Skip to main content
Credit CardsComparisons

Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST WOW

A head-to-head comparison of Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card and IDFC FIRST WOW across fees, rewards, and spending categories to help you decide which card suits your wallet better.

TravelCard A

Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card

Domestic Premium Travel

Annual Fee
₹10,000
Reward Rate
1 MR per ₹50 (~0.8-1% via airline/hotel transfers) + Hotel privileges
Apply Now Read full review →
TravelCard B

IDFC FIRST WOW

International Trips

Annual Fee
Lifetime Free
Reward Rate
Zero Forex Markup
Apply Now Read full review →

Feature comparison

FeatureAmex PlatinumIDFC FIRST
Annual Fee₹10,000 + GST (First-year & subsequent)Lifetime Free
Reward Rate1 MR per ₹50 (~0.8-1% via airline/hotel transfers) + Hotel privilegesZero Forex Markup
Best ForDomestic Premium TravelInternational Trips
First-Card Friendly
Lounge Access
Zero Forex Markup

Spending category coverage

Which categories does each card reward?

CategoryAmex PlatinumIDFC FIRST
Domestic travel
International travel
Airport lounge access
Zero forex markup

Quick verdict

Choose Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card if:

  • You spend heavily on domestic travel
  • You spend heavily on airport lounge access

Choose IDFC FIRST WOW if:

  • Lower annual fee (₹Nil vs ₹10,000)
  • You spend heavily on international travel
  • You spend heavily on zero forex markup
  • This is your first credit card

Full pros & cons

Amex Platinum Reserve Credit Card

What's good
  • Privileged rates and benefits at Taj, SeleQtions, and Vivanta Hotels
  • Complimentary domestic airport lounge access across India
  • Preferred Hotels & Resorts global access
  • Membership Rewards points earning with airline partner transfer options
Watch out for
  • ₹10,000 + GST annual fee with no spend-based waiver
  • Amex acceptance still limited at smaller offline merchants in India
  • Domestic-focused — fewer international travel benefits than Platinum Charge

IDFC FIRST WOW

What's good
  • 0% Forex Markup — saves ₹3,500+ on every lakh spent abroad
  • FD-backed with guaranteed approval
  • No minimum income criteria required
  • 3X reward points (~0.75% effective) on regular spends — 3 RP per ₹150 outside fuel/EMI/wallet
Watch out for
  • Credit limit is 100% tied to the FD amount blocked
  • Requires locking funds in a fixed deposit
  • Does not waive international ATM withdrawal charges