Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs HSBC Cashback Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, HSBC 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, HSBC Cashback Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card by about ₹6,291/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | HSBC Cashback Credit Card HSBC | IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card IDFC FIRST Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | ₹999 | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | No waiver published | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹40,000/mo | Not stated |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | FD-backed |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹7,941/yr | ₹800/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Dining & delivery | — | 10% cashback → ₹400/mo (₹4,800/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 10% | 1X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹1,000 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | 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 · Fuel · Rent · Wallet | Not stated |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Which card has the lower annual fee?
- IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card has a ₹0 annual fee (lifetime free or zero-fee tier).
- Which card earns more on moderate spend?
- HSBC Cashback Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹7,941/yr net annual value on moderate spend.
- Which card has the lower income requirement?
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card lists a minimum monthly income of ₹25,000.
- 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
HSBC Cashback Credit Card
HSBC
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 | HSBCGold HSBC Cashback Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts HSBC Cashback Credit Card Top reward10% Annual fee₹999 Min income₹40,000/mo Tap to flip back HSBC Cashback Credit Card HSBC | 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 | ₹999 | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | No waiver published | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹40,000/mo | Not stated |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | FD-backed |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹7,941/yr | ₹800/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Dining & delivery | — | 10% cashback → ₹400/mo (₹4,800/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 10% | 1X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹1,000 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | 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 · Fuel · Rent · Wallet | Not stated |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-hsbc-cashback-vs-idfc-first-wowMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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