ₹2 lakh worth of international spending:

	Regular 3.5% Forex Card	IDFC FIRST 0% Forex Card
Forex markup	₹7,000	₹0
GST on forex markup	Applicable	₹0 on markup
Reward points	Depends on card	Earned as per card
Overall value	Lower	Higher

The actual savings depend on the exchange rate, card terms and applicable charges.

Compare IDFC FIRST Credit Cards

With 0% forex markup and rewards now available on international spends, IDFC FIRST has several cards worth considering. But the right card depends on your spending pattern, rewards and other benefits.

You can compare IDFC FIRST credit cards on Great.Cards to see their rewards, fees, benefits and eligibility in one place.

Whether you are looking for a card for international spending, travel, everyday rewards or premium benefits, comparing the cards side by side can help you find the one that fits your spending better.

What About Other Zero-Forex Cards?

IDFC FIRST’s combination of zero forex markup and rewards makes its cards worth comparing with other popular zero-forex cards.

Feature	IDFC FIRST Cards	Other Zero-Forex Cards
Forex markup	0%	Usually 0%
International rewards	Yes, as per card	Depends on card
Travel benefits	Depends on card	Depends on card
Reward rate	Card-specific	Card-specific
Best suited for	Forex + rewards	Depends on card

Don’t Accept INR Abroad

Even with a 0% forex card, you should generally avoid paying in INR when a foreign merchant or ATM gives you the option.

Choose the local currency instead.

Paying in INR can trigger Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), where the merchant or ATM performs the currency conversion. The exchange rate can be significantly worse than the rate obtained through your card network.

Also remember that ATM withdrawals are different from regular purchases and may attract separate fees and interest.

What This Means for Cardholders

The latest change makes IDFC FIRST’s 0% forex proposition significantly stronger.

Previously, cardholders would have had to choose between:

0% forex markup
or
earning rewards

Now, eligible cards can potentially provide both.

For frequent international travellers, people paying for overseas services, and customers making regular foreign-currency purchases, this can make an IDFC FIRST card a compelling option.

Conclusion

IDFC FIRST Bank’s decision to offer 0% forex markup was already a significant move in the Indian credit card market.

Restoring reward points on international transactions makes the proposition even better.

For eligible cards, the combination is simple:

0% forex markup + reward points on international spends.

That could make IDFC FIRST cards a strong choice for international spending, especially for existing cardholders who don’t want to maintain a separate card solely for avoiding forex charges.

As always, check the latest card-specific terms before making a large international transaction, as reward rates, exclusions and other charges can vary between cards.

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