AU CS Credit Card 2026: Complete Guide to Benefits, Rewards, Cashback & Lounge Access
For a Company Secretary or an ICSI member who would want to have a credit card that offers credit card rewards for work as well as personal expenses, the AU CS Credit Card is a definite option to consider.
AU CS Credit Card has been launched by AU Small Finance Bank and is tailored for the spending of Company Secretaries. It offers a mix of ICSI benefits, access to a lounge, lifestyle offers, and accelerated reward points on such activities as dining out, travel, paying taxes and buying software.
This article will discuss the benefits offered by the AU CS Credit Card, welcome benefits, reward points, cashback offers, ICSI membership benefit, lounge access, fuel surcharge waiver, insurance benefits and more.
AU CS Credit Card: Key Highlights
Feature | Benefit |
Welcome Reward | 2,000 reward points on eligible spending |
Welcome Spending Requirement | Spend ₹5,000 within 30 days of activation |
SwiggyOne Benefit | SwiggyOne membership worth ₹299 on eligible spending of ₹10,000 within first 30 days |
Amazon Now Cashback | 15% cashback, up to ₹250 per month |
Zomato Cashback | 15% cashback, up to ₹250 per month |
Accelerated Rewards | 8 reward points per ₹100 |
Accelerated Categories | Dining, travel, tax payments and software |
Other Retail Spends | 2 reward points per ₹100 |
Utility, Insurance & Telecom | 1 reward point per ₹100 |
Reward Point Value | ₹0.25 per point, as provided |
ICSI Membership | 25% cashback on eligible ICSI membership renewal |
Forex Markup | 1.99%, as provided |
Lounge Access | 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter |
Fuel Surcharge | 1% waiver on eligible fuel transactions |
Annual Fee | Lifetime free, as provided |
AU CS Credit Card Welcome Benefits
New cardholders can take a jump-start in rewards with the AU CS Credit Card welcome benefit.
You can earn:
2,000 reward points when you activate the card and spend ₹5,000 within the first 30 days.
The members of SwiggyOne get ₹299 worth of membership after spending ₹10,000 in the first 30 days.
This translates to new cardholders being able to calculate their first purchases in order to receive the welcome benefits twice, as opposed to one at a time.
AU Small Finance Bank also mentions welcome benefits for new cardholders of the AU CS Credit Card, provided they invest as per the spending conditions.
How to Maximise the Welcome Benefits
If you are applying for the card, then consider your initial month's expenses.
For instance, if the card is made for eligible grocery, dining, travel or other regular purchases, then you could use the card for the purchases and not make an unnecessary purchase just to qualify for the spending amount.
The trick is to spend within the spending conditions in your normal spending.
AU CS Credit Card Cashback Benefits
The interesting thing about the card is that it has cashback offers and also awards points.
1. 15% Cashback on Amazon Now
Based on the benefit description, the grocery cashback provided via Amazon Now to cardholders is up to ₹250 per month and can be availed at 15% cashback.
This is great for people who shop for groceries regularly, as the benefit does have a limit on cashback per month.
For instance, if you buy some eligible Amazon Now grocery items worth ₹1000, a 15% cashback rate works out to receiving ₹150 in rewards.
The most that can be availed in the above-mentioned offer is ₹250 per month.
2. 15% Cashback on Zomato Food Delivery
According to the benefit details given, the AU CS Credit Card offers a whopping 15% cashback on all Zomato food delivery orders made within a month, capped at ₹250.
For those who use the card regularly, it may make the card more attractive for their day-to-day food-related purchases.
So, if you spend ₹1000, you would get ₹150 cashback at a 15% discount rate, with the monthly limit of cashback also applying.
AU CS Credit Card Cashback at a Glance
Category | Cashback |
Amazon Now Grocery | 15%, up to ₹250/month |
Zomato Food Delivery | 15%, up to ₹250/month |
ICSI Membership Renewal | 25%, as per applicable terms |
AU CS Credit Card Reward Points
The AU CS Credit Card reward programme is especially beneficial when it comes to career expenses.
AU Small Finance Bank lists 8 reward points per ₹100 spent on dining, travel, tax payments and software purchases for the card.
The reward value you provided is such that 1 reward point is worth ₹0.25.
8 reward points × ₹0.25 = ₹2
Eligible spending of ₹100 in accelerated categories can earn rewards of 2% (based on the reward point value).
8 Reward Points per ₹100 on Key Categories
The categories of accelerated rewards are:
Dining
Travel
Tax payments
Software purchases
This is especially applicable to the company secretaries who might need to spend money regularly on the above-mentioned heads.
AU's published reward-point terms also list the Merchant Category Codes for transactions that will qualify, meaning that not all transactions that seem to fit into a category will be eligible for accelerated rewards.
Reward Points on Other Retail Spends
On the basis of the information provided, the card will also earn 2 reward points for every ₹100 of other retail purchases.
At ₹0.25 per reward point:
2 × ₹0.25 = ₹0.50
So the effective reward value works out to approximately 0.5% on these eligible retail purchases.
AU's current card information also lists 2 reward points per ₹100 on retail categories.
Reward Points on Utility, Insurance & Telecom
For eligible utility, insurance and telecom spending, the card provides 1 reward point per ₹100.
At a value of ₹0.25 per reward point, this represents approximately 0.25% in reward value.
AU's published card information confirms 1 reward point per ₹100 on eligible utility/telecom and insurance spending.
AU CS Credit Card ICSI Membership Cashback
For Company Secretaries, one of the most relevant benefits is the ICSI membership fee benefit.
The card provides 25% cashback on eligible ICSI membership fee renewal, according to the provided information and AU's published information.
The benefit is particularly useful because it is directly linked to a professional expense.
AU's current information states that the ICSI membership benefit is available to the primary AU CS Credit Card holder, with the card required to be active and in good standing.
The benefit is available once per card anniversary year, subject to the applicable terms.
How the ICSI Cashback Works
The process is straightforward:
Keep your AU CS Credit Card active and in good standing.
Pay the eligible annual ICSI membership renewal fee using the card.
Complete the qualifying transaction.
The eligible cashback is processed according to the bank's applicable timeline.
The cashback is calculated on the eligible annual ICSI membership fee, with applicable taxes or other charges treated according to the benefit terms.
AU CS Credit Card Lounge Access
For professionals who travel regularly, airport lounge access can add significant value.
The AU CS Credit Card provides 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter, based on the benefit information provided. AU also highlights complimentary domestic airport lounge access as one of the card's travel benefits.
That can mean up to:
2 visits × 4 quarters = 8 visits per year
Subject to the applicable eligibility and lounge access terms.
Whether you travel for meetings, professional events or personal trips, complimentary lounge access can make airport waiting time more comfortable.
AU CS Credit Card Fuel Surcharge Waiver
The card also offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on eligible fuel transactions.
According to the provided details, the waiver applies to transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000, across fuel stations in India, with a maximum cashback/waiver benefit of ₹250 per statement cycle.
This can be useful for cardholders who regularly use their vehicle for work or personal travel.
AU CS Credit Card Forex Markup
Another benefit provided for the card is a low forex markup of 1.99%.
A lower foreign currency markup can be useful for cardholders who make eligible international transactions.
However, before using the card overseas, always check the latest forex markup, GST and other applicable charges in the current schedule of charges.
AU CS Credit Card Insurance Benefits
The card also comes with several insurance-related protections according to the provided information.
These include:
₹50 Lakh Air Accident Cover
Cardholders can receive ₹50 lakh air accident cover, subject to the applicable terms and conditions.
₹5 Lakh Credit Shield
The card also provides insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh against card outstanding balance in cases such as permanent total disability, critical illness or death, subject to eligibility and policy terms.
₹25,000 Purchase Protection
The card provides ₹25,000 purchase protection cover, subject to the applicable conditions.
Travel Insurance
The card also includes travel insurance benefits.
Insurance benefits are subject to policy terms, exclusions, eligibility conditions and claim requirements, so cardholders should review the relevant insurance documents before relying on the coverage.
AU CS Credit Card Visa Signature Benefits
The card is available with Visa Signature benefits, according to the provided information.
Visa Signature can provide access to additional offers and privileges depending on the card variant and applicable Visa programs.
The exact offers can change over time, so it is advisable to check the current Visa and AU Small Finance Bank offers before making a purchase.
Is the AU CS Credit Card Lifetime Free?
Based on the card details provided, the AU CS Credit Card is a lifetime-free credit card, meaning there is no annual membership fee under the stated proposition.
However, credit cards can have other applicable charges, such as late-payment charges, cash withdrawal fees, foreign currency charges and taxes.
Always check the latest Key Fact Statement and schedule of charges before applying. AU itself recommends reviewing the applicable MITC/Key Fact Statement before choosing a credit card.
AU CS Credit Card: Reward Rate Calculation
Here's a simple way to understand the reward structure:
Spending Category | Reward Points | Approx. Reward Value* |
Dining | 8/₹100 | 2% |
Travel | 8/₹100 | 2% |
Tax Payments | 8/₹100 | 2% |
Software | 8/₹100 | 2% |
Other Retail | 2/₹100 | 0.5% |
Utility | 1/₹100 | 0.25% |
Insurance | 1/₹100 | 0.25% |
Telecom | 1/₹100 | 0.25% |
Calculated using the ₹0.25 reward-point value provided. Actual reward eligibility and redemption value are subject to applicable terms.
AU's published terms also specify that certain categories and transactions are excluded from reward accrual, including cash, rent, education and government transactions, EMI, fuel, BBPS and quasi-cash transactions.
AU CS Credit Card Pros and Cons
Pros
Lifetime-free card, as provided
2,000 welcome reward points on meeting the initial spending condition
SwiggyOne membership benefit upon meeting the applicable spending condition
8 reward points per ₹100 on eligible dining, travel, tax and software spending
15% cashback on eligible Amazon Now grocery spending
15% cashback on eligible Zomato food delivery
25% cashback on eligible ICSI membership renewal
2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter
Fuel surcharge waiver
Insurance and purchase protection benefits
Low forex markup of 1.99%, as provided
Cons
Cashback offers have monthly caps
Reward points depend on eligible Merchant Category Codes
Some transaction categories do not earn reward points
Lounge access is subject to applicable eligibility and lounge terms
Insurance benefits have specific exclusions and conditions
Reward redemption may have applicable charges and terms
Final Verdict: Is AU CS Credit Card Worth It?
The AU CS Credit Card stands out because it offers both business advantages and everyday savings.
The best aspects of this card are that it provides 8 reward points for every ₹100 spent at eligible restaurants, travel partners, tax discounts, tax and software spending, offers a cashback of 25% on ICSI purchases, offers cashback on purchases at Zomato and Amazon Now at 15%, and offers complimentary airport lounge access and a lifetime free proposition, as per the details provided and the bank's published card details.
If an ICSI professional works and spends regularly to travel, eat out, pay off software or taxes, the card can be worthwhile all year long.
But the most important thing to keep in mind is to spend only on items that you would be paying for anyway with your card, not on anything that you wouldn't pay for with cash.
Always review the latest AU Small Finance Bank terms, fees, exclusions and eligibility before applying, as credit card benefits may vary.
Conclusion
For ICSI members who wish to avail rewards while saving on their everyday and professional expenses, the AU CS Credit Card proves to be a good choice. Its cashback of 25% on ICSI membership, accelerated rewards, Zomato and Amazon Now cashback, lounge access and lifetime-free benefits can prove to be an excellent option if it suits your lifestyle.
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