AU Bank Zenith Credit Card
The AU Bank Zenith Credit Card is a premium card with an annual fee of Rs. 7,999. It offers several high-end benefits like milestone rewards, free access to domestic and international airport lounges, travel insurance, and a lower foreign currency markup. The card is designed for those who want extra perks while spending on travel, dining, and shopping.
When it comes to rewards, it gives 1.25% back on regular spending and higher rates on specific categories—4X on dining at standalone restaurants, 2X on groceries and departmental stores, and 2X on international transactions. While it lacks golf and movie privileges, it still stands strong against competitors like HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emerald, SBI Aurum, and Axis Bank Magnus, which have slightly higher fees.
Rewards and Benefits
Fees & Charges
What should you consider before applying for a credit card in India?
Key Considerations Before Applying for a Credit Card in India:
- Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, which typically include age, income, credit score, and employment status as defined by the issuing bank or financial institution.
- Credit Score: A strong credit score can significantly improve your chances of approval and result in more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates or higher credit limits. Verify that your credit score is healthy before applying.
- Interest Rates and Fees: Compare the annual percentage rates (APR), processing fees, late payment penalties, and foreign transaction charges associated with various cards. These costs can vary widely and impact the overall value of the card.
- Rewards and Benefits: Evaluate the rewards, cashback, discounts, or other perks offered by the card to ensure they align with your spending patterns. Some cards may provide better benefits in specific categories, such as travel, shopping, or dining.
- Credit Limit: Review the credit limit offered by the card to ensure it meets your financial needs. Avoid applying for cards with excessive limits if you are concerned about managing debt, as this can lead to higher interest charges.
- Repayment Terms: Understand the repayment structure, including the minimum payment amount, payment due dates, and any associated penalties. Being clear about these terms can help you manage payments effectively and avoid interest buildup.
- Card Type and Features: Choose a card type that matches your specific needs—whether standard, premium, or specialized cards like those offering travel rewards or dining privileges. Ensure the features of the card align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
- Bank’s Reputation: Opt for a financial institution with a proven reputation for customer service and transparency. Consider researching customer reviews and assessing their support channels to ensure reliable service.
- Hidden Charges: Be aware of any hidden fees, including annual fees, balance transfer charges, foreign transaction fees, or cash withdrawal charges. These can add up over time and affect the overall cost-effectiveness of the card.
- Credit Utilization: Maintain a balance within your credit limit to avoid high credit utilization ratios, which can negatively impact your credit score. Responsible use of credit is essential for maintaining financial health.
- Long-Term Financial Plans: Consider how the credit card fits into your overall financial strategy. Avoid accumulating unnecessary debt and choose a card that supports your long-term financial goals without adding financial strain.
AU Bank Zenith Credit Card – Rewards, Benefits and Features
The AU Bank Zenith Credit Card is a premium lifestyle card for frequent travellers, diners and shoppers. It combines strong reward rates, welcome and milestone benefits, travel privileges and concierge services to deliver value to high-spend customers.
Welcome & Milestone Benefits
Start earning from day one with attractive welcome and milestone rewards:
- Shopping vouchers worth ₹1,000 after your first POS transaction within 60 days of card issuance.
- 10,000 bonus Reward Points on spending ₹1 lakh within 60 days of activation.
- Quarterly shopping vouchers worth ₹1,000 on achieving ₹2 lakh in retail spends.
- Complimentary Taj Epicure membership on annual retail spends of ₹8 lakh.
- Birthday reward of 2,500 bonus Reward Points when you make a retail purchase on your birthday.
Rewards Program
The card uses a tiered reward structure that favours dining, international and grocery spends:
- Dining: 20 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent at standalone restaurants (max 5,000 points per statement cycle).
- International & Grocery: 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on international purchases and at departmental and grocery stores.
- Other Retail: 5 Reward Points per ₹100 on other online and offline retail transactions (fuel excluded).
- Bills: 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on utility, insurance and telecom payments (transaction capped at ₹10,000; max 100 points per transaction).
- No Reward Points for fuel, rent, education and government payments.
- Maximum Reward Points per statement cycle: 25,000.
Reward Redemption
Redeem points via the AU Rewardz portal. Options include:
- E-vouchers from leading brands
- Flight and hotel bookings
- Mobile and DTH recharges
- Merchandise
Value: 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25.
Annual Fee & Waiver
The card carries a joining fee of ₹7,999. Fee waivers are available as follows:
- Joining fee waived on spends of ₹1.25 lakh within 90 days of activation.
- Annual fee waived if total spends in the previous year exceed ₹5 lakh.
Travel Benefits
Key travel perks designed for frequent travellers:
- Redeem Reward Points for flights and hotels on AU Rewardz.
- Two complimentary domestic lounge visits every quarter after spending ₹20,000 in that quarter (activated two days after meeting the spend requirement).
- Complimentary Priority Pass membership and two international lounge visits per quarter.
- Quarterly IRCTC railway lounge access at select stations (New Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Agra, Kolkata Sealdah, Madurai) for primary and add-on cardholders.
Insurance & Concierge Services
The card includes useful insurance covers and 24x7 concierge support.
| Coverage Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Air accident | ₹2 Crore |
| Credit shield | ₹5 Lakh |
| Purchase protection | ₹50,000 |
Additional travel covers include baggage loss, flight delay, passport loss and baggage delay. For insurance claims, contact AU Bank Customer Care at 1800 1200 1500.
For concierge services (bookings, dining, golf, travel assistance), call 1800 210 0298 (toll-free) or 022 42320298.
Foreign Currency Mark-Up Fee
The card charges a low foreign currency mark-up fee of 1.99%, lower than the industry average, making it a good option for international transactions.
Eligibility for AU Bank Zenith Credit Card
- Age for primary cardholder: 21 to 60 years.
- Applicant must be a resident of India.
- Add-on cardholders must be 18 years or older.
Is this card enabled for contactless payments?
Yes, you can use the AU Bank Zenith Credit Card for secure and contactless payments by simply tapping it at supported POS terminals. No PIN is required for transactions up to ₹5,000.
What is the time during which no interest is charged on this card?
The card offers an interest-free period of up to 50 days, depending on the billing cycle and transaction date.
How can I claim the insurance benefits associated with this card?
To get help with your insurance benefits and claims, just call AU Bank customer care at 180012001500.
Where can I send queries related to the AU Bank Zenith Credit Card?
For any concerns or questions, you can email creditcard.priority@aubank.in.
What finance charges apply to this credit card?
If you carry a balance or use revolving credit, a finance charge of 3.59% per month (equivalent to 43.08% annually) is applicable.
What is the step-by-step process to apply for the AU Bank Zenith Credit Card?
You can apply online by clicking the "Apply Now" button and submitting the required documents, such as proof of address and income. Follow the instructions to complete the process.
Is railway lounge access included with this card?
Yes, the card provides 2 complimentary IRCTC railway lounge visits every quarter.
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