The verdict
A genuine powerhouse for international high-spenders. Eliminating the typical 3.5% foreign currency markup saves ₹35,000 on ₹10 Lakhs of overseas spending, single-handedly obliterating the ₹5,999 annual fee before even accounting for 32 annual lounge visits and golf perks.
Spending ₹10,00,000 annually abroad saves ₹35,000 in forex markup fees (0% vs standard 3.5%). In addition, domestic monthly spends of ₹50,000 earn 10X rewards on the ₹30,000 incremental balance (7,500 points/year worth ₹1,875). Combined with 32 airport lounge visits (worth ~₹32,000), total realized value exceeds ₹68,000 against a ₹5,999 annual fee (over 11× return).
For domestic-only spenders who rarely travel abroad and spend under ₹20,000 monthly, entry-level LTF cards like IDFC WOW or cashback cards are more suitable.
✓What works
- +Zero Foreign Currency Markup (0%) on all international point-of-sale and online cross-border transactions.
- +32 complimentary airport lounge visits annually (16 domestic + 16 international) with flexible guest access allowances.
- +10X Reward Points (2.5% effective reward rate) on incremental spending above ₹20,000 per monthly billing cycle.
- +Reward points never expire and can be redeemed for flights, hotels, and merchandise at 1 point = ₹0.25.
- +Complimentary golf lessons and rounds, airport spa visits, and buy-one-get-one movie offers up to ₹500/month.
✕What doesn't
- −Annual joining and renewal fee of ₹5,999 + GST with no automated spend-based waiver.
- −Base reward rate below ₹20,000 monthly spend is 3 points per ₹150 (0.5% return).
- −High income eligibility requirement (₹15 Lakhs annual income).
What it earns
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 (Never expiring). 10X reward rate activates automatically above ₹20,000 monthly spend.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Spends Above ₹20,000 (10X Rewards) | 2.5% (10X Points) | Uncapped | 10,000 Points (₹2,500 value) |
| Base Spends Up To ₹20,000 / month | 0.5%–0.75% (3 Points / ₹150) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (₹500 value) |
| Fuel & Cash Advances | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
10X Never-Expiring Reward Multiplier on Incremental Spends
Automatic 10X acceleration on all purchases after surpassing ₹20,000 in a billing cycle.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spends Above ₹20,000 / month10X points on all incremental retail spending. | 3.33× · 2.5% (10X) | Uncapped | — |
| Birthday Spends10X rewards on all transactions on your birthday. | 3.33× · 2.5% (10X) | Birthday billing cycle | — |
Redemption options
Redeem directly on IDFC FIRST rewards portal for flights, hotels, vouchers, or statement credit.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight & Hotel BookingsBEST VALUE | 1 Point = ₹0.25 | 1 point | No ceiling | ₹99 + GST |
| Brand Gift Vouchers (Amazon / Flipkart)BEST VALUE | 1 Point = ₹0.25 | 1 point | No ceiling | ₹99 + GST |
Airmiles & Hotel Loyalty Transfer Partners
1 PartnersTransfer your IDFC First Reward Points directly to global airline and hotel loyalty programs. Net realized value reflects actual flight and stay redemptions benchmarked against official transfer ratios.
Points never expire and redeem at ₹0.25/pt on flights, hotels, and brand vouchers.
| Loyalty Program | Ratio | Net Realized Value | Speed & Min | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Air India Maharaja Club airline•Star Alliance | 2 Pts : 1 Maharaja Points | ₹0.30 – ₹0.45per bank pt | 3 - 7 days Min: 500 pts | Deep Dive → |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +All international POS and online foreign currency transactions at 0% markup.
- +Domestic retail, dining, travel, and luxury shopping.
- +Airport spa and golf privileges.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel purchases (covered by 1% fuel surcharge waiver on ₹200 to ₹5,000).
- −Wallet loading and cash advances.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹5,999 + GST |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹5,999 + GST |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 0.0% (Zero Forex Markup on all international transactions) |
| Finance Charges (Monthly) | 0.75% to 2.99% per month (9% to 35.88% APR) |
| Add-On Card Fee | Nil |
| Card Replacement Fee | ₹100 + GST |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 to 65 years |
| Minimum Income | ₹15,00,000 per annum (Salaried or Self-Employed) |
| Residency | Resident Indian citizen |
Policy Changes & Devaluation History
1 RecordLounge Threshold 5× Hike + Base Earn Rate Cut 33%
Lounge access spend threshold raised from ₹4,000 → ₹20,000/month. Base earn rate cut from 1 RP/₹150 → 1 RP/₹200.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card?
Who is IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card
The IDFC FIRST Mayura Metal Credit Card is the flagship public-tier metal credit card issued on the Visa Infinite platform by IDFC FIRST Bank. Positioned for executive travelers, overseas business professionals, and affluent households, the card commands an annual fee of ₹5,999 + GST. Its core engineering combines 0.0% foreign currency markup, an expansive allocation of 32 annual airport lounge visits with guest privileges, protected international reward accrual, airport wellness perks, and structured milestone incentives.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Zero Forex Markup & Sustained Overseas Rewards:
- Offers 0% foreign exchange markup across all cross-border point-of-sale terminal swipes and international web checkouts, eliminating the standard 3.5% currency conversion overhead.
- Cardholders earn regular and accelerated reward points (up to 10X points) on all international transactions alongside permanent 0% forex markup, re-confirmed via IDFC FIRST Bank’s 13 September 2026 circular.
- Comprehensive Global Lounge & Travel Hospitality:
- Airport Lounge Privileges: Delivers 16 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits and 16 international airport lounge visits per calendar year (distributed as 4 visits per quarter per category).
- Guest Pass Sharing: Cardholders can utilize eligible quarterly lounge allotments to bring accompanying travel companions and family members into airport lounges.
- Airport Wellness: Includes complimentary airport spa sessions at participating airport terminal lounges.
- Railway Lounge Access: Complimentary access to executive railway lounges across Indian railway junctions upon meeting monthly spend criteria.
- Structured Reward Acceleration:
- Incremental Spending (10X): All eligible retail spending beyond ₹20,000 in a monthly billing cycle earns 10 reward points per ₹150 spent (approximately 2.5% effective reward return).
- Birthday Purchases: Cardholder birthday transactions earn 10X rewards without spending caps.
- Base Spends: Spends up to ₹20,000 monthly earn 3 reward points per ₹150 (0.50% to 0.75% value).
- Points Never Expire: Reward points carry zero expiration dates and can be redeemed for flight/hotel bookings or statement credits at ₹0.25 per point.
- Golf, Entertainment, and Mobility Protections:
- Complimentary golf rounds and professional golf lessons at leading golf clubs nationwide.
- Up to ₹500 monthly discount on movie ticket bookings via BookMyShow (BOGO format up to ₹250 per ticket).
- Comprehensive travel insurance, roadside breakdown assistance (RSA), and air accident death cover up to ₹1 Crore.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
Cardholders should note specific policy parameters and fee structures:
- No Automatic Spend-Linked Fee Waiver: The ₹5,999 + GST annual renewal fee is non-waivable via automated spend milestones; value must be extracted through travel and lounge utilization.
- Quarterly Lounge Allocation: Lounge visits are distributed per calendar quarter (up to 4 domestic and 4 international visits per quarter) rather than accessible as a lump-sum annual balance.
- Reward Redemption Processing Fee: Online reward redemptions for merchandise or travel vouchers incur a nominal ₹99 + GST handling fee per transaction.
- Base Spend Yield: Purchases below the ₹20,000 monthly threshold yield modest baseline returns (0.50%), making the card best suited for cardholders who naturally exceed this spend level.
- Financing Terms: Revolving unpaid statement balances incurs variable interest ranging between 9% and 35.88% per annum depending on credit history.
Who Benefits Most
- High-Volume International Spenders: Professionals and business owners making substantial overseas purchases or foreign currency transactions who save 3.5% while continuing to earn rewards.
- Frequent Long-Distance Travelers: Individuals and families who can maximize the 32 annual lounge visits and guest entry provisions.
- Golf and Wellness Enthusiasts: Spenders who actively utilize golf privileges, airport spa treatments, and premium entertainment perks.
- Executive Cardholders: Users who desire a precision-crafted physical metal card form factor paired with top-tier international travel utility.
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).