ICICI Sapphiro vs IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card wins 6 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 9.0/10 vs 7.6/10.
| Feature | ICICI Sapphiro | IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 7.6/10 | 9.0/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹3,500 | ₹3,000 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 2% | 10% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | Zero |
| Domestic Lounges | 4 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 2 | 8 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa Infinite | Visa |
When to Choose ICICI Sapphiro
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹6L/year
- Your primary spend is: travel, forex, premium
When to Choose IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹6L/year
- You travel internationally — saves ₹3,500/year on ₹1L forex spend
- You want higher rewards — up to 10% vs 2%
- Airport lounge access matters — 8 domestic visits
Forex Cost Comparison
On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: ICICI Sapphiro costs ₹4,130 in forex fees vs IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve at ₹0. You save ₹4,130/year with IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve.
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on ICICI Sapphiro's ₹3,500 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹58,333/month.
To break even on IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve's ₹3,000 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹50,000/month.