AU Zenith Credit Card

About AU Zenith Credit Card

Are you looking for a premium credit card that matches your high-earning lifestyle without a heavy upfront cost? The AU Zenith Credit Card offers a unique entry point into the premium segment by skipping the joining fee entirely while focusing on travel and milestone rewards.

This card is designed for high-income professionals and business owners who earn at least ₹10-12 lakh annually. If you find yourself at the airport a few times every quarter, the AU Zenith provides a structured way to access luxury lounges both in India and abroad. With a potential annual saving of ₹7,334, it aims to reward consistent monthly spending rather than just one-off purchases.

Built for the established individual, this card bridges the gap between mid-range and super-premium cards. It offers a straightforward approach to rewards that are easy to track and use through the dedicated AU Rewards portal.

What sets it apart:

• Zero Joining Fee: Unlike most premium cards that charge you just to get the plastic, this card starts with ₹0 joining fees.
• International Travel Perks: You get 2 complimentary Priority Pass visits per quarter at international lounges, a feature often reserved for cards with much higher entry barriers.
• Birthday Rewards: Earn 2,500 bonus points just for making a single retail transaction on your birthday.

Quick check: To qualify for the AU Zenith, you need a minimum monthly income of ₹1,00,000 and a CRIF score of 725 or higher. Let's look at whether this card earns a permanent spot in your wallet.

Key Benefits and Features of AU Zenith Credit Card

The AU Zenith Credit Card is structured around three main pillars: lounge access, milestone rewards, and annual savings. Here is a detailed breakdown of what you get and what it costs you.

Airport Lounge Access

If you travel frequently, the lounge benefits are likely the highlight of this card. It provides a balanced mix of domestic and international access:

• Domestic Lounges: You can enjoy 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter. To stay eligible for this, you need to spend at least ₹20,000 in the previous quarter.
• International Lounges: The card includes a Priority Pass membership that grants 2 complimentary visits per quarter at participating lounges outside India. This is excellent for those who take 3-4 international trips a year.

Reward Point Structure

The reward system is built to favor consistent spenders and celebrate special occasions. Every reward point you earn is worth ₹0.25.

• Birthday Bonus: Make any retail transaction of at least ₹100 on your birthday and get 2,500 bonus reward points. That is an easy ₹625 in value just for using your card once on your special day.
• Monthly Milestone: If you spend ₹50,000 or more in a single statement cycle, you receive 1,000 bonus reward points.
• Redemption: You can redeem your points for a variety of options on the AU Rewards catalogue.

Fees and Annual Waiver

While there is no joining fee to get the card, you should be aware of the ongoing costs and how to avoid them:

• Joining Fee: ₹0 (No offset provided).
• Annual Fee: ₹7,999. This fee kicks in for the subsequent years.
• Annual Fee Waiver: The bank will waive the ₹7,999 fee if you spend more than ₹5,00,000 in the preceding year. This works out to an average monthly spend of about ₹41,700.

Eligibility Criteria

The AU Zenith is a premium offering, and its eligibility requirements reflect that status. You can apply if you meet the following conditions:

• Salaried Individuals: Must be aged between 21 and 60 years with a minimum annual income of ₹10 LPA.
• Self-Employed Individuals: Must be aged between 25 and 65 years with a minimum annual income of ₹12 LPA.
• Credit History: A CRIF score of 725 or higher is generally required for both categories.

Important Exclusions

It is vital to know where you won't earn rewards to plan your spending better. The AU Zenith does not offer reward points or count toward milestones for the following categories:

• Fuel purchases and utility bill payments.
• Rent payments and education-related spends.
• Government transactions and EMI conversions.
• Cash advances and quasi-cash transactions.

How to Apply?

The application process for the AU Zenith Credit Card is digital and relatively quick if you have your documents ready. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the official AU Small Finance Bank website and navigate to the Credit Cards section.
2. Select the AU Zenith Credit Card and click on the "Apply Now" button.
3. Enter your mobile number and PAN details to start the verification.
4. Check if you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹10 LPA (Salaried) or ₹12 LPA (Self-Employed).
5. Fill in your personal and professional details as prompted by the application form.
6. Complete the Video KYC process if requested by the bank for instant verification.
7. Wait for the bank's representative to contact you for any additional documentation or to confirm your application status.

Credit Limit: What to Expect

Credit limits are assigned based on your income, credit score, and banking relationship. Most applicants receive a credit limit between ₹2,00,000 and ₹5,00,000 based on their profile and credit history.

For a card requiring a ₹10 LPA income, the bank offers a limit that reflects your repayment capacity and existing debt-to-income ratio. Maintaining a CRIF score above 725 will help you secure a higher starting limit. You can request a limit increase after 6-12 months of disciplined usage and timely bill payments.

Comparison Table: AU Zenith vs. Competitors

When choosing a card with a ₹7,999 annual fee, it is helpful to see how it stacks up against other premium options in the Indian market.

Expert Opinion: The AU Zenith is a strong contender if you want a premium card without paying a joining fee. However, the HDFC Diners Club Privilege offers similar lounge benefits for a much lower annual fee and an easier waiver target. Choose AU Zenith if you specifically value the 2,500-point birthday bonus and the international Priority Pass access provided at this price point.

Documents Required for AU Zenith Credit Card Application

You'll need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), Rent Agreement, or Property Tax Receipt
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months' salary slips and 6 months' bank statements
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or employment letter

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving License
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Passport, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years' ITR with computation of income, 6 months' bank statements, and CA-certified financials
• Business Proof: Business registration certificate, GST registration (if applicable), or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here's who benefits most from the AU Zenith:

The Quarterly Business Traveler
If you are an IT professional or consultant earning ₹12 lakh annually and travel abroad twice a year, the AU Zenith works well. You get 8 international lounge visits a year through Priority Pass. If you spend about ₹45,000 monthly on travel and dining, you will hit the ₹5 lakh annual spend target, making the card effectively free for the next year.

The Milestone Chaser
If you consistently spend at least ₹50,000 every month on retail purchases, you get an extra 1,000 points per month. Over a year, that is 12,000 bonus points (worth ₹3,000) just for meeting that threshold. Combined with the birthday bonus, you are looking at significant points accumulation without changing your spending habits.

You might want to skip this card if:
You are a moderate spender who rarely hits the ₹50,000 monthly mark or struggles to spend ₹5 lakh annually. In this case, the ₹7,999 annual fee is quite steep. You would be better off with a card like the HDFC Diners Club Privilege, which has a lower fee and more accessible waiver conditions.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the AU Zenith excels at providing a premium international travel experience without an initial joining fee. It is quite rare to find a card that offers 2 international Priority Pass visits per quarter at this level. The birthday bonus is a nice personal touch that provides instant value.

However, the biggest limitation is the steep ₹7,999 annual fee combined with the ₹5 lakh waiver requirement. For many users, spending nearly ₹42,000 every month is a high bar, especially since common expenses like rent, utilities, and fuel are excluded from the rewards program. The exclusion list is quite long, which makes it harder to maximize the card's value on everyday essentials.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you can comfortably spend ₹5 lakh a year on retail and travel and you specifically want international lounge access. If your spending is more focused on fuel or groceries, the AU Zenith may not provide enough value to justify its high annual fee.

Terms and Conditions

• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your eligibility. Please carefully read the features of the card offered before submitting your application.
• A minimum transaction of Rs.100 within 30 days is required to activate the card, otherwise, you won’t be eligible for the Rewards.
• The complete terms and conditions are available on the bank's official website.