AU Zenith Plus Credit Card

About AU Zenith Plus Credit Card

Are you getting the VIP treatment your high income deserves, or is your current card just another piece of plastic? The AU Zenith Plus Credit Card is designed to change that narrative for high earners.

This card offers a massive value proposition for those earning over ₹30 lakh annually. With a 0.99% forex markup and a welcome benefit that effectively wipes out your joining fee, it is built for the global traveler. If you spend ₹8 lakh in a year, you skip the annual fee entirely, making this premium lifestyle almost free to maintain.

Targeted specifically at corporate leaders and successful business owners, this card fits perfectly in the wallet of someone who spends at least ₹50,000 to ₹70,000 monthly on travel, dining, and international brands. It is for the professional who appreciates a Taj stay and values their time at the airport.

What sets it apart:

• → Luxury Welcome: Get ₹5,000 worth of luxury vouchers or reward points just for activating your card.
• → Elite Airport Access: 16 domestic and 16 international lounge visits annually, which is significantly higher than most cards in this price bracket.
• → Global Savings: A low 0.99% forex markup fee, whereas most premium cards still charge 2% to 3.5%.

Quick eligibility check: To qualify for this card, you need a minimum annual income of ₹30 LPA and a CRIF score of 725 or above. You must be between 21 and 60 years old if you are salaried, or up to 65 if you are self-employed.

Let's break down why this card stands out in the crowded premium segment:

Key Benefits & Features of AU Zenith Plus Credit Card

The AU Zenith Plus is packed with features that cater to luxury travel and high-end dining. Here is a detailed look at how you can maximize these benefits:

Welcome and Milestone Benefits

When you join the AU Zenith Plus family, the bank ensures you feel the premium touch immediately. By paying the joining fee of ₹4,999 and activating your card with a minimum transaction of ₹100 within the first 30 days, you receive luxury brand vouchers or reward points worth ₹5,000. This effectively makes the first year's membership cost neutral. Additionally, if you manage to spend ₹8 lakh within your anniversary year, the bank will waive the annual fee of ₹4,999 for the next year.

Superior Travel and Airport Perks

For the frequent flyer, the lounge access and airport services on this card are hard to beat. You get 16 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits and 16 international lounge visits through the Priority Pass program. Note that international visits are capped at 4 per calendar quarter. This is ideal for someone taking 3-4 international trips a year.

Beyond lounges, the card offers 4 complimentary VIP Airport Check-ins per year (one per quarter). This "Meet & Greet" service at Indian airports for international flights ensures you bypass the usual airport chaos, providing a smooth transition from the terminal to the aircraft.

Reward Points and Forex Savings

The reward structure is simple: 1 Reward Point equals ₹1. You earn 2 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on dining, travel, and international transactions. This translates to a straight 2% value back on these categories. For a traveler spending ₹2 lakh on an international holiday, the 0.99% forex markup is a massive win. While other cards might eat up your rewards with high conversion fees, this card lets you keep more of your money.

Elite Dining with Taj Epicure

Food connoisseurs get access to the Taj Epicure Membership. This provides a 25% discount on food and beverages for dine-in and take-away at participating Taj hotels. You also get 20% off via the Qmin app, 20% off on Spa and Salon services, and 20% off on banquet spends. If you host business dinners or family gatherings at premium venues, this single benefit can save you thousands of rupees every year.

Insurance and Protection

Peace of mind is part of the package. The card includes an Air Accident Cover of up to ₹2 Crore. If you lose your card or face fraudulent transactions, the Card Liability Cover and Credit Shield protect you up to ₹15 Lakhs. There is also travel-related insurance covering baggage delays, flight delays, loss of passport, and even hijack situations, which are essential for frequent international travelers.

Fuel and Other Exclusions

While the card is a powerhouse for lifestyle spends, it is important to note the exclusions. You do not earn reward points on fuel, rent, EMI transactions, education, or government payments. However, you do get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver for transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000, capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle.

How to Apply for AU Zenith Plus Credit Card

The application process is straightforward. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Visit the official AU Small Finance Bank website and navigate to the Credit Cards section.
2. Select the AU Zenith Plus Credit Card and click on 'Apply Now'.
3. Enter your mobile number and PAN details to initiate the eligibility check.
4. Ensure you meet the minimum income requirement of ₹30 LPA before proceeding.
5. Fill in your professional details, including your employment type (Salaried or Self-Employed).
6. Complete the digital KYC process, which usually involves a video call with a bank representative.
7. Submit the required documents digitally for verification.

Applications typically process within 7 to 10 working days, subject to your location and successful verification of your documents.

Credit Limit & What to Expect

Credit limits for the AU Zenith Plus Credit Card are assigned based on your income, credit score, and existing banking relationship. Given the high entry barrier of ₹30 LPA, you can generally expect a premium credit limit that supports high-value travel and lifestyle purchases. Most eligible applicants receive a starting credit limit between ₹5 Lakh and ₹10 Lakh, directly correlated to their income profile.

Comparison Table: AU Zenith Plus vs. Competitors

To understand the value of this card, we have compared it with other premium cards that cater to high-income individuals in India.

The AU Zenith Plus holds its own by offering the lowest annual fee in this group while providing a highly competitive 0.99% forex markup. While cards like HDFC Diners Club Black offer unlimited lounge access, the AU Zenith Plus provides a higher reward-to-rupee value (1:1) without the complexity of conversion ratios for its primary categories.

Documents Required for AU Zenith Plus 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 showing salary credit
• Employment Proof: Office ID card or official 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, or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification to confirm your ₹30 LPA income status.

Who Should Get This Card?

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

The Global Business Traveler: You are a senior manager or consultant earning ₹35 lakh annually. You travel to London or Dubai twice a year and spend roughly ₹3 lakh on international hotels and dining. Between the 0.99% forex markup and the 16 international lounge visits, you are saving nearly ₹10,000 just on fees and airport food, plus earning ₹6,000 in points. The VIP check-in service makes your hectic travel schedule much more manageable.

The Premium Lifestyle Enthusiast: You love dining at the Taj and often host family events. If your annual dining spend at luxury hotels is ₹1 lakh, the Taj Epicure membership saves you ₹25,000 instantly. Combined with the 2% reward rate on dining, this card pays for itself several times over within the first few months.

The Practical High-Spender: You spend about ₹70,000 monthly on various lifestyle needs. Since you naturally hit the ₹8 lakh annual spend mark, the card becomes free for you from the second year onwards. You want a high-status card with premium insurance covers but don't want to pay the ₹10,000+ fees associated with other "Super Premium" cards.

You might want to skip this card if: Your income is below ₹30 LPA or if you primarily spend on rent, utilities, and fuel, as these categories won't earn you any rewards. If you want unlimited lounge access without any quarterly caps, a card with a higher annual fee might serve you better.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card's features, the AU Zenith Plus excels at bridging the gap between "Premium" and "Super Premium" cards. Most banks charge ₹10,000 or more for the kind of VIP airport services and luxury hotel memberships provided here for just ₹4,999.

The biggest limitation is the quarterly capping on international lounge visits and the strict income eligibility of ₹30 LPA. While 16 visits a year is generous, the 4-per-quarter limit might frustrate someone who takes a single long multi-city international trip. Additionally, the lack of rewards on utility and rent payments means this shouldn't be your only card for daily household chores.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you want a luxury experience without the "luxury tax" of a massive annual fee. The 0.99% forex fee is the real star here, making it one of the most efficient cards for international spending in India today. It offers a clean 1:1 reward redemption, which is a breath of fresh air compared to cards that use complicated "points-to-miles" conversion math.

Terms and Conditions

Please take note of these specific conditions for the AU Zenith Plus Credit Card:

• 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 ₹100 within 30 days of card issuance is required to activate the card. If you fail to do this, you will not be eligible for the Welcome Reward points or luxury vouchers.
• Reward points are not earned on cash transactions, fuel spends, EMI conversions, rent payments, educational spends, or government payments.
• Lounge access for domestic usage is complimentary, but international usage via Priority Pass within India is chargeable.
• Refer to the official AU Small Finance Bank website for the complete and most current list of terms and conditions.