Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card vs RBL Bank Icon Credit Card
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card, RBL Bank Icon 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, American Express SmartEarn Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card by about ₹850/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card IDFC FIRST Bank | RBL Bank Icon Credit Card RBL Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | Lifetime free | ₹5,000 |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Lifetime free | No waiver published |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | Not stated | ₹50,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | FD-backed | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹800/yr | -₹4,920/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Travel | — | — | 2 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹17/mo (₹200/yr) |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 1X reward points | 2X points/₹150 |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | None | Domestic lounge access · ₹35,000/quarter retail spend from Jul 2025 (same as RBL World Safari program) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: Reward points on eligible spends via UPI and card · cap Lifetime-free; standard earn caps per IDFC T&Cs | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Not stated | EMI · Fuel · Rent |
| 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?
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹1,650/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
IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Bank
RBL Bank Icon Credit Card
RBL 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 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 | RBL BankPlatinum RBL Bank Icon Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts RBL Bank Icon Credit Card Top reward2X points/₹150 Annual fee₹5,000 Min income₹50,000/mo Tap to flip back RBL Bank Icon Credit Card RBL Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | Lifetime free | ₹5,000 |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Lifetime free | No waiver published |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | Not stated | ₹50,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | FD-backed | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹800/yr | -₹4,920/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Travel | — | — | 2 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹17/mo (₹200/yr) |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 1X reward points | 2X points/₹150 |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | None | Domestic lounge access · ₹35,000/quarter retail spend from Jul 2025 (same as RBL World Safari program) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: Reward points on eligible spends via UPI and card · cap Lifetime-free; standard earn caps per IDFC T&Cs | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Not stated | EMI · Fuel · Rent |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-idfc-first-wow-vs-rbl-iconMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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