YES Bank
YES BANK FIRST is YES BANK's entry-level credit card designed to bring credit card benefits to first-time users and budget-conscious Indians who want the convenience and security of credit without paying annual fees. With zero annual fee, zero joining fee, and a minimum income requirement of just ₹1 lakh per annum (₹8,333 per month), the card is one of the most accessible credit cards in India for first-time applicants. The card earns 0.5% value back on all spends without any category restrictions, caps, or conditions. While this is modest compared to premium cards, it is still meaningful on high monthly spends — on ₹30,000 of monthly spending, the 0.5% return generates ₹150 per month or ₹1,800 per year, earned entirely passively without any category management. The card operates on the Visa network, ensuring wide acceptance at over 40 million merchant outlets across India, from large retail chains and supermarkets to small neighbourhood stores and local restaurants. Contactless payment capability up to ₹20,000 per transaction enables quick, secure in-person payments at merchant outlets. EMI conversion on purchases above ₹2,500 provides access to affordable credit for large purchases, allowing cardholders to convert big-ticket buys into manageable monthly instalments at competitive interest rates starting from 1.5% per month. The YES BANK FIRST card is particularly suitable for students, first-time jobbers, and individuals in Tier 2-3 cities who are establishing their credit history. Consistent usage and timely payments on this card can help build a positive credit score, unlocking access to premium credit cards and better loan terms in the future. Source: YES BANK official website, updated May 2026.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | Free |
| Annual Fee | Free |
| Reward Rate | [object Object]% |
| Cashback Rate | 0% |
| Lounge Access | Yes |
The YES BANK FIRST from YES Bank is a lifetime-free credit card aimed at Indian consumers who want a clear rewards-plus-lifestyle proposition without paying for an invite-only metal card.
Who should consider the YES BANK FIRST
Pick the YES BANK FIRST if you are a salaried professional earning ₹8 LPA or more, or a self-employed applicant with a stable ITR history of two years or longer, and you typically spend ₹40,000–₹80,000 a month on retail purchases. The card's reward structure works best when the majority of your monthly swipe volume is concentrated in accelerated categories such as dining, groceries, fuel, or travel booked through the issuer's portal. Frequent flyers who already pay for at least four domestic lounge visits a year will get the most out of the included lounge access, while shoppers who use UPI for most transactions should be aware that most banks still cap reward points on UPI spends at a lower rate.
Who should look elsewhere
If you are an early-career professional with under ₹5 LPA in declared income, prefer a lifetime-free starter card (such as an entry-level RuPay variant) and revisit the YES BANK FIRST after one full financial year of stable income. Travellers who redeem most of their points for international flights will likely find a dedicated travel card with milestone-based foreign-currency benefits more rewarding. Finally, if you regularly carry a balance from month to month, the YES BANK FIRST (and credit cards in general) are an expensive borrowing tool at industry-standard 36–42% annualised interest — a small personal loan is almost always cheaper for sustained debt.
How we picked it for our shortlist
Our editorial team only considers cards whose issuers are RBI-licensed and publish their schedule of charges in the public domain. We score the YES BANK FIRST on five axes — annual fee versus benefits, reward rate, lounge and travel benefits, customer service responsiveness, and digital experience (mobile app, controls, instant card freeze). When the issuer changes pricing, we re-test the card and update this page within seven working days. The full methodology lives in our editorial policy.
Bottom line
The YES BANK FIRST is a sensible mid-tier rewards card for someone who pays their statement in full every month and uses the welcome benefit, lounge access, and accelerated rewards with intention. If your spending profile does not match the card's reward map, a more focused card will always deliver better net value.
| Feature | YES BANK FIRSTYES Bank | American Express Membership RewardsAmerican Express | Axis Bank AtlasAxis Bank | HDFC Bank Diners Club BlackHDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | YES Bank | American Express | Axis Bank | HDFC Bank |
| Joining Fee | Free | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Annual Fee | Free | ₹4,500 | ₹5,000 | ₹10,000 |
| Interest Rate | — | — | — | — |
| Reward Rate | [object Object]% | [object Object]% | [object Object]% | [object Object]% |
| Lounge Access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Rating | — | — | — | — |
Have these ready before you start the online application. Most issuers verify digitally through CKYC and video-KYC, so physical copies are rarely needed.
Review the eligibility criteria above and ensure you meet the income and credit score requirements.
Click "Apply Now" and fill in your personal, income, and KYC details online.
The bank reviews your application and approves within 2–5 working days. Card arrives in 3–7 days.
If you spend ₹50,000/month on this card, EMI for ₹60,000 over 12 months ≈ ₹6,027.73/month at 36% p.a.
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