YES First Business Credit Card Review

For ambitious business owners who demand more from their financial tools, the YES First Business Credit Card represents a significant step up from entry-level business offerings. This premium business card combines aggressive reward rates with sophisticated travel benefits, making it an ideal choice for established enterprises that prioritize both domestic growth and international expansion.

Unlike basic business cards that offer minimal perks, the YES First Business Card delivers genuine value through accelerated rewards on business-critical spending categories, comprehensive lounge access, and an exceptionally competitive foreign currency markup of just 1.75%. Whether you're booking client meetings across the globe or managing day-to-day business expenses, this card is designed to enhance your company's financial efficiency while providing the premium experience your business deserves.

• 16 Reward Points per ₹200: On travel, airlines, hotels, dining, and rented vehicles (capped at 3,000 points per statement cycle).

• 8 Reward Points per ₹200: On all other categories except select categories.

• 4 Reward Points per ₹200: On select categories including utilities, education, and transportation.

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on transactions between ₹400-₹5,000 (capped at ₹500 per month).

• 20,000 Bonus Points: Earned upon spending ₹12 lakh or more in an anniversary year.

• Welcome Benefit: First Year Membership Fee of INR 999+ applicable taxes, waived on total retail spends of INR 20,000/- or more within One month of card set up date.

• International Lounge Access: 6 complimentary visits annually to international airport lounges.

• Domestic Lounge Access: 2 complimentary visits per quarter across 30+ lounges in India.

• Golf Privileges: 1 complimentary golf lesson monthly plus green fee waivers at select courses.

• Credit Shield: ₹8 lakh cover on accidental death of primary cardmember.

• Lost Card Liability: ₹8 lakh protection against unauthorized usage.

The YES First Business Card delivers exceptional value for

• High-spending business owners who can maximize the accelerated reward categories.

• Frequent business travelers who benefit from premium lounge access and low forex rates.

• International businesses leveraging the 1.75% foreign currency markup advantage.

• Established enterprises seeking professional benefits with substantial reward potential.

Real-World Value Assessment

Monthly Earning Potential:

• Travel spending of ₹37,500 monthly yields 3,000 points (maximum cap).

• Additional ₹50,000 in other categories earns 2,000 points.

• Monthly earning potential: 5,000 points worth ₹1,250 in redemption value.

Annual Value Calculation:

• Maximum travel rewards: 36,000 points (₹9,000 value).

• Other category spending: 24,000 points (₹6,000 value).

• Milestone bonus potential: 20,000 points (₹5,000 value).

• Total potential value: ₹20,000+ annually before travel benefits.

Strategic Spending Approach

Focus on maximizing the 16x categories early in each billing cycle to hit the monthly cap, then leverage the solid 8x rate on other business expenses throughout the month.

• First Year: ₹999 + GST (waived on ₹20,000 spend within first month).

• Renewal: ₹999 + GST (waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend).

• Interest Rate: 3.99% per month (47.88% annually) on revolving credit.

Important Limitations to Consider

• Monthly Reward Cap: Travel category rewards capped at 3,000 points per statement cycle.

• Higher Income Requirement: Minimum ITR of ₹10 lakhs annually.

• Transaction Charges:

  • Rental transactions capped at 5 per month with 1% fee.

  • Utility charges of 1% on spends above ₹15,000 per month.

  • Education fee payments through third-party apps incur 1% charges.

  • Large fuel transactions (>₹10,000) subject to 1% fee.

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 21-70 years.

• Business Type: Self-employed, proprietors, partners in partnership firms.

• Income: Minimum ITR of ₹10 lakhs annually.

• Credit Profile: Excellent credit history required for approval.

• Statement Credit: Direct credit to card account at ₹0.25 per point.

• Travel Bookings: Flight and hotel reservations through the rewards portal.

• Air Miles Conversion: 8 reward points = 1 InterMile or 1 Club Vistara point.

• Merchandise: Exclusive catalogue of business equipment and lifestyle products.

Best-Value Strategy

For maximum value, consider air miles conversion for frequent travelers or statement credit for immediate bill reduction. The travel booking platform often provides competitive rates with additional reward earning opportunities.

Redemption Fee: ₹100 + GST applies to most redemption categories.

• Established business owners with annual business expenses exceeding ₹5 lakhs.

• International business operators who frequently travel abroad and appreciate low forex costs.

• High-earning entrepreneurs who value premium travel experiences and lounge access.

• Service-based businesses with significant travel, dining, and client entertainment expenses.

• Monthly travel/dining spending: ₹40,000-₹60,000 (to maximize accelerated rewards).

• Annual business expenses: ₹5-15 lakhs (to justify the premium positioning).

• Regular international transactions: To benefit from industry-leading 1.75% forex markup.

• Consistent quarterly travel: To utilize both domestic and international lounge access.

This card is ideal for businesses that have moved beyond the startup phase and require sophisticated financial tools that match their growth trajectory and international ambitions.

The YES First Business Credit Card stands out as a genuinely premium business offering that justifies its positioning through substantial rewards and exceptional benefits. The 16x points on travel categories, combined with comprehensive lounge access and the industry's best forex rates, create compelling value for the target audience.

The card's strength lies in its ability to serve as both a daily business tool and a premium travel companion, making it ideal for business owners who refuse to compromise on either functionality or luxury.

Areas Requiring Attention

The monthly cap on accelerated rewards may frustrate the highest spenders, and the recent introduction of fees on certain transaction types requires careful monitoring. The ₹10 lakh ITR requirement also limits accessibility compared to entry-level business cards.

Value Assessment

For qualifying businesses with substantial travel and entertainment expenses, this card delivers exceptional ROI. The combination of high reward rates, premium travel benefits, and competitive forex rates creates a compelling value proposition that's difficult to match in the business card segment.

Rating: 4.6/5 - Excellent premium business card with minor limitations.

Recommended if: You're an established business owner with significant travel expenses and international operations seeking premium benefits.

Skip if: You're looking for a basic business card or have minimal travel/entertainment expenses.

• Financial Documentation: Ensure clean ITR showing consistent ₹10+ lakh annual income with stable business operations.

• Business Legitimacy: Proper business registration and established banking relationship with YES Bank can strengthen your application.

• Credit Excellence: Maintain 750+ CIBIL score and demonstrate responsible credit management across existing facilities.

Cost Management

• Payment Discipline: The 47.88% interest rate demands full monthly payments to preserve the card's value proposition.

• Fee Monitoring: Stay informed about evolving fee structures, particularly for utility and education payments.

• Spend Tracking: Monitor ₹3 lakh annual spending to avoid renewal fees while maximizing reward potential.

Business Integration Strategy

Consider this card as the cornerstone of your business payment strategy, ideal for high-value transactions, international operations, and client entertainment. Complement with specialized cards for categories where this card's benefits don't apply.

The YES First Business Credit Card represents a sophisticated financial tool for ambitious business owners who understand that every business expense should contribute to both operational efficiency and strategic value creation. For qualifying enterprises, it offers one of the market's most compelling combinations of rewards, benefits, and prestige.