YES Bank Reserv Credit Card vs YES First Preferred Credit Card

Last Updated : April 9, 2025, 3:17 p.m.
When it comes to premium banking experiences, Yes Bank offers two distinctive credit card options that cater to different lifestyle needs and spending habits. The Yes Bank Reserv Credit Card and Yes First Preferred Credit Card represent different tiers in the bank's premium card portfolio, each designed with unique features to enhance the cardholder's financial journey. The Reserve Card (previously known as Yes First Exclusive) stands as the more premium offering with accelerated reward points of up to 24 points per Rs. 200 spent on online shopping and unlimited international lounge access, while the First Preferred Card provides excellent value with a lower annual fee of Rs. 999 and impressive benefits including complimentary golf privileges and bonus reward points on milestone spending. Whether you're a frequent international traveler seeking premium experiences or a value-conscious consumer looking for all-round benefits, understanding the key differences between these two cards can help you make an informed choice that aligns with your spending patterns and lifestyle preferences. Once you decide on which card you want to apply for, do a free CIBIL score check on Wishfin before you apply for the card.
Comparing the Features of the Yes Bank Reserve Credit Card and Yes First Preferred Credit Card
Feature | Yes Bank Reserv Credit Card | Yes First Preferred Credit Card |
---|---|---|
Annual Fee | Rs. 2,499 + GST | Rs. 999 + GST |
Fee Waiver |
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Welcome Benefits | NA | Get 10,000 bonus reward points on doing the first transaction within 90 days of card issuance. |
Renewal rewards | 8,000 bonus reward points on levying renewal fee without waiver | 7,500-10,000 reward points on renewal |
Reward Rate (Online) | 24 reward points per Rs. 200 spent | 8 reward points per Rs. 200 spent |
Reward Rate (Offline) | 12 reward points per Rs. 200 spent | 4 reward points per Rs. 200 spent |
Reward Rate (Utilities) | 6 reward points per Rs. 200 spent | 4 reward points per Rs. 200 spent on select categories |
Monthly Rewards Cap | 36,000 reward points | NA |
Milestone Benefits | NA | 20,000 bonus reward points on spending Rs. 7.5 lakh in an anniversary year |
Domestic Lounge Access | Unlimited access | 2 complimentary visits per quarter |
International Lounge Access | Unlimited access with Priority Pass | 4 complimentary visits per year with Priority Pass |
Movie Benefits | Redeem reward points on Yes Bank’s rewards website. | 25% discount on BookMyShow |
Golf Benefits |
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Insurance coverage | Purchase protection for electronics | Rs. 1 crore for flight accidents, Rs. 25 lakhs for emergency hospitalization abroad |
Reward Redemption | Air miles, hotel/flight bookings, merchandise | Air miles, hotel/flight bookings, merchandise |
Minimum Income Requirement | Net salary: Rs. 2 lakh per month. Income Tax Returns: INR 18 lakhs or more | Net salary Rs. 2 lakh per month or ITR > Rs. 24 lakh p.a. |
Target Audience | Premium customers, frequent travelers, online shoppers | Entry-level premium customers, reward point enthusiasts |
Key Differences
Fees and Rewards Structure
The Yes Bank Reserv Credit Card comes with a higher annual fee (Rs. 2,499 + GST) compared to the Yes First Preferred Credit Card (Rs. 999 + GST). However, the Reserv card offers significantly higher reward rates, especially for online shopping (24 points vs 8 points per Rs. 200).
Lounge Access Benefits
The Reserv Credit Card provides unlimited domestic and international lounge access, making it ideal for frequent travelers. On the other hand, the First Preferred Credit Card offers a lesser number of lounge visits with 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 4 international lounge visits annually.
Welcome and Milestone Benefits
The First Preferred Credit Card has clearly defined welcome benefits (10,000-15,000 bonus reward points) and milestone benefits (20,000 bonus points on spending Rs. 7.5 lakh annually), which aren't as prominently featured for the Reserv card in current offerings.
Insurance Coverage
While both cards offer insurance benefits, the First Preferred Credit Card provides more comprehensive coverage, including Rs. 1 crore for flight accidents and Rs. 25 lakhs for emergency hospitalization abroad. The Reserv Card focuses more on purchase protection for electronics.
Which Card Should You Choose?
Choose the Yes Bank Reserv Credit Card if:
- You frequently shop online and want to maximize reward points
- You travel often and need unlimited airport lounge access
- You're ready to pay a higher annual fee for luxury benefits
- You make significant online purchases and want higher rewards
Choose the Yes First Preferred Credit Card if:
- You want a lower annual fee with good rewards
- You're looking for well-defined milestone and welcome benefits
- You need comprehensive travel insurance coverage
- You use your card moderately but still want premium benefits
- You're interested in golf benefits and specific lifestyle perks
Conclusion
Both cards offer compelling benefits but cater to slightly different customer segments. The Yes Bank Reserv Credit Card is positioned as a more premium offering with higher rewards for online spending and better lounge benefits, while the Yes First Preferred Credit Card provides excellent value with a lower fee structure and well-defined milestone benefits.
Note: According to the bank website, the Yes First Preferred Credit Card is no longer issued to new customers. For existing cardholders, new cards will be issued on card expiry. For latest updates, check with the website of the bank or contact the customer care of the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)