Amazon Pay ICICI vs IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select
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
Amazon Pay ICICI and IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select differ first on recurring cost: Amazon Pay ICICI has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹0 for IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select, so holding cost is identical. On rewards, Amazon Pay ICICI earns 1% in Amazon Pay balance while IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends. Both publish the same 1.99% forex markup. 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 | Amazon Pay ICICI | IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | ICICI Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹0 |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 1% in Amazon Pay balance | 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends |
| Accelerated routes | Amazon (Prime members) · Amazon (non-Prime) · Amazon Pay partner merchants | 10 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible dining, travel and international purchases |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, gift cards, wallet load | fuel, emi, cash advance |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | 1.99% |
| Domestic lounge | none | 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter after ₹20,000 spend in the previous calendar month; 4 railway lounge visits per quarter with the same monthly spend gate |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa, RuPay | Visa Signature |
| Best suited to | amazon, cashback, first card, lifetime free | lifetime free, low forex, balanced |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-16 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Amazon Pay ICICI better than the IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
Neither is universally better. Amazon Pay ICICI charges ₹0 a year and earns 1% in Amazon Pay balance; IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select charges ₹0 and earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends. 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, Amazon Pay ICICI or IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
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, Amazon Pay ICICI or IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
Both publish a 1.99% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
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.