IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card Review: Benefits, Fees & Forex Charges

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The IDFC FIRST WOW credit card is a secured credit card which is available to Indian residents and NRIs who hold a fixed deposit amount with IDFC First. In this guide we’ll examine the IDFC FIRST WOW credit card, but it’s also helpful to know that there's a different card called the IDFC FIRST WOW Black Credit Card⁸ which may suit some customers better.

This IDFC FIRST WOW credit card review tells you all you need to know. We'll also introduce you to the Wise Travel card, which allows you to hold 40+ currencies in on card and spend without any forex markups or hidden fees.

What is the IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card?

The IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card is a lifetime free credit card which has no forex markup on foreign spending. It is secured using a Fixed Deposit (FD) account and the credit limit you get on your card is the same as the deposit amount you place with the bank.

Is the IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card safe?

Yes. The IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card has some built in safety features, including chip technology, and offers a secure application and verification process. It is considered safe to use with normal precautions.

IDFC is regulated and licensed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and so the deposit you hold is kept secure under strict RBI guidelines.

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card: Features and benefits

The main IDFC FIRST WOW credit card features include¹:

• Apply remotely, with no credit check or employment history needed
• Available to resident and non-resident Indians, with a minimum FD requirement of ₹20,000 for residents and ₹25,000 NRE FD for NRIs
• Deposit savings with IDFC to secure your card
• Get an IDFC FIRST WOW credit card limit equivalent to your FD amount
• Earn the IDFC FIRST WOW credit card FD interest rate of up to 6.5% on your deposit²
• Spend locally and overseas, with zero forex markup on foreign spending
• No interest charges on ATM withdrawals for 45 days
• No joining or annual fees

When you use your IDFC credit card you can also earn rewards, unlock partner discounts and get Visa protections on your purchases. Some of the most important IDFC FIRST WOW credit card benefits to know about include:

• 4 reward points for every 200 INR spend online, offline, and overseas
• 1 reward point for every 200 INR spend on insurance premium payments, utility bill payments, FASTag recharges and railway tickets
• Redeem rewards at partner stores and online merchants, with 1 reward point worth 0.25 INR
• Get up to 25,000 INR card liability cover and 25,000 INR purchase protection
• 200,000 INR personal accident insurance offered as part of the package
• Up to 20% discount at restaurants and 15% for health outlets

Does the IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card offer lounge access?

Unfortunately, there is no IDFC FIRST WOW credit card lounge access.

IDFC offers lounge access to holders of a small number of credit cards only, including FIRST Select, FIRST Wealth, Mayura and Ashva cards³.

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card exchange rate

There’s no IDFC FIRST WOW credit card forex markup. When you spend in a foreign currency your purchase is converted back to INR for billing using the Visa exchange rate, with no additional fee added.

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card: Charges

The IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card is a low-cost card, but that doesn’t mean it’s free to use. There are a few important costs to consider, which may vary depending on how you spend. Here’s a rundown, and there’s more in the card’s Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) document, available online.

*Details correct at time of research - 22nd18th May 2026

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card limit

The credit card limit you’re offered is 100% of your fixed deposit amount. You’ll need to deposit at least the minimum required deposit to get your card in the first place - 20,000 INR for resident Indians or 25,000 INR for NRIs, and can then spend up to this amount using your card.

If you want to increase your credit limit you can do so by adding a new FD account, or linking an existing account, with a balance from 5,000 INR or more. This process can be done online by logging into your IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App.
The credit limit increase is instant, subject to applicable terms and conditions. However, FIRST WOW NRI customers are not eligible for credit limit increases.

IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card eligibility

IDFC FIRST WOW credit card eligibility is based on your ability to deposit funds with IDFC as a fixed deposit. There’s no credit check and no need to show your employment or earnings history when you apply.

As long as you meet the eligibility criteria for the card, you can deposit funds to an IDFC fixed term deposit account to the required amount, and then your credit limit is set at 100% of your deposit.

Eligibility for Indian residents

Indian residents who would like to apply for an IDFC FIRST WOW card must meet the following requirements:

• 18 to 80 years​ old
• Indian citizen with a permanent address in India
• Fixed Deposit (FD) of 20,000 INR or more with IDFC FIRST Bank

Eligibility for NRIs

NRIs have slightly different eligibility criteria, and need a higher fixed deposit to qualify:

• 18 to 80 years​ old
• NRE Savings Account with IDFC FIRST Bank
• Fixed Deposit (FD) of 25,000 INR or more with IDFC FIRST Bank

How to apply for the IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card

To apply for an IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card you’ll need to go to the IDFC website and tap the ‘Apply Now’ button on the top right of the card’s webpage. You’ll then follow these steps:

1. Follow the prompts to enter your personal and contact details
2. Add the required deposit (minimum 20,000 INR) to your Fixed deposit account
3. Complete the verification step using the IDFC video KYC process⁵

The IDFC video KYC allows you to remotely open your FD account and apply for your credit card. You’ll need to take a short video call with an IDFC agent, and show your PAN number and any other required documents live on the call. You’ll also be asked to give a signature sample, which you can do while talking to the agent.

How to use the IDFC FIRST WOW credit card

You can use your IDFC FIRST WOW credit card to spend and make cash withdrawals at home and abroad, up to the maximum credit limit you’re offered. Your credit limit will be the same as your FD deposit amount.

Use your card to tap and pay in stores, or to shop online, and repay the amount owed in full and on time to avoid interest and penalty charges.

Summary: Is the IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card good for travelling?

The IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card has no forex markup which can make it an attractive option for travellers. Your overseas spending is converted back to INR using the live Visa exchange rate with no additional fees added. It’s important to note that other fees may still creep in - including finance charges if you don’t repay your bills in full, and late payment penalties if you’re late making a repayment.

If you’d prefer to be in full control of your travel budget, with no chance of surprise interest or penalties, a Wise travel card could be a useful solution. You can convert your INR to the currency you need ahead of time,and spend with no additional fees when you’re overseas.

Let’s take a quick final look at some important advantages of the card, as well as some IDFC FIRST WOW credit card disadvantages to consider before you sign up.

Meet the Wise Travel card: 40+ currencies in one card, with no forex markups or hidden fees

With no hidden markups, the Wise Travel card is a smart way to spend abroad. You'll always get the real interbank exchange rate for conversions across 40+ currencies. Wise's transparent, low pricing, plus no foreign transaction fees or forex markups, usually means you are getting the best value for your money.

The fully digital account opening and vKYC process allows you to sign up from the comfort of your home, and there are no annual or monthly fees either. Simply order your card, show proof of your travels, load your funds, and you're all set. Plus - card orders are currently free to Indian addresses (limited time launch offer, while stocks last)! A physical Wise card enables you to make secure chip and PIN payments and get some free ATM withdrawals while you're overseas. You can also instantly freeze or unfreeze your card in the app anytime for peace of mind.

Wherever your travels take you, the Wise Travel card is the only forex card you'll need to make spending internationally simpler and cheaper.

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