IndiGo Axis Bank vs IndiGo IDFC FIRST Credit Card (2026): Which BluChip Card Wins?
Both IndiGo co-branded credit cards earn IndiGo BluChips on your spends, but they come from different banks and sit at very different price points. The IndiGo Axis Bank cards come in an affordable base and a premium variant, while the IndiGo IDFC FIRST card is a single premium card with a standout low forex rate. Here is the honest head-to-head for 2026.
Snapshot comparison
| Feature | IndiGo Axis (Base) | IndiGo Axis (Premium) | IndiGo IDFC FIRST |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹799 + GST | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹4,999 (or secured against ₹1L FD; year 1 free) |
| IndiGo earn | 3 BluChips / ₹100 | Up to 23 BluChips / ₹100 on IndiGo flight bookings | 6 BluChips / ₹100 (up to ~22 combined with 6E loyalty) |
| Other spends | 2/₹100 grocery & dining, 1/₹100 else | 3/₹100 grocery, dining, hotels; 2/₹100 else | Earns BluChips; lower than IndiGo rate |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.49% |
| Lounge access | 1 domestic/quarter (spend-gated) | 2 domestic/quarter + 2 international/year | Travel benefits incl. trip-cancellation cover |
| Welcome | 1,200 BluChips voucher | 5,000 BluChips + 6E Eats voucher | Welcome BluChips (see review) |
| Milestones | — | 5,000 BluChips at ₹2L/5L/8L/12L | BluChips at ₹2L/5L/8L/10L/12L |
| Networks | RuPay & Visa | RuPay & Visa | Mastercard + RuPay (UPI) |
Where the IndiGo Axis cards win
The Axis base card is far cheaper to hold at ₹799, making it the natural pick for occasional IndiGo flyers who still want to earn BluChips. The Axis Premium card has the single highest IndiGo-spend earn rate on the table — up to 23 BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo flight bookings — plus international lounge access, so a heavy IndiGo flyer who books flights on the card can out-earn the IDFC card on IndiGo spend alone. Both Axis variants also give you a RuPay option for UPI-linked spending.
Where the IndiGo IDFC FIRST card wins
The IDFC card’s trump card is its 1.49% foreign-currency markup — less than half the 3.5% on the Axis cards. If you spend abroad even moderately, that difference alone can outweigh a lot of BluChip earning. IDFC also offers a secured (FD-backed) route with the first year free, which makes the premium card accessible to people who could not otherwise qualify, and it bundles travel protection like trip-cancellation cover. Its flat 6 BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo is stronger than the Axis base card’s 3.
Worked example
Take someone who spends ₹1.5 lakh a year on IndiGo flights and ₹3 lakh on everything else, including ₹2 lakh abroad. On the Axis Premium, the accelerated IndiGo earn is excellent, but the 3.5% forex costs about ₹4,000 on the ₹2 lakh of overseas spend. On the IndiGo IDFC FIRST, the 1.49% forex costs roughly ₹1,700 — a ~₹2,300 saving that offsets much of the difference in IndiGo earn. For a domestic-only heavy IndiGo flyer, Axis Premium usually wins; for a frequent international traveller, IDFC’s low forex tilts it back.
Which should you pick?
Occasional IndiGo flyer: the IndiGo Axis base card at ₹799 is the low-commitment choice. Heavy domestic IndiGo flyer who books flights on the card: IndiGo Axis Premium for the up-to-23x IndiGo earn and lounge access. Frequent international traveller or someone who wants the FD-secured route: IndiGo IDFC FIRST for the 1.49% forex and accessibility. If IndiGo is not clearly your main airline, a general travel credit card may beat all three.
Pitfalls to avoid
BluChips are most valuable when redeemed for IndiGo flights — their worth drops if you rarely fly IndiGo. The Axis base card has no fee waiver, so factor the ₹799 in every year. On the premium cards, the high fees only pay off with genuine IndiGo volume. And always confirm the current earn rates, caps and lounge terms on the official issuer pages, as co-branded card terms change often.
Frequently asked questions
Which IndiGo credit card has the lowest forex markup?
The IndiGo IDFC FIRST card, at 1.49% — less than half the 3.5% charged by the IndiGo Axis cards. That makes IDFC the better pick for international spends.
Which IndiGo card earns the most BluChips on IndiGo flights?
The IndiGo Axis Premium card, with up to 23 BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo flight bookings. The IDFC card earns 6 per ₹100 (up to ~22 combined with 6E loyalty), and the Axis base card earns 3.
Is there an IndiGo card without a big annual fee?
Yes — the IndiGo Axis base card at ₹799 + GST is the most affordable. The premium options (Axis Premium ₹5,000 and IDFC ₹4,999) suit frequent flyers.
Can I get an IndiGo card if my credit score is low?
The IndiGo IDFC FIRST card offers a secured (FD-backed) route with the first year free, which can make it accessible even without a strong credit profile.
Sources & references
Card terms verified against Axis Bank and IDFC FIRST Bank official pages and each card’s Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC). Read our full IndiGo Axis Bank review and IndiGo IDFC FIRST review for the detailed breakdowns. Always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.