IDFC First Select Visa Credit Card vs MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card Visa: Which is Better in 2026?

Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card vs Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa

In short: both have no annual fee; IDFC First Select includes 2 airport lounge visits a quarter, MakeMyTrip ICICI Signature 2 airport lounge visits; IDFC First Select has the lower forex markup (0% vs 0.99%).

Key factsIDFC First SelectMakeMyTrip ICICI Signature
Annual feeNoneNone
Joining feeNone₹2,500
Lounge access2 airport lounge visits a quarter2 airport lounge visits
Forex markup0%0.99%

From issuer benefit data, checked 22 Oct 2026. Rewards, milestones and welcome benefits are in the full table below.

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card and the Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa both offer travel-related benefits but cater to different user preferences. The Idfc First card has no joining or renewal fees and provides strong reward points on various spends, while the Makemytrip Icici Bank card charges a joining fee but offers exclusive MakeMyTrip benefits and milestone rewards. Both cards include complimentary airport lounge access domestically, but their forex charges and reward structures differ significantly.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card
Best for travel → Too close to call
Best for low fee → Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card
Best for beginners → Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card
Feature Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa
BankIDFC First BankICICI Bank
NetworkVisaVisa
Joining feeNo Joining FeesJoining Fee of Rs.2500
Annual / renewal feeNo Annual FeeNo Annual Fee
Reward rate (headline)3X Reward Points Upto Spends Rs.20000—
Lounge — domestic2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access
Welcome benefit5% Cashback on EMIWelcome Benefit - Get Rs.1500 MakeMyTrip Cash in My Wallet
Milestone benefit—Spend Rs.2.5 Lakhs and Earn 1100 My Cash Per Anniversary Year; Spend Rs.5 Lakhs and Earn 4000 My Cash Per Anniversary Year
Foreign currency markup0% - Zero Forex Markup0.99% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card clearly leads in rewards with multiple tiers of reward points including 3X and 10X points on specific spends like rentals, birthdays, and crossing Rs. 20,000 in spending. It also offers a straightforward redemption rate of 1 Reward Point = Rs. 0.25. In contrast, the Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa does not list direct reward points but provides My Cash which can be redeemed on travel bookings. Milestone rewards on the Makemytrip card require high annual spends, making it less accessible for moderate spenders.

Which is better for travel?

Both cards provide 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses, making them comparable for frequent domestic travelers. However, the Makemytrip Icici Bank card offers additional travel-centric perks such as a MakeMyTrip Black membership and holiday vouchers, which can be valuable for users who frequently book travel through MakeMyTrip. The Idfc First card’s zero forex markup is a significant advantage for international travelers, whereas the Makemytrip card charges 0.99% on foreign currency transactions.

Which has lower effective cost?

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card has a clear edge in fees with no joining or annual fees, making it a low-cost option. The Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa charges a joining fee of Rs. 2,500 but no annual fee thereafter. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, though the Makemytrip card’s waiver applies only to HPCL fuel transactions. The fee waiver details for both cards are not explicitly mentioned and should be verified on the issuer’s site.

Forex Charges

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card offers zero forex markup, making it more cost-effective for international transactions. The Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa charges a 0.99% forex markup, which can add to the cost of foreign currency spends.

MakeMyTrip Benefits

The Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa provides exclusive travel benefits such as complimentary MMT Black membership and holiday vouchers redeemable on MakeMyTrip bookings. These benefits can add significant value for users who frequently use the MakeMyTrip platform.

Fee Structure and Waivers

While the Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card has no joining or renewal fees, the Makemytrip Icici Bank card requires a joining fee but no annual fee. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, though the Makemytrip card’s waiver is limited to HPCL fuel transactions. Details on fee waivers are not fully disclosed and should be checked on the respective bank websites.

Who should pick Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card?

Consider Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card if you prefer a no-fee credit card with a robust and versatile reward points program that rewards various categories including rentals, utilities, and birthdays. It is also suitable if you want zero forex markup for international spending and want to avoid joining fees. This card is a practical choice for users seeking consistent rewards without high spending thresholds.

Who should pick Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa?

Consider Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa if you frequently book travel through MakeMyTrip and can benefit from the exclusive MMT Black membership and holiday vouchers. It is also suitable if you can meet the high spending milestones to earn additional My Cash rewards. This card is tailored for travel enthusiasts who value MakeMyTrip-specific perks despite the upfront joining fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card charge any annual or joining fees?

No, the Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card has no joining or annual fees.

What is the forex markup fee on these cards?

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card has zero forex markup, while the Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa charges a 0.99% forex markup.

How many complimentary airport lounge accesses do these cards offer?

Both cards offer 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses.

Are there any milestone rewards on these cards?

The Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa offers milestone rewards of My Cash on spending Rs. 2.5 Lakhs and Rs. 5 Lakhs annually. The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card does not have milestone rewards.

What are the welcome benefits for these cards?

The Idfc First Select Visa Credit Card offers 5% cashback on the first EMI transaction and a Rs. 500 welcome voucher on spending Rs. 5000. The Makemytrip Icici Bank Signature Credit Card Visa provides Rs. 1500 MakeMyTrip Cash and a Rs. 2500 MakeMyTrip holiday voucher.

Do these cards offer fuel surcharge waivers?

Yes, both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. The Idfc First card’s waiver applies across all petrol pumps, while the Makemytrip Icici Bank card’s waiver is limited to HPCL fuel transactions.