Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) vs IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, IDFC Ashva Gold (FD), IDFC FIRST Select 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, IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card by about ₹420/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) IDFC FIRST Bank | IDFC FIRST Select 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 | Not stated | ₹30,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | FD-backed | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹1,600/yr | ₹2,070/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 2X reward points | 3X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | Domestic lounge with FD ≥ ₹25K · FD-backed card — lounge tied to minimum ₹25,000 fixed deposit, not monthly spend | 2 domestic visits/quarter + railway lounges · ₹20,000 spend in previous calendar month per visit block (issuer T&Cs) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Not stated | EMI · Rent |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Which card has the lower annual fee?
- IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) has a ₹0 annual fee (lifetime free or zero-fee tier).
- Which card earns more on moderate spend?
- IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹2,070/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 Ashva Gold (FD) 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
IDFC Ashva Gold (FD)
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Select 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 | IDFC FIRST BankGold IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) Top reward2X reward points Annual feeLifetime Free Tap to flip back IDFC Ashva Gold (FD) IDFC FIRST Bank | IDFC FIRST BankPlatinum IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts IDFC FIRST Select Credit Card Top reward3X reward points Annual feeLifetime Free Min income₹30,000/mo Tap to flip back IDFC FIRST Select 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 | Not stated | ₹30,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | FD-backed | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹1,600/yr | ₹2,070/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 2X reward points | 3X reward points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | Domestic lounge with FD ≥ ₹25K · FD-backed card — lounge tied to minimum ₹25,000 fixed deposit, not monthly spend | 2 domestic visits/quarter + railway lounges · ₹20,000 spend in previous calendar month per visit block (issuer T&Cs) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Not stated | EMI · Rent |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-idfc-ashva-gold-vs-idfc-first-selectMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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