IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve vs SBI Card ELITE
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card wins 5 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 9.0/10 vs 8.5/10.
| Feature | IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve | SBI Card ELITE |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 9.0/10 | 8.5/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹3,000 | ₹4,999 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 10% | 5% |
| Forex Markup | Zero | 1.99% |
| Domestic Lounges | 8 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 8 | 6 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa | Visa Infinite |
When to Choose IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹6L/year
- You travel internationally — saves ₹1,990/year on ₹1L forex spend
- You want higher rewards — up to 10% vs 5%
- Your primary spend is: travel, lounge, forex
When to Choose SBI Card ELITE
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹10L/year
- Your primary spend is: travel, dining, entertainment
Forex Cost Comparison
On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve costs ₹0 in forex fees vs SBI Card ELITE at ₹2,348. You save ₹2,348/year with IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve.
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve's ₹3,000 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹50,000/month.
To break even on SBI Card ELITE's ₹4,999 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹83,317/month.