IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select vs Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip
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
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select and Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip differ first on recurring cost: IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹350 + GST for Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, so IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select is cheaper to hold. On rewards, IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends while Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50). IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select has the lower forex markup at 1.99%. 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 2026-08-04. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select | Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | IDFC FIRST Bank | Standard Chartered |
| Joining fee | ₹0 | ₹350 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹0 | ₹350 + GST |
| Fee waiver | No waiver recorded | ₹50,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50) |
| Accelerated routes | 10 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible dining, travel and international purchases | 10x rewards per ₹100 spent booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites, apps or outlets |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, emi, cash advance | fuel, rent, wallet load |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 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 | 2 complimentary visits per calendar year |
| International lounge | none | none — discontinued from 15 October 2024 |
| Card networks | Visa Signature | Visa |
| Best suited to | lifetime free, low forex, balanced | budget travel, flights hotels, low fee |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-08-04 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select better than the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Neither is universally better. IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select charges ₹0 a year and earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends; Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip charges ₹350 + GST and earns 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50). 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, IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹0. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select publishes the lower forex markup at 1.99% versus 3.5%. 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.