IDFC FIRST vs AU Bank Credit Cards: Zenith Plus Narrows the Gap on Lounges

IDFC FIRST and AU Small Finance Bank both lean on no-fee cards and spend-gated lounge access. The cleanest head-to-head is at the premium end: AU's Zenith Plus costs ₹4,999 and charges 0.99% forex, while IDFC FIRST's Mayura costs ₹5,999 and charges nothing. The rest of the lineups show a pattern: IDFC FIRST wins on forex everywhere, AU wins on how low its income floors start.

Entry level

AU Bank LIT has no fee, a ₹15,000 income floor and 5% on dining and online shopping, capped at ₹500 a month, with 3.49% forex. AU SPONT costs ₹299 with 2 domestic lounge visits a quarter on ₹50,000 of previous-quarter spend and a ₹10,000 income floor. AU NOMO has a ₹199 joining fee and no annual fee, with 0.99% forex and 2 domestic lounge visits a quarter on ₹20,000 of previous-quarter spend. IDFC FIRST Millennia has no fee, a ₹25,000 income floor and 0% forex. AU lets in lower earners and offers lounges at tiny fees; IDFC FIRST saves on forex. For a first-time buyer, AU leads.

Middle of the lineup

AU Altura costs ₹199, waived at ₹40,000, with 4% dining (capped at ₹1,000 a month) and 8 railway lounge visits a year, no airport lounges. AU Laksya costs ₹1,000 with 2 domestic visits a quarter on ₹50,000 of previous-quarter spend. IDFC FIRST Select has no fee, 4% on dining and travel, 1 domestic visit a quarter and 4 railway visits a quarter, but a ₹1,00,000 income floor. IDFC FIRST's no-fee mid-range card is hard to beat if you meet the income; AU is the option below it.

Premium travel

AU Zenith costs ₹7,999, waived at ₹5,00,000, with 8 domestic and 8 international visits a year at 3.49% forex. AU Zenith Plus costs ₹4,999, waived at ₹8,00,000, with 16 domestic and 16 international visits and an ₹80,000 income floor. IDFC FIRST Mayura costs ₹5,999 for up to 16 domestic and 16 international visits, unlocked by ₹20,000 monthly spend, with a ₹2,08,333 income floor and 0% forex. IDFC FIRST Ashva costs ₹2,999 with 4 domestic and 2 international visits a quarter. Zenith Plus wins on price and income threshold; Mayura wins on forex. Even.

The high end

AU stops at Zenith Plus. IDFC FIRST continues with Gaj (₹12,500, 4 domestic and 4 international visits a quarter), the Diamond Reserve (₹3,000, waived at ₹6,00,000, 6.67% on travel) and Private (₹50,000 joining, ₹25,000 annual, unlimited lounges). IDFC FIRST leads.

Co-brands

AU runs co-brands with Aditya Birla (the ABC AU Pro costs ₹999, with 1.5% base and 1.99% forex), Paytm (up to 12 domestic visits tied to travel bookings) and ixigo (no fee, 0% forex). IDFC FIRST's main co-brands are LIC and IndiGo. AU has the greater variety.

Choosing by income and travel

A student or early-career earner under ₹25,000 a month: AU LIT or NOMO. A mid-income traveller wanting 16+16 lounge visits at the lowest income: AU Zenith Plus. A frequent flyer who spends abroad: IDFC FIRST Mayura. Anyone earning ₹1,00,000 who wants a no-fee card: IDFC FIRST Select.

Further reading

Read the IDFC FIRST Bank credit cards guide and the AU Bank credit cards guide. For a longer-fee comparison, try Kotak vs AU Bank.