IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve vs SBI Card PRIME
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve Credit Card wins 4 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 9.0/10 vs 8.6/10.
| Feature | IDFC FIRST Diamond Reserve | SBI Card PRIME |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 9.0/10 | 8.6/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹3,000 | ₹2,999 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 0.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 10% | 5% |
| Forex Markup | Zero | 3.5% |
| Domestic Lounges | 8 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 8 | 4 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa | Visa Signature |
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 5%
- Your primary spend is: travel, lounge, forex
When to Choose SBI Card PRIME
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹3L/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 PRIME at ₹4,130. You save ₹4,130/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 PRIME's ₹2,999 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹49,983/month.