American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card vs IDFC First Millennia Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: IDFC First Millennia has the lower annual fee (none vs ₹5,000); Amex Platinum Travel includes 8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass, IDFC First Millennia 4 railway lounge visits a quarter; IDFC First Millennia has the lower forex markup (0% vs 3.5%).
| Key facts | Amex Platinum Travel | IDFC First Millennia |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹5,000 | None |
| Joining fee | Not listed | None |
| Lounge access | 8 airport lounge visits a year + Priority Pass | 4 railway lounge visits a quarter |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 0% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 22 Oct 2026. Rewards, milestones and welcome benefits are in the full table below.
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card and the IDFC First Millennia Credit Card cater to different user needs, with the former focusing on premium travel benefits and the latter on cost-effective rewards and zero forex markup. American Express offers extensive lounge access and accelerated rewards on select shopping brands, while IDFC First Millennia emphasizes cashback on EMI and reward points with no joining or renewal fees. Both cards provide unique value propositions depending on your spending habits and travel frequency.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
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| Feature | American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card | Idfc First Millennia Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | American Express | IDFC First Bank |
| Network | American Express | Visa |
| Joining fee | — | No Joining Fees |
| Annual / renewal fee | Renewal Fee of Rs. 5000 | No Annual Fee |
| Reward rate (headline) | Earn 1 Membership Rewards Point For Every Rs.50 | 3X Reward Points Upto Spends Rs.20000 |
| Lounge — domestic | 8 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Year | 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Visits Per Quarter |
| Lounge — international | Complimentary Priority Pass Membership Worth US $99 | — |
| Welcome benefit | Welcome Gift of 10000 Membership Rewards Points | 5% Cashback on EMI |
| Milestone benefit | Earn 15000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.1.90 Lakhs; Earn 25000 Membership Rewards points on Spend of Rs.4 Lakhs | — |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 0% - Zero Forex Markup |
Which is better for rewards?
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a strong rewards program with 1 Membership Rewards Point for every Rs. 50 spent and accelerated 3X points on select shopping brands like Acer, Ajio, and Flipkart. It also provides welcome and milestone rewards, which add to its value for high spenders. The IDFC First Millennia Credit Card provides 3X reward points up to Rs. 20,000 spends and 10X points on crossing Rs. 20,000 spends and on birthdays, but lacks milestone rewards. Overall, American Express offers more premium and diverse reward opportunities, especially for frequent shoppers at partnered brands.
Which is better for travel?
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card is better suited for travel enthusiasts, offering 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses per year and a Priority Pass membership for international lounges. In contrast, IDFC First Millennia provides 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter but no international lounge access. The Amex card also includes a welcome gift of Membership Rewards points and milestone benefits like a Taj Stay voucher, which enhance travel value. Therefore, for travel-related perks and lounge access, American Express is the stronger option.
Which has lower effective cost?
The IDFC First Millennia Credit Card is more beginner-friendly and cost-effective, with no joining or annual fees and zero forex markup, making it suitable for everyday use and international transactions without extra charges. The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card has a high renewal fee of Rs. 5000 and a forex markup of 3.5%, which can add to the cost for frequent travelers. Additionally, Amex charges convenience fees on fuel transactions above Rs. 5000, whereas IDFC First offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. Overall, IDFC First Millennia is better for users prioritizing low fees and cost efficiency.
Forex Charges and International Use
The American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card charges a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, which can increase costs for international travelers. In contrast, the IDFC First Millennia Credit Card offers zero forex markup, making it more economical for overseas spending.
Lounge Access Comparison
American Express provides 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits annually and a Priority Pass membership for international lounges, enhancing travel comfort. IDFC First Millennia offers 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter but lacks international lounge benefits, focusing more on domestic convenience.
Who should pick American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card?
Consider American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler looking for premium lounge access both domestically and internationally, and if you value accelerated rewards on shopping across multiple popular brands. This card also suits high spenders who can benefit from milestone rewards and welcome points, despite the higher renewal fee and forex markup.
Who should pick Idfc First Millennia Credit Card?
Consider IDFC First Millennia Credit Card if you prefer a no-fee credit card with zero forex markup and cashback benefits on EMI transactions. It is ideal for users who want straightforward reward points on everyday spends, including utilities and insurance, and appreciate complimentary railway lounge access. This card is beginner-friendly and cost-effective for those who want to avoid high fees and surcharges.
Frequently Asked Questions
The joining fee is not specified in the provided data; please check the issuer's website for details.
The IDFC First Millennia Credit Card has zero forex markup, meaning no extra charges on foreign currency transactions.
No, the IDFC First Millennia Credit Card does not offer milestone rewards according to the available data.
It offers 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year and includes a Priority Pass membership for international lounges.
IDFC First Millennia Credit Card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps. The American Express card charges a 1% convenience fee on fuel transactions above Rs. 5000 at HPCL.
American Express Platinum Travel Credit Card offers a welcome gift of 10,000 Membership Rewards points, while IDFC First Millennia Credit Card provides 5% cashback on the first EMI transaction and a Rs. 500 voucher on spending Rs. 5,000 within 30 days.