AU Bank Zenith Plus Review 2026: 0.99% Forex, 16+16 Lounges

The AU Bank Zenith Plus is a strong card for frequent international travellers: it charges just 0.99% forex markup, includes 16 domestic and 16 international lounge visits a year, and costs ₹4,999. Its reward rate is ordinary at 1% base and 2% on dining and travel, so it's a travel-perks card, not a rewards card. If you fly abroad a few times a year, it earns its fee from forex savings and lounges alone.

Who this card is for

Zenith Plus is AU Small Finance Bank's top metal card, sitting above the standard Zenith. It suits:

• People who travel abroad several times a year and spend on the card there
• Couples or frequent flyers who'll use a good share of 32 lounge visits
• AU Bank customers who want a premium card without paying ₹10,000 or more

It's less suitable if you rarely travel, or if you want the highest possible reward rate on domestic spending.

Fees and key features

Feature	AU Zenith Plus
Joining fee	₹4,999 + GST
Annual fee	₹4,999 + GST
Fee waiver spend	₹8,00,000 a year
Base reward rate	1%
Dining	2%
Travel	2%
Reward type / point value	Points, 25 paise each
Forex markup	0.99%
Domestic lounge	16 a year, plus quarterly Airport Meet & Assist
International lounge	16 a year via Priority Pass
Movies	Up to 16 buy-one-get-one tickets a year via BookMyShow
Minimum monthly income	₹80,000

With GST, the fee is ₹5,898.82 a year. The ₹8 lakh waiver threshold, about ₹66,700 a month, is steep, so plan to pay the fee unless this is your main card for large spends.

The welcome benefit offsets the first year: ₹5,000 of luxury gift vouchers (Taj, Michael Kors, Tata CLiQ) or equivalent reward points on activation.

Rewards, with a worked example

BestCard's data shows 1% back on regular spends and 2% on dining and travel, with points worth 25 paise each. The rates are effective values, so 1% means ₹1 back per ₹100.

Example: ₹1,00,000 a month

• ₹15,000 on dining and travel × 2% = ₹300
• ₹85,000 on other spends × 1% = ₹850
• Monthly value: ₹1,150, or ₹13,800 a year

That's about 2.3 times the fee including GST, before counting any travel perks. At ₹12 lakh of annual spend you'd also clear the ₹8 lakh waiver, and at ₹12 lakh of retail spend the card adds a complimentary Taj Epicure membership.

Example: ₹50,000 a month, plus two trips abroad

• ₹10,000 on dining and travel × 2% = ₹200
• ₹40,000 other × 1% = ₹400
• Monthly value: ₹600, or ₹7,200 a year

Now add ₹2,00,000 of spending abroad over the year. On a card with a 3.49% markup, like the standard Zenith, that costs ₹6,980 plus ₹1,256 GST, or ₹8,236. On Zenith Plus it's ₹1,980 plus ₹356 GST, or ₹2,336. The forex saving is ₹5,900, which on its own covers the fee.

Lounge access and travel benefits

The lounge allowance is the card's biggest strength. Our data lists 16 domestic visits and 16 international visits through Priority Pass each year, plus quarterly Airport Meet & Assist. The domestic allowance on the standard Zenith is 8 visits a year and spend-gated; the Zenith Plus listing doesn't mention a spend condition, but check AU's current terms because banks have been adding them across the industry.

If a single international lounge visit is worth ₹2,000 to ₹2,500 to you, using even half the 16 Priority Pass visits is worth more than the fee.

Other perks:

• Up to 16 buy-one-get-one movie or event tickets a year via BookMyShow
• Taj Epicure membership on ₹12 lakh+ annual retail spend
• Metal card

Pros and cons

Pros

• 0.99% forex markup, among the lowest in its fee range
• 16 domestic and 16 international lounge visits a year
• Quarterly Airport Meet & Assist
• ₹5,000 luxury welcome vouchers
• Lower fee than the standard Zenith

Cons

• Ordinary 1% base and 2% category rates
• ₹8 lakh waiver threshold is hard to reach
• ₹80,000 monthly income requirement
• Overlaps closely with the cheaper-to-hold standard Zenith outside forex and lounges

Eligibility

BestCard's data lists a minimum monthly income of ₹80,000, the same as the standard Zenith. AU will also look at your credit score, existing cards and relationship with the bank. Our AU Small Finance Bank cards guide covers the rest of the lineup if Zenith Plus is out of reach.

How it compares with alternatives

AU Bank Zenith: ₹7,999 fee, waived on ₹5 lakh. Higher earn rates (2% base, 5% travel, 4% dining capped at ₹1,500 a month), but a 3.49% forex markup and fewer lounge visits (8 domestic and 8 international a year, domestic gated on ₹50,000 prior-quarter spend). Better for heavy domestic spenders.

IDFC FIRST Ashva: ₹2,999 fee, zero forex markup, 4 domestic lounge visits a quarter and 2 international a quarter. Cheaper and with no markup at all, though rewards are lower at 0.83% base. Our Ashva review has more.

RBL World Safari: ₹3,000 fee, zero forex, 5% on travel and 2% base in miles, but fewer international lounge visits. See our World Safari review.

Put them side by side on /compare, or see our list of low forex markup cards.

Verdict

The AU Zenith Plus earns its ₹4,999 fee through low forex markup and a generous lounge allowance, not through rewards. If you travel abroad a couple of times a year and use the lounges, it pays for itself comfortably. If you mostly spend in India, the standard Zenith or a dedicated rewards card will give you more.

These figures are from BestCard's latest card data, and issuers change fees, lounge rules and rates regularly, so check AU Small Finance Bank's site before applying. Not sure where Zenith Plus fits for you? Run your numbers through the card matcher.