In a pleasant and unexpected turn, IDFC FIRST Bank has doubled the reward point value on its Ashva Credit Card from ₹0.25 to ₹0.40 per point. This move, notified via email to Ashva cardholders earlier today, greatly boosts the overall value proposition of the card particularly for high-mileage travelers and reward optimization enthusiasts.
The essential shift is the reward redemption rate, which has been raised by 60%, from ₹0.25 to ₹0.40 per point. Although the Ashva Metal Card was previously competitive in its segment, this upgrade places it head-to-head with some of India’s more veteran premium cards in particular the HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card.
Ashva vs. Regalia Gold: A Quick Travel Spend Comparison
Let’s analyze how the IDFC FIRST Ashva compares with HDFC Regalia Gold, particularly when it comes to booking hotels and flights:
| Category | IDFC FIRST Ashva | HDFC Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Hotel Booking (Earning Rate) | 16% value back | 13.33% value back |
| Flight Booking (Earning Rate) | 10.56% value back | 6.66% value back |
| Redemption Rate | ₹0.40 per point | ₹0.50 per point |
Although HDFC has a redemption rate of ₹0.50 per point through SmartBuy, Ashva’s more superior earning rates particularly 16% on hotels and more than 10% on flights place it ahead for travel-oriented users. It thus renders the Ashva card to be very rewarding, particularly when bookings are done directly through the IDFC portal.
Initial user responses, particularly from groups such as Reddit, are very positive. One user said they received the card during a December promotion where the 1st-month usage milestone (₹20,000 spend) practically made the card free in terms of cashback. Coupled with this recent update, the Ashva Metal Card now seems to provide astronomical upfront and recurring value.
In a more competitive credit card environment, especially in the case of premium and travel-based customers, reward maximization is essential. By maximizing the value per point, IDFC FIRST Bank is making it clear that it aims to play seriously in the premium travel rewards space.
If you are one who frequently reserves hotels or flights, particularly outside HDFC’s SmartBuy network, the Ashva Card is now a strong contender that is worth consideration