IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card
Financial Expert Advice
Choose Your First (or Next) Credit Card Wisely
Maintain Two Credit Cards: One For Routine Expenses And Auto-Debits, And Another Reserved For Emergencies. Avoid Pursuing Rewards; Prioritize Financial Stability And Discipline.
IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card Review: Smart Fuel, Grocery, and Bill Savings for Urban Drivers and Indian Families
introduction
The IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card, created in partnership with HPCL (Hindustan Petroleum), is designed for everyday Indian commuters and families who value savings on fuel and routine expenses. Offering reliable rewards on fuel purchases, groceries, and utility bill payments, this card helps cardholders make the most of their daily spending. With a low annual fee of ₹199 easily waived through regular use, it brings a balance of affordability and practicality. Added benefits like complimentary railway lounge access and emergency roadside assistance make it a convenient, well-rounded choice for those seeking consistent value and easy rewards without added hassle.
key features and benefits
Fuel Rewards
Up to 5% savings on your fuel expenses.
₹250 worth benefit# on 1st HPCL fuel transaction of ₹250 or above to be done within 60 days of cards set-up.
No fuel surcharge waiver; instead, very high direct returns.
Reward Structure
2.5% savings as Rewards on Grocery & Utility expenses.
Up to 8.67% savings on hotel & flight bookings through IDFC FIRST Mobile App.
2.5% savings as Rewards on IDFC FIRST FASTag recharge.
3X Rewards on UPI and other retail transactions.
Fee Structure
Joining fee: ₹199 + GST.
annual fee: ₹199 + GST, waived at just ₹50,000 in yearly spends.
lounge access
- Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge access, once every quarter, on minimum monthly spends of ₹20,000.
insurance Privilege
- Personal Accident Cover of ₹2,00,000 and Lost Card Liability Cover of ₹25,000.
Interest-free ATM Cash Withdrawals
- interest-free ATM Cash Withdrawals For up to 45 days (cash withdrawal fee of only ₹199 + gST per transaction).
Roadside Assistance
Complimentary Roadside Assistance worth ₹1,399.
Referral reward points
- Refer your friends and earn up to 10,000 Rewards (2,000 Rewards for every card set-up).
Card Essential
Rewards and Benefits Analysis
- Who Benefits Most?
City drivers and commuters can enjoy great monthly savings with a 4% reward on all HPCL fuel purchases, including LPG, which is higher than most standard surcharge waivers. Urban families benefit from an extra 4% on groceries, utility bills, and FASTag recharges, with clear limits that make budgeting simple. For average spenders, the lower reward caps keep the focus on essential categories, ensuring the card delivers meaningful value instead of scattered, low-rate rewards.
- Sample Value Calculation
- ₹8,000/month fuel at HPCL = ₹320 back (points value + HP Pay HappyCoins).
- ₹5,000/month groceries/utilities/FASTag = ₹200 back.
- ₹50,000/yr spend hits annual fee waiver, card is effectively free for moderate users.
Practical Considerations
Caps & Limits:
Max ₹1,000 points/month/category for fuel/grocery/utilities/FASTag. Good for most, but heavy spenders might need Power+.
All other spends: 0.5%, standard among entry-tier cards.
Redemptions: 1 point = ₹0.25; fee of ₹99+GST per redemption.
Eligibility:
Age: 21+, CIBIL 730+, salary ₹3 lakh+/yr. Digital KYC, quick online application.
Only major household/daily spends are rewarded: For luxury, cross-border, or big online shopping, consider a higher-tier or alternate card.
Redemption Options
How to Redeem:
Points can be used for statement credit, travel (IDFC app), e-vouchers, or shopping.
Best to redeem points in larger chunks to minimize redemption fees.
Best-Value Strategy:
Redeem for travel or fuel credit for best practical value.
Use points for bill offsetting during seasonal household spending spikes.
Ideal User Profile
Commuters and daily drivers who regularly fill at HPCL pumps—including LPG buyers.
Urban family budgeters, bill payers, and anyone with regular spending on fuel, groceries, and utilities.
Salary earners or small family units preferring clear, capped, essential rewards over flashier card perks.
Final Thoughts
Strengths
Exceptional 4% value on fuel, utilities, groceries, and FASTag; caps and rates fit most family spends.
Low annual fee (waived easily), quick application, no travel or luxury “fluff.”
Unique HP Pay app double-dip for heavy HPCL users.
Caps on spend rewards mean that power users and big families might want to pony up for Power+.
No airport lounge, premium travel benefits, or foreign perks.
Redemption fee; best to redeem quarterly or semi-annually.
Verdict
The IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card is the ideal “starter” or “household” card: Easy to get, easy to waive, with excellent real-world value on India’s most frequent family and commute spends. For anyone who keeps family budgets lean but wants real cashback everywhere, Power delivers big for a small fee.
Additional Tips for Applicants
Use HP Pay for extra rewards at HPCL—always scan before swiping.
Bundle redemptions for lower net fees—tackle quarterly groceries/fuel.
Keep an eye on caps and shift extra big spends to Power+ or an online shopping card if needed.
Track annual spend to ensure you always hit the fee waiver mark.
CDMS EXPERT ADVICE
Cards like IDFC FIRST Power are excellent for cutting fuel, grocery, and bill costs—but only when the full statement is paid each month; revolving dues or using “interest‑free” ATM withdrawals without a payoff plan can turn small balances into long‑term debt. If multiple cards, EMIs, or rising minimum payments are beginning to strain your monthly budget, connect with CDMS at Cashon.cards for expert, structured support to reorganize obligations, control interest outgo, and restore healthy cash flow while you keep using credit smartly.
This review offers a clear and balanced overview of The IDFC FIRST Power Credit Card’s strengths and limitations, helping readers make an informed choice about whether this card fits their
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