IDFC First Bank’s Ashva Credit Card is an innovative offering. It derives its inspiration from India’s reminiscent days and offers a unique design and a blend of traditions and modern luxury. This card, which weighs 12 grams and has a joining cost of ₹2,999 + GST, is available in the metal variant, which is quite rare for its price segment. With exclusive privileges, magnificent looks, and decent rewards, this card manages to capture one’s attention. Those who make regular spends of ₹20,000 and above can make the most out of this card as they would earn 10X Rewards on eligible incremental spends above ₹20,000. Crossing this threshold would also allow the cardholder to access spend-based benefits like international/domestic airport lounges and golf lessons/rounds.
The Ashva Visa Infinite Credit Card offers domestic and international privileges, as it has a lower Forex markup charge of 1% (cards usually charge anywhere above 3%). Cardholders can use this card and incur lower charges for international transactions. This, along with international airport lounge access and travel insurance, make this a perfect card for global travelers, and that too at a low joining and annual cost. Let’s review all the benefits offered by this card in depth so that those looking to apply for this credit card can do so easily.
Ashva Metal Credit Card
Joining Fee
Renewal Fee
Best Suited For
Reward Type
Welcome Benefits
Movie & Dining
BOGO on Movie Ticket Bookings Upto ₹400 With BookMyShow, Twice Each Month (Annual Benefit - ₹9,600)
Rewards Rate
10X Reward Points/₹150 on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000 Per Statment Cyecle. 5X Reward Points/₹150 on Spends Upto ₹20,000. 3X RPs Are Also Awarded for Rent, Wallet Load, Education, and Government Transactions
Reward Redemption
Redeem for Vouchers/Cash Against Statement or Pay With Points. 1 RP = ₹0.25
Travel
4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Access Each Quarter, 16 Each Year (For Both Primary and Add-On Cardholders)
Domestic Lounge Access
4 Complimentary Lounge Access Each Quarter
International Lounge Access
2 Complimentary Lounge Access Each Quarter
Golf
2 Free Golf Rounds/Lessons on Spends of ₹20,000 Each in a Statement Cycle
Insurance Benefits
Purchase Protection, Personal Accident Cover, Travel Insurance and Credit Shield
Spend-Based Waiver
N/A
Rewards Redemption Fee
₹99 +GST
Foreign Currency Markup
1% on International Transactions
Interest Rates
Monthly Rate 0.75% to 3.65% and Annual Rate 9% to 43.8%
Fuel Surcharge
1% Waiver on Fuel Surcharge Upto ₹400
Cash Advance Charges
₹199
- Ashva Credit Card is a rewarding card from IDFC First Bank. It is available in the metal variant.
- Free movie tickets worth ₹400 are offered on bookings made with BookMyShow. This benefit is available twice each month.
- Primary and add-on cardholders are offered free domestic and international airport lounge access with the Ashva Card.
- Spend-based golfing privileges are available with this card.
Pros
- From domestic airports to international ones and even railway lounges across India, this card offers complimentary lounge access everywhere.
- With so many complimentary services and the added advantage of Visa Infinite, this card comes at an affordable fee of ₹2,999.
Cons
- To fully take advantage of this card, you would need to spend more than ₹20,000 each month. Only when such spending is achieved can you earn 10X Reward Points and get access to free airport lounge visits. So those who can’t accomplish the spend of ₹20,000 month after month cannot fully experience the reward and privileges of this card.
- This card does not offer a spend-based annual fee waiver. Instead, you would need to pay the fee each year. Cardholders won’t be eligible for any renewal benefit also. All they can get is an annual benefit of ₹1,875 on spending ₹8 lakh in a year.
Limited Time Bonus Reward Points (Till 30th September)
Apply and get approved for the Ashva Credit Card before 30th September 2024 to earn a bonus of 5,000 Reward Points. These Reward Points will be worth ₹1,250 and credited before 30th December 2024.
Welcome Offer
Spending ₹500 or more on any four transactions within the first 60 days of card issuance would yield a cashback of ₹500 on each transaction, for a total cashback of ₹2,000.
Reward Points
- 10X Reward Points/₹150 on incremental spends above ₹20,000 in a monthly statement cycle.
- 5X/₹150 Reward Points on spends up to ₹20,000 in a monthly statement cycle.
- With the Ashva Card, you can earn rewards even in restricted categories. Cardholders are eligible to earn 3X/₹150 Reward Points on rent, government, wallet load, and education and 1X/₹150 Reward Points on insurance and utilities.
- The Reward Points earned with the Ashva Credit Card do not expire.
Value of One Reward Point = ₹0.25
Which categories are exempt from reward point earning?
- Fuel
- Transactions Converted into EMI
- Fee or Charges
- Loan on Card
- Balance Transfer
- Cash Withdrawal Transactions
“Buy One Get One” Free on Movies
Cardholders can get a “Buy One Get One” free offer on the second movie ticket they book on BookMyShow. The maximum discount for each movie ticket is ₹400, and this offer can be availed twice each month. This benefit could help save up to ₹800 per month and ₹9600 per year.
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounge access is a must for travelers, especially those who travel quite frequently and even globally. With the Ashva Credit Card, primary and add-on cardholders can get complimentary airport lounge access across the country and even at international airports. This benefit can be availed by spending ₹20,000 each month. Spends made in the previous month would make the cardholder eligible for lounge access in the next month.
Domestic Lounge Access
Get upto four complimentary visits each quarter at select lounges and spas across Indian Airports.
International Lounge Access
Two complimentary visits each quarter to lounges at select international airports.
Free Railway Lounge Access
Both primary and add-on cardholders will get four free railway lounge visits across participating IRCTC railway lounges in India. An authorization fee of ₹2 will be charged to check the card’s validity at the railway lounge. Once the cardholder successfully swipes the Ashva Card for railway lounge access, they will have to wait 24 hours to re-access the lounge.
Which railway lounges are eligible for free access with the Ashva Credit Card in India?
- Chennai Central Railway Station – Executive Lounge
- Old Delhi Railway Station – Irctc Lounge
- Jaipur Railway Station – Irctc Executive Lounge
- Sealdah Railway Station – Irctc Executive Lounge
- Madurai Railway Station – Irctc Executive Lounge
- New Delhi Railway Station – Irctc Executive Lounge
- Varanasi Cantt Railway Station – Irctc Executive Lounge
What facilities are available at railway lounges in India?
- Upto two hours of comfortable lounge stay.
- One buffet meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner as per the time of visit). Only one buffet meal per visit will be provided to eligible cardholders.
- Enjoy unlimited tea and coffee.
- Access to newspapers, magazines, and free Wi-Fi.
Golf Privileges
The IDFC Ashva Credit Card offers two complimentary golf lessons or rounds each month. This spend-based benefit can be unlocked by spending ₹20,000 or more in a statement cycle. Spend ₹40,000 in a statement cycle to fully unlock two golf lessons or golf rounds across courses in India. This benefit is only available for the primary Ashva Credit Cardholders.
Insurance Benefits
Apart from the insurances mentioned below, complimentary Roadside Assistance (RSA) is also offered with the Ashva Credit Card all over India, up to four times a year. This can be very useful if one gets into car trouble. The RSA is worth ₹1,399.
Card Liability Cover | ₹50,000 |
Personal Accident | ₹10 Lakh |
Credit Shield | ₹50,000 |
Purchase Protection | ₹50,000 |
Personal Air Accident | ₹10 Lakh |
Annual Milestone Benefit
Cardholders who spend ₹8 lakh in a card anniversary year are eligible for a bonus of 7,500 Reward Points, valued at ₹1,875. This does not seem like much of a benefit as spending as high as ₹8 lakh in a year can be better rewarded with other cards. For example, by spending ₹4 lakh in a year with the American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card, one can earn more than ₹20,000 in benefits.
Visa Infinite Benefits
The Ashva Metal Credit Card is available on Visa Infinite which brings even more benefits to the table. Some of the privileges associated with Visa Infinite are given below.
- Airport meet and greet discounts across 450 worldwide destinations.
- Personalized concierge for dining reservations, vacation bookings, flights, and more.
- Huge discounts on limousine airport transfers at global destinations.
- Premium and luxurious benefits at more than 900 hotels worldwide. Take advantage of automatic room upgrades upon arrival, complimentary in-room Wi-Fi, complimentary continental breakfast, VIP Guest status, 3 PM check-out upon request, and more.
Ashva Credit Card Review
The Ashva Credit Card has a joining and annual cost of ₹2,999 and offers ₹2,000 cash back as a welcome benefit. It is a metal credit card available on the Visa Network. Those with an annual income of ₹12 lakh or more can easily apply for this rewarding and unique card. From lounges to golf, this card has it all. One of its most important and attractive benefits is the free movie tickets on BookMyShow. For those who make foreign spends, this card offers a lower Forex charge of 1%.
Although there are many privileges associated with this card, it’s best to mention that many of them are spend-based. Whether it’s the 10X Reward Points, golf, or airport lounge access, all can be accessed by making a spend of ₹20,000. Those who spend a lot should definitely opt for this card. Many will be captured by its beautiful design and might apply for it just to have it in their wallets. Those who have fluctuating spending and might not be sure that they can match the ₹20,000 threshold should apply for other mid-segment credit cards.
Finally, we can say that this credit card exemplifies Indian traditions in its features and looks and offers a captivating experience. Even if all its rewards and features are set aside, being a Visa Infinite card makes it appealing.
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