New Delhi, 7:45 PM, 6 January 2026: IDFC FIRST Bank has launched the Diamond Reserve Credit Card, adding another premium product to India’s growing high-end credit card market. While the card’s name does not directly highlight it as a travel card, a closer look at its features shows that a large part of its value is built around travel, lifestyle privileges, and premium protection benefits. experts say, it is a mid-level premium card with a bunch of features and perks.
As per the PTI recent release, the Diamond Reserve Credit Card is aimed at customers who spend consistently, travel decently, and are looking for premium benefits without paying the very high annual fees charged by ultra-luxury cards.
What are the Key Benefits of the Diamond Reserve Credit Card
Travel-Focused Features
The most important feature highlighted by IDFC is 0% forex markup. The card does not charge any foreign exchange markup on international transactions. It does not matter where the spending happens, such as abroad, a different country market, or on international websites from India. This helps users avoid the usual 2%–3% forex charges.
Travel rewards are a major highlight. Cardholders can earn:
- Up to 60 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on hotel bookings via the IDFC FIRST Bank app. With each point valued at ₹0.25, this equals ₹15 back on ₹150, or an effective 10% value back.
- Up to 40 Reward Points per ₹150 spent on flight bookings via the app, translating to 6.6% value back.
- Up to 10 Reward Points per ₹150 on regular monthly spends, equal to 1.66% value back.
Reward points come with lifetime validity and no earning cap.
On access benefits, the card offers:
- 2 domestic airport lounge or spa visits per quarter
- 2 international airport lounge visits per quarter
- Up to 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter
Lounge access is spend-linked. You can activate complimentary lounge visits in the next calendar month by spending ₹20,000 or more in the current month. You can check the full list here – Official lounge list (bank PDF):
https://www.idfcfirst.bank.in/content/dam/idfcfirstbank/pdf/Diamond-Reserve-Credit-Card-Lounge-List.pdf
Additional travel-linked perks include up to two complimentary golf rounds or lessons per month (based on spend thresholds) and one complimentary airport Meet & Greet service on annual international spends of USD 1,000.
Welcome, Lifestyle, and Everyday Benefits
As a joining benefit, cardholders who spend ₹5,000 within 30 days of card activation receive a ₹500 gift voucher, usable on platforms such as Amazon or Uber and their selected brands.
Lifestyle benefits include a Buy-One-Get-One movie ticket offer every month and premium hotel deals like “Book 2 nights and get the 3rd night free” at ITC Hotels.
For EMI users, the card offers 5% cashback on the first EMI, capped at ₹1,000.
Insurance, Safety, and Special IDFC FIRST Features
The Diamond Reserve Credit Card includes:
- Free trip cancellation (CFAR) cover up to ₹25,000
- Insurance for lost baggage, delayed flights, and delayed baggage
- Air accident cover up to ₹1 crore
- Personal accident cover up to ₹10 lakh
- Roadside assistance worth ₹1,399
- Fuel surcharge waiver of 1%, up to ₹300 per month
Other IDFC FIRST features continue to apply, such as dynamic interest rates starting from 8.5% p.a., 0% interest on global ATM cash withdrawals till the due date (₹199 per withdrawal), and the ability to redeem reward points across any online or e-commerce purchase.
Fees, Eligibility, and Positioning
- Joining fee: ₹3,000 + GST
- Annual fee: ₹3,000 + GST (from second year onwards)
- Annual fee waiver: Available on ₹6 lakh annual spends, making the card effectively free from the second year
Eligibility is similar to other premium IDFC cards like Wealth, with an indicative annual income expectation of ₹36 lakh or more, subject to internal assessment.
Over the last six months, the Diamond Reserve Card has entered the market alongside other premium launches such as IDFC FIRST Gaj, RBL LUMIÈRE & NOVA premium cards, and offerings from PNB and Central Bank, placing it firmly in the luxury-lite segment.
Drawbacks to Keep in Mind
- International spend does not earn reward points, despite zero forex markup; however, most similar cards also offer rewards.
- Lounge and golf benefits are not automatic and depend on monthly spending such as For example, meeting the spend requirement between 1st and 31st January 2026 activates lounge access for February 2026. You have to spend 20,000 INR in the current calendar month.
- The welcome benefit is modest compared to the joining fee
- Not ideal for low spenders or infrequent travellers
- If you don’t travel often or spend high amounts, many perks may remain unused. (industry consensus)
If we do a quick comparison with recent and popular travel cards
| Card | Forex Markup | Annual Fee | Lounge Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve | 0% | ₹3,000 + GST | Conditional |
| HDFC Infinia | Low / Nil* | ₹12,500 + GST | Mostly unlimited |
| Scapia Federal Bank Card | 0% | Low / Nil | Limited |
The Diamond Reserve Credit Card may not openly market itself as a travel card, but its feature set strongly points in that direction. With zero forex markup, strong travel rewards, lounge access across airports and railways, and wide insurance coverage, it offers a balanced premium proposition for frequent travellers and high spenders who want value without ultra-premium pricing.
