IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth 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 Wealth and Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip differ first on recurring cost: IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth has an annual fee of ₹0 against ₹350 + GST for Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip, so IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth is cheaper to hold. On rewards, IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spend (0.375% at ₹0.25/point) 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 Wealth 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 2026-08-04. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth | 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 spend (0.375% at ₹0.25/point) | 2 Reward Points per ₹100 on other retail spend (issuer values 2 points at ₹0.50) |
| Accelerated routes | dining, travel, international and birthday spends | 10x rewards per ₹100 spent booking tickets at standalone hotel and airline websites, apps or outlets |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, emi, cash advance, fees, loan on card, balance transfer | fuel, rent, wallet load |
| Forex markup | 1.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 1/quarter after ₹20K spend in the previous calendar month | 2 complimentary visits per calendar year |
| International lounge | 1/quarter after ₹20K spend in the previous calendar month | none — discontinued from 15 October 2024 |
| Card networks | Visa Infinite | Visa |
| Best suited to | lifetime free, low forex, premium on budget | 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 Wealth better than the Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
Neither is universally better. IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth charges ₹0 a year and earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spend (0.375% at ₹0.25/point); 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 Wealth or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth 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 Wealth or Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Wealth publishes the lower forex markup at 1.5% 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.