The verdict
The best entry-level travel and credit builder card in India. Combining 0.99% forex markup and airport/railway lounge access with an FD-backed guarantee and zero annual fees makes it an unbeatable starter card.
Spending ₹30,000/month (₹15,000 overseas travel/e-commerce + ₹15,000 retail) saves ₹4,500/year in forex charges (0.99% vs standard 3.50%) and earns 600 points/month (₹150/month or ₹1,800/year in points) + 2,000 quarterly milestone points (₹500/year). Adding 4 domestic airport lounge visits (~₹4,000 value) and 4 railway lounge visits (~₹2,000) delivers over ₹12,800 in net annual value against a one-time ₹199 fee.
Spenders with established CIBIL scores and high incomes who want unsecured high credit limits will prefer cards like AU Zenith Plus or IDFC FIRST Wealth.
✓What works
- +100% approval backed by AU Fixed Deposit with no income proof, ITR, or CIBIL check required.
- +Industry-leading low 0.99% foreign currency markup on all international spends and foreign websites.
- +Zero annual renewal fee forever (only a one-time ₹199 setup charge).
- +8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year (2 visits/quarter upon ₹50,000 spend).
- +8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (2 visits/quarter) for primary and add-on cardholders.
- +Fixed deposit continues to earn high interest rates (up to 0.50% extra for senior citizens).
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 (up to ₹100 per statement cycle).
- +Up to ₹5,000 contactless tap-and-pay transactions without PIN.
✕What doesn't
- −Requires opening a Fixed Deposit with AU Small Finance Bank.
- −Airport lounge access requires ₹50,000 quarterly spend threshold.
- −One-time ₹199 + GST joining fee.
What it earns
1 Reward Point = ₹0.25. Points redeemable on AU Rewardz for vouchers, recharges, and travel.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Retail Spends | 0.50% (2 Points / ₹100) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (₹500 value) |
| Utility Bills & Insurance Spends | 0.25% (1 Point / ₹100) | Uncapped | 1,000 Points (₹250 value) |
| Foreign Currency Spends (Low 0.99% Forex) | 0.50% (2 Points / ₹100) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (₹500 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
0.99% Forex Markup + Milestone Points
Save 2.5% on overseas markup fees and earn 500 bonus points on quarterly spends.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| International TransactionsSave 2.5% on cross-border fees compared to traditional credit cards. | — · 0.99% Forex | Uncapped | — |
| Quarterly Milestone SpendsEarn 500 bonus points on ₹25,000 spend, doubled to 1,000 points on ₹50,000 spend. | — · 500 Points | Quarterly Cap | — |
Redemption options
Redeem accumulated points on AU Rewardz portal for brand vouchers, travel, or mobile recharges at 1 Point = ₹0.25.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brand Gift Cards & Vouchers (AU Rewardz)BEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| Flight & Hotel BookingsBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| Mobile & DTH RechargesBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 200 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +International online shopping, overseas POS swipes, and travel reservations.
- +8 domestic airport lounges and 8 railway lounges across India.
- +Fuel surcharge waiver at all petrol stations across India.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −ATM cash withdrawals and digital wallet loads.
- −Delinquent or disputed transactions.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹199 + GST (One-time setup fee) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹0 (Zero Annual Fee) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 0.99% + GST (Ultra-Low) |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400 to ₹5,000 transactions (Max ₹100/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Requirement | Primary Cardholder (18 to 99 years), Resident Indian |
| Minimum Fixed Deposit | ₹10,000+ Fixed Deposit with AU Small Finance Bank |
| Income / Credit Check | Zero income proof or credit score required (100% Guaranteed Approval) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does AU NOMO Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for AU NOMO Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on AU NOMO Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on AU NOMO Credit Card?
Who is AU NOMO Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: AU NOMO Credit Card
The AU NOMO Credit Card is a secured, fixed-deposit-backed credit card issued by AU Small Finance Bank, tailored for credit score builders, international students, freelancers, and global travelers. Issued with a nominal one-time joining fee of ₹199 + GST and completely free of annual renewal charges from the second year onwards, the card is secured against an AU Bank Fixed Deposit with 100% guaranteed approval and zero income verification.
Its standout feature is an ultra-low foreign currency markup of just 0.99% + GST, positioning it among the most economical cards in India for overseas transactions and foreign currency e-commerce. Combined with dual travel benefits—providing 8 domestic airport lounges per year (gated by spend) alongside 8 railway executive lounges—NOMO empowers credit builders to access premium travel privileges while their underlying deposit continues to compound bank interest.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Guaranteed 100% FD-Backed Approval: Instant issuance against an AU Bank Fixed Deposit with no income documentation, salary slips, or prior credit score (CIBIL) verification required.
- Industry-Leading 0.99% Forex Markup: Ultra-low foreign exchange markup of just 0.99% + GST on international retail purchases and cross-border online payments, saving up to 2.5% compared to standard cards.
- Comprehensive Travel Lounge Privileges:
- Domestic Airport Lounges: 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (up to 8 visits annually) upon achieving the preceding-quarter spend threshold.
- Railway Executive Lounges: 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (up to 8 visits annually) across Indian Railways junctions.
- Interest-Earning Underlying Security: Your pledged Fixed Deposit continues to earn guaranteed, compounding fixed deposit interest throughout the tenure of the card.
- Monthly Spend Milestone (500 Points): Earn 500 bonus reward points upon spending ₹25,000 or more in eligible retail transactions within a single calendar month.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Lien on Fixed Deposit: The pledged fixed deposit remains under active bank lien and cannot be liquidated or prematurely closed until the credit card account is fully settled and closed.
- Spend-Gated Airport Lounge Access: Airport lounge privileges require clearing a domestic retail spend threshold of ₹50,000 in the previous calendar quarter.
- Credit Limit Peg: The credit card limit is established typically at 80% to 90% of the pledged fixed deposit principal value.
- One-Time Joining Fee: A modest joining fee of ₹199 + GST is billed on the first statement; annual renewal fees are ₹0 (Lifetime Free) from Year 2 onwards.
- Default Recovery Terms: In the event of persistent default beyond the grace period, the bank retains legal rights to liquidate the underlying fixed deposit to recover unpaid balances.
Who Benefits Most
- Credit Builders & Repairers: First-time borrowers, students, and freelancers looking to establish or rebuild a pristine CIBIL score with 100% approval.
- Budget International Travelers & Students: Overseas students and international travelers who require a dependable 0.99% forex markup card with minimal entry barriers.
- Rail and Domestic Air Passengers: Commuters who make active use of 8 railway executive lounges and 8 domestic airport lounges across India.
- Disciplined Savers: Individuals who want to keep their emergency savings earning compounding fixed deposit interest while utilizing a daily credit line.
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).