AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card Review: India’s Underrated Premium Powerhouse

In the growing world of premium credit cards, it’s easy to get dazzled by the usual big players like HDFC Infinia, ICICI Emeralde, or American Express Platinum. But every now and then, a lesser-known card quietly emerges and punches far above its weight. One such contender is the AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card — a premium lifestyle card that offers exceptional value in terms of travel, rewards, lounge access, and lifestyle benefits.

This in-depth review will cover the features, benefits, rewards, travel perks, hidden advantages, and whether the card justifies its premium annual fee. Let’s break down everything you need to know.

1. Overview: What is the AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card?

The Zenith+ is the flagship offering from AU Small Finance Bank’s credit card portfolio. Unlike typical entry-level or mid-tier cards, Zenith+ is crafted for frequent spenders, premium lifestyle seekers, and savvy users who want both rewards and comfort rolled into one.

With its premium metal form factor, generous lounge access, high reward rates, and milestone benefits, Zenith+ challenges much more established competitors — and often, outperforms them.

2. Annual Fee and Waiver Structure

• Joining & Annual Fee: ₹7,999 + GST
  
  
• First-Year Fee Waiver: Spend ₹1.25 lakh in the first 90 days
  
  
• Second-Year Fee Waiver: Spend ₹5 lakh in the card anniversary year
  
  

Verdict: A relatively high upfront fee, but easily waivable for active users — making it a powerful LTF option if used strategically.

3. Welcome Benefits

AU Bank packs a strong punch with its welcome perks:

• Zomato Pro Membership: Activated upon 5 retail transactions in the first month.
  
  
• ₹1,000 Partner Voucher: Triggered by your first POS retail transaction.
  
  
• 10,000 Bonus Reward Points: Awarded when you spend ₹1 lakh within the first 60 days.
  
  

For a lifestyle card, these are substantial starter benefits that provide immediate value.

4. Reward Points System

The reward rate is tiered based on the category, which makes it a true spend-optimization card. Here’s how it breaks down:

• 
  1 Reward Point = ₹0.25
  
  
• No capping mentioned on most categories
  
  
• Points are redeemable via AU’s dedicated rewards portal
  
  

Effective reward rates:

• Dining = 5%
  
  
• International, Grocery, Dept. Stores = 2.5%
  
  
• General = 1.25%
  
  
• Utilities = 0.25%
  
  

This is exceptionally generous, especially on dining — rivaling or even beating some super-premium cards.

5. Milestone & Quarterly Benefits

🎯 Quarterly

• Spend ₹2 lakh per quarter to receive a ₹1,000 branded gift voucher
  
  
• Up to 4 vouchers a year = ₹4,000 annual benefit
  
  

🏆 Annual

• Spend ₹8 lakh annually to earn Taj Epicure Membership (value ~₹11,000), providing:
  
  
• Complimentary night at Taj
  
  
• Dining discounts
  
  
• Spa credits
  
  

These milestones stack beautifully, especially if you're already spending in the 5–8 lakh bracket.

6. Travel Perks

Despite being a new entrant, Zenith+ has already nailed its travel game:

🛫 Domestic Lounge Access

• 4 complimentary visits per quarter (16 per year) at domestic airports
  
  
• Covers all major cities
  
  

🌍 International Lounge Access

• Free Priority Pass Membership
  
  
• 2 complimentary international visits per quarter
  
  
• Guests visits chargeable
  
  

🚆 Railway Lounge Access

• 2 complimentary visits per quarter
  
  
• Covers key railway stations like Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Agra, Madurai, etc.
  
  

Verdict: Very strong travel benefits for both air and rail travelers.

7. Forex and Fuel Benefits

• Forex Mark-up: 1.99% — cheaper than the usual 3.5% charged by most Indian cards.
  
  
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on spends at all fuel stations (up to ₹1,000 per billing cycle)
  
  

If you travel abroad frequently or shop on international websites, this card provides solid forex savings.

8. Insurance & Security

AU Bank covers you with a suite of protection services:

• Air Accident Insurance: ₹2 crore
  
  
• Credit Shield: ₹5–15 lakh depending on conditions
  
  
• Lost Baggage & Passport Delay: Covered
  
  
• Flight Delay: Compensation included
  
  
• Hijack Cover: Per-day compensation up to 7 days
  
  

While you may rarely use these, knowing they exist adds peace of mind — especially for international travelers.

9. Additional Features

• Cash Withdrawal Limit: 20% of your total credit limit
  
  
• EMI Conversion: Available at competitive interest rates (1%–1.99%)
  
  
• Add-on Cards: Free; add-on users also enjoy lounge access and other core features
  
  

10. Rewards Redemption

• Access the AU Rewardz portal to redeem points
  
  
• Redemption rate: 1 RP = ₹0.25
  
  
• Redeemable against:
  
  
• Flights
  
  
• Gift cards
  
  
• Merchandise
  
  
• AU Bank statement cashback (if offered)
  
  

Note: Some sources report a redemption fee of ₹99 — always confirm during checkout.

11. How it Compares

Here’s how Zenith+ compares to other premium Indian cards:

Zenith+ punches above its price bracket, offering rewards and lounge access closer to ICICI Emeralde and Amex Platinum for nearly half the annual fee (with easier waivers too).

12. Who Should Get This Card?

Ideal for:

• Frequent flyers and travelers (domestic + international)
  
  
• Foodies and fine diners
  
  
• Users with ₹5–8 lakh annual card spends
  
  
• People who want a premium experience without AMEX restrictions
  
  

Avoid if:

• You’re looking for a fuel card
  
  
• You don’t hit ₹5 lakh spend/year
  
  
• You prefer cashback over rewards
  
  

13. Final Verdict: Is the Zenith+ Worth It?

The AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card is a hidden gem. It’s India’s best-kept secret in premium credit cards — offering a well-balanced blend of rewards, lounge access, milestone benefits, and low forex markup.

Even better, it can be made lifetime free with achievable spends — something most metal-tier cards don’t offer.

If you’re tired of the usual players and want a fresh, powerful credit card with serious lifestyle value — Zenith+ is worth shortlisting.