Federal Bank Celesta vs IndusInd Bank Tiger
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Federal Bank Celesta and IndusInd Bank Tiger differ first on recurring cost: Federal Bank Celesta has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹0 for IndusInd Bank Tiger, so holding cost is identical. On rewards, Federal Bank Celesta earns 1 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend while IndusInd Bank Tiger earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend. IndusInd Bank Tiger has the lower forex markup at 1.5%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Federal Bank Celesta | IndusInd Bank Tiger |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Federal Bank | IndusInd Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 1 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend |
| Accelerated routes | travel & international spends · dining · insurance | None recorded |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, government, financial institution, quasi cash, cash advance | fuel |
| Forex markup | 2% | 1.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 2/quarter (₹60K spend in prior quarter) | 8/yr (no spend condition) |
| International lounge | 2/yr, no spend criteria | 2/yr |
| Card networks | Visa Signature, Mastercard | Visa |
| Best suited to | balanced, lifetime free, occasional traveler | lifetime free, lounge, air india miles, high annual spender |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-30 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Federal Bank Celesta better than the IndusInd Bank Tiger?
Neither is universally better. Federal Bank Celesta charges ₹0 a year and earns 1 Federal Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend; IndusInd Bank Tiger charges ₹0 and earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spend. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Federal Bank Celesta or IndusInd Bank Tiger?
Both cards carry the same recorded annual fee of ₹0, so the decision rests on rewards, caps and exclusions rather than holding cost.
Which is better for international spending, Federal Bank Celesta or IndusInd Bank Tiger?
IndusInd Bank Tiger publishes the lower forex markup at 1.5% versus 2%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.