Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card, IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card — annual fees, reward rates, income eligibility, and estimated net annual value on the same spend profile.
At a glance (moderate spend)
Quick verdict: On moderate spend, HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card by about ₹3,780/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card HDFC Bank | IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card IDFC FIRST Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹15,000/mo | Not stated |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | FD-backed |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹5,430/yr | ₹800/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Fuel | — | 5% cashback → ₹200/mo (₹2,400/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 5% cashback | 1X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹250 rewards/mo cap | No monthly cap published |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: 5% cashback on select categories; 1% on other spends · cap ₹250/month fuel cashback cap | Earns: Reward points on eligible spends via UPI and card · cap Lifetime-free; standard earn caps per IDFC T&Cs |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | EMI · Rent · Wallet loads · Insurance | Not stated |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Which card has the lower annual fee?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card has a ₹0 annual fee (lifetime free or zero-fee tier).
- Which card earns more on moderate spend?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹5,430/yr net annual value on moderate spend.
- Which card has the lower income requirement?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card lists a minimum monthly income of ₹15,000.
- Which cards are secured (FD-backed)?
- IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card is secured — useful for thin credit files without a bureau pull at application.
- Does this comparison pull my credit score?
- No. CardHungry estimates net value from public fee and reward rules only — no bureau check.
Customize your spend
Change spend profile or swap cards — results update live below.
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
American Express
HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card
HDFC Bank
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
Your adjusted comparison
| Feature | American ExpressGold American Express SmartEarn Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts American Express SmartEarn Credit Card Top reward10X Membership Rewards Annual fee₹495 Min income₹25,000/mo Tap to flip back American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | HDFC BankClassic HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card Top reward5% cashback Annual feeLifetime Free Min income₹15,000/mo Tap to flip back HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card HDFC Bank | IDFC FIRST BankClassic IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card Top reward1X reward points Annual feeLifetime Free Tap to flip back IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card IDFC FIRST Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Lifetime free | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹15,000/mo | Not stated |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | FD-backed |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹5,430/yr | ₹800/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Fuel | — | 5% cashback → ₹200/mo (₹2,400/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 5% cashback | 1X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹250 rewards/mo cap | No monthly cap published |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: 5% cashback on select categories; 1% on other spends · cap ₹250/month fuel cashback cap | Earns: Reward points on eligible spends via UPI and card · cap Lifetime-free; standard earn caps per IDFC T&Cs |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | EMI · Rent · Wallet loads · Insurance | Not stated |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-hdfc-bharat-vs-idfc-first-wowMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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