The AU Zenith Credit Card sits at the top of AU Small Finance Bank’s card range. It is built for people who travel and dine out often: you get up to 5 reward points per ₹100 on dining, international, grocery and departmental store spends, a low 1.99% cross-currency markup, and lounge visits at domestic airports, international airports (via Priority Pass) and railway stations.
How the rewards work
| Where you spend | What you earn |
|---|---|
| Dining (standalone restaurants), international spends, grocery, departmental stores | 5 points per ₹100 |
| Other retail spends | 3 points per ₹100 |
| Insurance, utility and telecom | 1 point per ₹100 |
| Monthly bonus: ₹50,000+ retail spend in a statement cycle | 1,000 bonus points |
| Birthday month: one retail transaction | 2,500 bonus points |
Good to know: the offer does not state the rupee value of a Zenith reward point, so check the redemption catalogue before you compare it with cashback cards.
Travel benefits
| Domestic airport lounges | 2 visits a quarter, after ₹20,000 spend in the quarter |
|---|---|
| International lounges (Priority Pass) | 2 visits a quarter |
| Railway lounges | 2 visits a quarter at select stations |
| Forex markup | 1.99% on international transactions |
That adds up to as many as 24 lounge visits a year across the three types, which is generous for a card in this fee range. The 1.99% markup is also roughly half what many standard cards charge, so foreign spends both earn the top 5-point rate and cost less in fees.
Is the fee worth it?
The first-year fee is waived if you spend ₹1,25,000 in the first 90 days, which suits someone with a big trip or purchase coming up. From the second year you need ₹5 lakh a year, about ₹42,000 a month, to skip the renewal fee. If you spend at that level, you will also earn the 1,000-point monthly bonus in the months you cross ₹50,000. Below roughly ₹30,000 a month, the fee is hard to justify on rewards alone, and the case rests on how many lounge visits you actually use.
Fees and charges
| Joining fee | ₹7,999 + GST |
|---|---|
| First-year waiver | Spend ₹1,25,000 within the first 90 days |
| Annual fee | ₹7,999 + GST |
| Renewal waiver | Spend ₹5,00,000 or more in the year |
| Fuel surcharge | 1% waiver on ₹400–₹5,000 transactions, up to ₹250 a month |
Eligibility
| Age | 21 to 65 years |
|---|---|
| Employment | Salaried or self-employed |
| Credit score | 750 or above |
| First credit card? | Not allowed |
Documents you will need
- Identity: PAN card (or Form 60)
- Address: Aadhaar, passport or a recent utility bill
- Income: latest salary slips or bank statements
- Photo: a recent passport-size photograph
How to apply
- Tap Apply on AU Bank site on this page to open AU Small Finance Bank’s card application.
- Fill in the form in one session using your Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
- Complete video KYC from your current address.
- Activate the card with a first transaction of ₹100 or more within 30 days.
Who should get it, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you travel abroad at least once or twice a year, use airport and railway lounges, and can put ₹5 lakh a year on the card so the fee is waived. Heavy spenders also collect the 1,000-point monthly bonus.
Skip it if your yearly spend is well below ₹5 lakh. Without the waiver the ₹7,999 + GST fee is hard to earn back, and a mid-range card will serve you better.
