Is the IDFC first Ashva credit card truly travel-ready? 4 key benefits explored

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Low forex markup keeps your foreign expenses down

Ashva Credit Card stands apart from the rest with a low foreign exchange markup of just 1% + GST, significantly lower than 3%–3.5% offered by other cards. For frequent international business or leisure travellers, this translates to tremendous savings on foreign transactions that reduce hidden transaction charges.

Lounge and railway lounge privileges for added convenience

Ashva card offers lounge access at no cost, so your transit tension vanishes. You get four domestic airport lounge accesses and two international lounge accesses per quarter, entitling after a spend of ₹20,000 per month. It also provides you with four railway lounge accesses per quarter across certain IRCTC lounges at big stations.

Where lounge access provides real comfort, user experience shows inconsistency—some lounges refuse access even when included in policy conditions. Always cross-check beforehand.

Travel security with trip cancellation and insurance benefits

The Ashva credit card also includes Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) coverage—up to ₹25,000 per claim, twice a year—on flight and hotel bookings, subject to cancellation at least 24 hours prior to travel. All these safeguards give protection against unexpected interruptions. These benefits helps the frequent travellers in ways that may be incomparable.

It also offers robust insurance protection:

• Air accident cover of upto ₹1 crore

• ₹10 lakh personal accident cover

• Up to ₹50,000 lost card liability

• Comprehensive travel insurance up to USD 1,200High travel bookings rewards

High rewards opportunity on travel bookings is available through the card. You receive:

• 5X points for spends up to ₹20,000

• 10X points for spends above ₹20,000

• Exclusive bonus: Flight bookings accrue 30X; hotel bookings accrue 50X points on the IDFC Travel & Shop portal—possibly up to 8%–13% effective rewards value when redeemed for travel.

FAQs

Q1: Is Ashva's lounge access valid everywhere?

Not always. While the card has a generous number of visits, eligibility may vary on a particular lounge basis. Always verify access in advance.

Q2: Is the CFAR benefit always convenient?

Yes—CFAR has cancellation for any reason (within 24 hours of travel), and that means freedom of choice that one would otherwise lack with advance bookings.

Q3: Is Ashva's forex and insurance benefit sufficient to pay for the annual charge?

For frequent flyers, yes. The overall benefits—low forex fees, lounge usage, insurance coverage, and rapid rewards accrual—can easily outweigh the ₹2,999 + GST charge, provided usage is optimized.