IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card
- Updated On: 13 May, 2026
The Diamond Reserve Credit Card is positioned as a premium offering by IDFC Bank. It comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST, which is waived for customers holding the invite-only IDFC Bank Diamond Reserve Savings Account. With zero forex markup, access to domestic and international airport lounges, and railway lounge access, the card is best suited for those who travel frequently, especially overseas. However, unlike other premium IDFC cards, such as the Mayura Credit Card, the Diamond Reserve Credit Card does not offer reward points on international spends.
In addition to these features, the card includes multiple insurance covers and a Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) benefit, which can be extremely useful during emergencies or last-minute travel plan changes.
IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card
( 4.6 / 5 )
- Joining Fee
- Annual Fee
- Best Suited For
- Reward Type
Rewards Rate
3 Reward Points/₹150 Spent on Incremental Spends Up to ₹20,000. 10 Reward Points/₹150 Spent on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000
Welcome Benefits
Gift Voucher Worth ₹500 on Spending ₹5,000 Within 30 Days of Card Activation
Rewards and Benefits
Movie & Dining
BOGO on Movie Ticket Bookings Via District (Up to ₹500) (Benefit Can Be Availed on Spending ₹20,000 in the Previous Month)
Rewards Rate
3 Reward Points/₹150 Spent on Incremental Spends Up to ₹20,000. 10 Reward Points/₹150 Spent on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000
Reward Redemption
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25
Travel
4 Free Railway Lounge Visit Each Quarter
Domestic Lounge Access
2 Visits Each Quarter (For Both Primary and Add-On Cardholders)
International Lounge Access
2 Visits Each Quarter (For Both Primary and Add-On Cardholders)
Golf
2 Golf Lessons/Games Each Month
Insurance Benefits
Personal Accident Cover, Purchase Protection, and Travel Insurance
Fees & Charges
Spend-Based Waiver
Annual Fee Waiver on Spends of ₹6 Lakh in a Year
Rewards Redemption Fee
₹99 + GST
Foreign Currency Markup
Zero (0%)
Interest Rates
Monthly Rate – 0.75% – 3.65%. Annual Rate – 9% – 43.8%
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver on Transactions Between ₹200 and ₹5,000 (Maximum ₹300 Per Statement Cycle)
Cash Advance Charges
₹199
Product Details
- Buy 1 Get 1 movie ticket (up to ₹250 off) twice every month via District by Zomato.
- Up to 2 complimentary golf rounds or lessons monthly on spends of ₹40,000.
- No forex charges on international transactions.
- Complimentary RSA up to 4 times a year, including towing, tyre change & jump start.
- Get reimbursed up to ₹25,000 for flight or hotel cancellations, even for personal reasons.
- Personal accident, card liability, purchase protection & travel insurance included.
- 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25, redeemable easily through the IDFC FIRST rewards portal.
Pros/Cons
Pros
- Unlike other premium cards, such as Ashva and Mayura, which charge a high fee for add-on cards, the Diamond Reserve Credit Card comes with a nominal add-on fee of ₹499 per add-on card. This can be useful for those who want to share benefits like airport lounge access with family members.
Cons
- There are no reward points on international spends, which is quite disappointing since the card is positioned as a premium offering with zero forex charges.
- The ₹500 welcome voucher included with this card is not worth the ₹3,000 joining fee.
₹500 Welcome Voucher
Get a ₹500 gift voucher from brands like Amazon, BigBasket, Uber, or Lifestyle when you spend ₹5,000 within 30 days of getting the card.
Earn Up to 50X Reward Points
- Earn 3 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on eligible purchases up to ₹20,000 in a billing cycle.
- Earn 10 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent on eligible purchases once your monthly spending crosses ₹20,000.
- Certain categories earn lower rewards and do not qualify for the higher rate. Rent, government payments, wallet loads, and education earn 3 Reward Points per ₹150, while insurance and utility payments earn 1 Reward Point per ₹150.
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25
Exclusions
No reward points are earned on international spends (even though zero forex is charged), fuel transactions (fuel surcharge is waived), EMI conversions, fees, and GST, loan on card, balance transfers, cash withdrawals, and transactions below ₹150.
Free Movie Tickets Via District
With the Diamond Reserve Credit Card, cardholders can buy one movie ticket and get up to ₹250 off on the second ticket when booking through the District app by Zomato. This offer can be used twice in a calendar month, allowing users to enjoy up to two free movie tickets every month.
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
The Diamond Reserve Credit Card offers two complimentary visits per quarter to domestic and international airport lounges in India and across the globe. This benefit is unlocked when monthly spending reaches ₹20,000 or more.
One of the key advantages is that lounge access is shared between the primary and add-on cardholders, making it useful for families or loved ones who may not otherwise have access to international airport lounges.
Free Railway Lounge Access
Diamond Reserve Credit Cardholders can enjoy up to four complimentary visits per quarter at participating railway lounges across India. This benefit is available to both primary and add-on cardholders, with a total of four visits shared between them on a first-come, first-served basis.
Insurance Covers
| Insurance Type | Cover Amount |
| Purchase Protection | ₹50,000 |
| Credit Shield | ₹50,000 |
| Personal Accident | ₹10 Lakh |
| Personal Air Accident | ₹1 Crore |
| Delay In Flight | USD 300 |
| Delay of Checked-In Baggage | USD 100 |
Final Review
The look, name, and fees make the IDFC Diamond Reserve Credit Card feel like a premium card, but in reality, it falls short. Even the name is a bit misleading, as the card does not offer any standout or luxury-level benefits. Cardholders are charged a joining fee of ₹3,000 + GST, yet the welcome benefit is limited to just a ₹500 voucher, which feels underwhelming from the start.
While the card does offer lifestyle perks like airport lounge access, railway lounge access, and golf benefits, all of these are linked to minimum spend conditions. The regular reward rate is also quite low, making it less attractive for everyday spending. Overall, this card seems suitable only for a very specific set of users who are unable to qualify for better-rewarding options, including other IDFC cards like the Ashva.
Before applying, users should carefully read all the terms and conditions and clearly understand the benefits and spending requirements to avoid disappointment later.
FAQs:
Will international spends be eligible for reward earning with the IDFC Diamond Reserve Credit Card?
No, although the IDFC Diamond Reserve Credit Card offers zero Forex charges for international spends, there are no rewards for the same.
Is airport lounge access benefit spend-based?
Yes, cardholders must spend ₹20,000 or more each month to be eligible for free airport lounge access with the Diamond Reserve Credit Card.