AU Bank Credit Cards: Top 3 Cards for Salaried Indians

AU Small Finance Bank made a bold entry into the credit card market with products that challenge established players on specific features. Most notably, the AU LIT card introduced a customisation model not seen before in India — users can activate and deactivate benefit categories each month based on their spending plans. For salaried Indians who want flexibility without switching cards, this is genuinely useful.

AU Small Finance Bank and its credit card range

AU Bank (formerly AU Financiers) transitioned to a small finance bank in 2017 and launched its credit card business in 2021. It now issues credit cards across three main tiers: entry/flexible (LIT), mid-tier (Altura Plus), and premium (Zenith). The bank focuses heavily on digital account management and has built a reputation for a clean mobile app experience that rivals private sector banks.

One significant advantage for salaried professionals: AU Bank has a relatively accessible credit underwriting model. If you have a CIBIL score of 700+ and a salary of ₹25,000+, you have a reasonable shot at the Altura card, which is harder to achieve with equivalent income at HDFC or Axis.

AU LIT Credit Card: the customisable option

The AU LIT Credit Card (Live-It-Your-Way) allows cardholders to choose active benefit categories from a menu each month. Available categories include: 5% cashback on online spends, 10% cashback on dining, 2X reward points on travel, movie ticket discounts, and lounge access. You pick 1–3 categories per month via the AU 0101 app, and those become active for that billing cycle.

Annual fee: ₹499. This card makes most sense for people whose spending patterns shift — heavy restaurant spending some months, heavy online shopping others. If your spending is consistent month to month, a fixed-category card from a different bank may deliver more value without requiring active management each month.

Altura and Zenith: mid and premium tier

The AU Altura Plus Credit Card is the best AU card for most salaried professionals who want a set-and-forget option. It provides 2% cashback on online spends, 1% on offline, and 4 complimentary lounge visits per year. Annual fee: ₹1,499 (waived on ₹1.5 lakh annual spend). CIBIL requirement: 720+. Monthly income: ₹30,000+.

The AU Zenith Credit Card targets the premium segment. Rewards at 2 points per ₹100 with accelerated 10X on international transactions, unlimited domestic lounge access, and 4 international lounge visits per year via Priority Pass. Annual fee: ₹4,999 (waived at ₹5 lakh spend). This card is competitive against HDFC Regalia and Axis Magnus in its fee range.

The AU LIT card offers up to 10% cashback on dining when the category is activated for that billing cycle

Side-by-side comparison

Who should apply and who should not

Apply if: You are early in your credit journey and want a card with accessible eligibility (AU is more lenient than HDFC or ICICI for first-time applicants). You want a customisable rewards card (LIT). You are building a relationship with a digital-first bank that offers good personal loan and fixed deposit products alongside cards.

Avoid if: You want top-tier travel perks at the premium level — AU Zenith is good but HDFC Infinia or Amex Platinum still outperform it for serious travellers. Also avoid if you have high monthly EMIs already — AU Bank will account for your existing obligations in the credit limit calculation, and a low limit on a premium card provides limited utility.

If your current EMI load is high and you want to free up cash flow before adding new credit products, a balance transfer loan or personal loan to consolidate existing debt is worth exploring first.