The verdict
A formidable luxury travel contender against HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus. With an ultra-low 0.99% forex markup, Taj Epicure privileges, and 32 airport lounge visits balancing out the ₹4,999 fee before GST through a ₹5,000 welcome voucher, it offers unbeatable first-year value.
On ₹3.5 Lakh in foreign currency purchases, the markup difference between 3.50% and 0.99% is about ₹10,366 including 18% GST. ₹8 Lakh eligible annual spend can waive the renewal fee. Taj Epicure requires ₹12 Lakh net retail spend in the card anniversary year and is not included in this ₹8 Lakh scenario.
For cardholders who do not travel abroad or stay at Taj properties, locking ₹4,999 into a niche luxury product without utilizing the 0.99% forex markup is less optimal than high flat-rate domestic cashback cards.
✓What works
- +Industry-leading low forex markup of only 0.99% on all international foreign currency spends.
- +32 complimentary airport lounge visits per year (16 domestic + 16 international via Priority Pass).
- +Taj Epicure membership after ₹12 Lakh net retail spend in a card anniversary year.
- +Choice of ₹5,000 brand voucher or 5,000 reward points as a welcome benefit (partly offsets the joining fee after GST).
- +Premium metal card body with dedicated 24x7 Global Concierge and VIP airport Meet & Assist.
- +4 complimentary golf games or golf lessons per calendar year.
- +Full annual fee waiver upon spending ₹8,00,000 in a card anniversary year.
✕What doesn't
- −Base reward rate on domestic non-travel retail is 0.50% (1 point per ₹100 at 1 pt = ₹0.50).
- −High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.
- −Point valuation relies on flight/hotel bookings or brand vouchers on AU Rewardz.
What it earns
1 Reward Point = ₹0.50 when redeemed for flights, hotels, or luxury brand vouchers on AU portal.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining, Travel & International Spends | 1.0% (2 Points / ₹100) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (₹1,000 value) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 0.50% (1 Point / ₹100) | Uncapped | 1,000 Points (₹500 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
2 Points per ₹100 on Dining, Travel & International
Earn 1.0% effective return with 0.99% low forex on cross-border transactions.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Spends2 points per ₹100 on all foreign currency merchant transactions. | 2× · 1.0% | Uncapped | — |
| Dining & Travel Bookings2 points per ₹100 on airline tickets, luxury hotels, and dining. | 2× · 1.0% | Uncapped | — |
Redemption options
Redeem accumulated reward points on AU Rewardz portal at 1 Point = ₹0.50 for flights and hotels.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight & Hotel BookingsBEST VALUE | ₹0.50 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
| Luxury Brand VouchersBEST VALUE | ₹0.50 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
| Statement Cash Credit | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +International cross-border retail, hotel reservations, and airline tickets.
- +Fine dining restaurants, luxury hospitality, and golf club bookings.
- +32 complimentary airport lounge visits (16 domestic + 16 international).
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Fuel transactions (eligible for 1% surcharge waiver up to ₹1,000/cycle).
- −Cash advance withdrawals and digital wallet loads.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹4,999 + GST (Includes ₹5,000 Welcome Voucher) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹4,999 + GST (Waived on ₹8,00,000 annual spend) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 2.99% per month (35.88% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 0.99% + GST (Ultra-Low) |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400 to ₹5,000 transactions (Max ₹1,000/cycle) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Requirement | Salaried (21 to 60 years), Self-Employed (25 to 65 years) |
| Minimum Monthly Net Income | ₹2,50,000+ per month (Salaried) or ₹30L+ ITR (Self-Employed) |
| Credit Score (CIBIL) | 760+ recommended for metal tier issuance |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between AU Zenith and AU Zenith Plus?
How does the 0.99% forex markup on AU Zenith Plus save money?
What are the airport lounge access rules on AU Zenith Plus?
What are the Taj Epicure membership benefits on AU Zenith Plus?
How can I waive the annual renewal fee on AU Zenith Plus?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: AU Zenith Plus Credit Card
The AU Zenith Plus Credit Card is AU Small Finance Bank’s active flagship ultra-luxury metal credit card, directly competing against premier heavyweights like HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus. Crafted in a sleek, weighted metal form factor and issued across Visa and RuPay networks with an annual membership fee of ₹4,999 + GST, the card offers an annual renewal fee waiver upon reaching ₹8,00,000 in eligible retail spends during the previous card anniversary year.
Its headline value proposition combines an industry-leading 0.99% foreign exchange markup fee with an extraordinary lounge portfolio delivering 32 complimentary airport lounge visits annually (16 domestic and 16 international via Priority Pass). Cardholders unlocking ₹12,00,000 in net retail spend in an anniversary year receive an exclusive Taj Epicure luxury hospitality membership, while enjoying ₹5,000 in welcome gifts, complimentary golf games, and ₹2 Crores in air accident coverage.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Ultra-Luxury Metal Hardware with 0.99% Forex: Distinctive precision-crafted metal card form factor featuring an industry-low 0.99% + GST foreign currency markup fee on all overseas shopping, dining, and cross-border transactions.
- Industry-Leading Global Lounge Privileges (32 Visits):
- Domestic Airport Lounges: 4 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (up to 16 visits annually) across domestic airport terminals.
- International Airport Lounges: 4 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (up to 16 visits annually) worldwide via complimentary Priority Pass membership.
- Railway Executive Lounges: 2 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (up to 8 visits annually) across Indian Railways junctions.
- Taj Epicure Luxury Hospitality Membership: Attain complimentary Taj Epicure membership upon achieving ₹12,00,000 in net retail spending within a card anniversary year, unlocking hotel room upgrades, dining discounts, and spa vouchers.
- Welcome & Milestone Luxury Package: Receive a ₹5,000 brand voucher or 5,000 reward points upon payment of the joining fee, alongside quarterly milestone golf access.
- Dining & Travel Rewards: Earn 2 reward points per ₹100 spent (1.0% value at 1 point = ₹0.50 on AU Rewardz) on dining and travel bookings, and 1 point per ₹100 on general retail.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Taj Epicure Spend Milestone: Taj Epicure membership is strictly spend-gated and awarded only after completing ₹12,00,000 in net retail transactions within the specific anniversary year.
- Annual Renewal Spend Benchmark: Waiving the ₹4,999 renewal fee requires spending ₹8,00,000 or more in eligible retail transactions during the previous anniversary year.
- Moderate Base Earning Rate: General retail spending outside dining and travel earns at 1 reward point per ₹100 (0.50% value on AU Rewardz).
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel purchases, wallet loads, rent payments, government taxes, and cash withdrawals do not earn reward points or count toward milestone thresholds.
- Finance Charges (APR): Unpaid revolving statement balances attract standard finance charges of 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum).
Who Benefits Most
- Ultra-Frequent International Flyers: High-net-worth travelers who take full advantage of 16 international Priority Pass lounges and 0.99% forex markup.
- Luxury Hotel & Hospitality Enthusiasts: Spenders spending ₹12 Lakhs or more annually who want Taj Epicure elite status and dining perks.
- Affluent Domestic Travelers: Cardholders who maximize 16 domestic airport lounges and golf rounds throughout the country.
- HNWs Seeking Metal Card Prestige: Executives seeking a distinguished metal card with accessible eligibility compared to legacy private banking alternatives.
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).