Key Highlights
- Wealth card: reward points expiry introduced. Points earned from July 2026 statement cycle expire after 24 months. Previously lifetime valid - the Wealth card's most-loved feature is now time-limited.
- Movie benefit now spend-gated. From 18 June 2026, the free movie ticket (25% off, up to ₹100) requires at least one transaction in the previous calendar month. Previously unconditional.
- BOGO movie benefit spend-gated across all cards. ₹20,000 spend in previous month required from 18 June 2026 to unlock buy-one-get-one movie benefit - where applicable.
- Lounge access halved: Wealth and Select. Effective April 2026: Wealth drops from 2 domestic + 2 international to 1 domestic + 1 international per quarter. Select drops from 2 domestic to 1 domestic per quarter. Spend condition: ₹20,000 previous month.
- Reward points only earned up to credit limit. From 18 June 2026, spends beyond the credit limit in a billing cycle earn no reward points.
- Ashva and Mayura (premium cards): International rewards cut from 10X to 5X effective January 2026. Minimum ₹20,000 monthly spend required to earn the higher rate. Miss minimum payment = no rewards for that cycle.
IDFC FIRST Bank has announced its latest round of credit card changes, with the June 2026 revisions representing the most significant devaluation of the Wealth card since the product launched. The Wealth card had maintained lifetime validity on reward points as one of its flagship features - distinguishing it from most Indian credit cards that impose expiry windows. That distinction ends for points earned from the July 2026 statement cycle.
This is not a single isolated change. IDFC FIRST has made multiple revisions to its credit card programme since May 2024 - each time tightening earn conditions, adding usage fees, or reducing complimentary benefits. The June 2026 changes are the latest in a pattern that has progressively reduced the value of the bank's lifetime free card portfolio.
Who is most affected: Wealth cardholders who have accumulated large reward point balances and plan to redeem them over time. Under the new rules, points earned from July 2026 onwards expire in 24 months. Existing points (earned before July 2026) have their validity set to 31 July 2026 - meaning points earned before August 2025 are at risk of expiring very soon if not redeemed.
Changes Effective 18 June 2026: Card-by-Card
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
The Wealth card's single biggest change: reward points earned from the July 2026 statement cycle onwards will expire after 24 months from the end of the month in which they are credited. IDFC FIRST's official communication states: 'Reward Points earned from July 2026 statement cycle will be valid for 24 months.'
Urgent action for existing Wealth cardholders: IDFC FIRST's communication indicates that non-promotional NeuCoins (pre-existing points) will have their validity set to 31 July 2026. If you have accumulated Wealth card reward points and have not redeemed them, check your balance immediately and redeem before this date. Points that expire have zero value.
The movie benefit also changes: 25% off up to ₹100 on movie tickets is now conditional on making at least one transaction on the card in the previous calendar month. This is a minor condition for active cardholders but catches those who hold the card passively.
Accelerated travel rewards on the Wealth card have also been revised: hotel booking bonuses drop from 33% to 20% on hotel bookings via the IDFC FIRST app, and flight booking bonuses drop from 13% to 10%. These changes affect the earn rate for cardholders who route travel bookings through the bank's app for enhanced rewards.
| Benefit | Previous | New (Effective June 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Reward points expiry | Lifetime valid | 24 months from end of earning month (from July 2026 cycle) |
| Existing points validity | Lifetime | Set to 31 July 2026 for pre-existing balance |
| Movie ticket benefit | 25% off (unconditional) | 25% off - requires 1 transaction in previous month |
| BOGO movie benefit | No spend condition | ₹20,000 spend in previous month required |
| Lounge access (domestic) | 2 per quarter | 1 per quarter - ₹20,000 previous month spend required |
| Lounge access (international) | 2 per quarter | 1 per quarter - ₹20,000 previous month spend required |
| Hotel booking bonus (IDFC app) | 33% bonus | 20% bonus |
| Flight booking bonus (IDFC app) | 13% bonus | 10% bonus |
| Reward earning cap | Up to limit + beyond | Only on spends up to credit limit |
Source: IDFC FIRST Bank official communication, idfcfirst.bank.in, CardInsider. Last verified: 13 May 2026.
IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
Select sees the same lounge reduction as Wealth - from 2 domestic visits per quarter to 1, subject to ₹20,000 monthly spend in the preceding month. The same BOGO movie spend gate (₹20,000 previous month) applies. Select cards will also continue to remain lifetime free. The 24-month point expiry applies here as well from the July 2026 cycle.
Changes Already in Effect Since January 2026
The June 2026 changes are in addition to the January 2026 revisions that have already taken effect. These are listed here for completeness - Wealth, Select, Classic, and other IDFC FIRST lifetime free cards have already seen:
- Base reward earning rate changed from per ₹150 to per ₹200 - a 25% reduction in effective return on all spends.
- FASTag recharges above ₹10,000 in a billing cycle now attract a 1% charge on the total FASTag amount.
- Railway spends above ₹25,000 in a billing cycle attract a 1% charge on total railway spend.
- FASTag and railway transactions earn only 1X base reward points (not accelerated rates).
- Reward points earned only if minimum payment is made by due date for Ashva and Mayura cards.
Ashva and Mayura: Premium card changes effective January 2026
International spend rewards reduced from 10X to 5X on all eligible transactions. To earn the higher 10X rate on international spends, cardholders must now spend at least ₹20,000 in the billing cycle. Miss minimum payment by due date = no reward points for that cycle.
The Broader Pattern: IDFC FIRST's Devaluation Trajectory
IDFC FIRST's credit card programme has undergone at least four material devaluation rounds since May 2024 - covering earn rate reductions, new fair usage charges, lounge access cuts, and now reward point expiry. The bank's lifetime free positioning, which differentiated it from most Indian credit card issuers, is being progressively qualified by conditions and restrictions.
Community reaction on platforms like DesiDime and CardMaven has been strongly negative. A common sentiment: 'The IDFC card practically became useless' and 'Every time a card gets devalued it gets dispatched to me.' The Wealth card in particular has seen a significant erosion of its value proposition - from one of India's most generous lifetime free premium cards to a card with expiring points, gated lounge access, and reduced earn rates.
What has not changed: All IDFC FIRST credit cards remain lifetime free - no joining or annual fee. The bank has confirmed this explicitly in its June 2026 communication for the Select card. The zero-fee status is the card's remaining primary advantage over competing paid products.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All card features, benefits, and conditions are subject to change. Data sourced from IDFC FIRST Bank official communications, idfcfirst.bank.in, CardInsider, and Upstox as of 13 May 2026. Verify current terms at idfcfirst.bank.in before making any financial decision.
