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Karur Vysya Bank Premium Credit Cards (Aura, Samara, Altura, Eternis) Review
The short version. KVB — a mid-sized, well-run South-India bank — has stepped into premium credit cards for the first time with four Visa-powered variants aimed at its affluent customers. The line-up ladders neatly from an everyday online-shopping card (Aura) up to a genuinely luxury travel card (Eternis), with reward value improving as you climb. For existing KVB customers who want to keep their banking and card under one roof, this is a credible new option; for outsiders, availability is still limited while the bank rolls out.
Compare all four variants
| Feature | Aura | Samara | Altura | Eternis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Visa tier | Platinum | Signature | Infinite | Infinite |
| Base earn | 1 RP / ₹100 | 1 RP / ₹100 | 1 RP / ₹100 | 2 RP / ₹100 |
| Accelerated earn | 8X on online shopping | 6X on dining & online shopping | 5X on flights, hotels, dining, luxury shopping | 3X on flights, hotels, dining, luxury shopping |
| Reward-point value | ≈ ₹0.25 / RP | ≈ ₹0.50 / RP | ≈ ₹1.00 / RP | ≈ ₹1.00 / RP |
| Welcome bonus | — | — | 7,500 RP | 10,000 RP |
| Signature memberships | Amazon Prime, Zomato Gold | Taj Epicure, Amazon Prime | Club Marriott | Postcard Hotels luxury stay |
| Zero forex markup | — | — | Yes | Yes (top tier) |
| Best for | Everyday online shoppers | Diners & lifestyle | Frequent travellers | Luxury / high spenders |
Note how the reward-point value climbs with the tier: Aura’s points are worth about ₹0.25 each, so its 8X multiplier is less generous than it first looks, while Altura and Eternis points are worth a full ₹1 — making their 5X and 3X far more valuable in real money.
Eternis (Visa Infinite) — the flagship
Eternis sits at the top: a 2 reward points per ₹100 base rate (double the others), 3X on flights, hotels, dining and luxury shopping, and points worth ₹1 each. The headline welcome benefit is 10,000 reward points plus a complimentary stay at a luxury Postcard Hotel, alongside airport lounge access. It is pitched at high spenders and frequent luxury travellers who will use the hotel and lounge privileges.
Altura (Visa Infinite) — the traveller’s pick
Altura is arguably the sweet spot for real-world value. It earns 1 RP per ₹100 with an accelerated 5X on flights, hotels, dining and luxury shopping, points worth ₹1, a 7,500 reward-point welcome bonus, a Club Marriott membership, and — crucially — zero foreign-currency markup. For anyone who travels abroad even a couple of times a year, the zero-forex feature alone can outweigh a lot of reward-rate differences.
Samara (Visa Signature) — dining & lifestyle
Samara targets the food-and-lifestyle crowd: 1 RP per ₹100 with 6X on dining and online shopping, points worth about ₹0.50, and memberships to Taj Epicure and Amazon Prime. It is a step below the Infinite cards on travel benefits but leans into everyday dining rewards.
Aura (Visa Platinum) — the entry card
Aura is the accessible, everyday-online-shopping option: 1 RP per ₹100 with a big-sounding 8X multiplier on online shopping, plus Amazon Prime and Zomato Gold subscriptions. Just remember its points are worth roughly ₹0.25 each, so treat the 8X as a modest accelerator rather than a headline cashback rate.
Fees & how to apply
KVB has not yet published a public joining/annual fee schedule for these cards. Fees, interest rates and full terms are shown per variant inside the KVB DLite mobile banking app or at a KVB branch, and the first phase is being offered to existing, pre-approved customers. If you bank with KVB, check DLite for a pre-approved offer; if you do not, you may need to wait for wider availability. We will update this review with exact fees once the bank publishes them.
Which one should you pick?
Pick a higher tier if…
- You travel abroad — Altura or Eternis for zero forex markup.
- You spend enough to use lounge access and hotel memberships.
- You want points worth a full ₹1 (Altura / Eternis).
Stay lower / look elsewhere if…
- You mostly shop online and want simple value — Aura, but mind the ₹0.25 point value.
- You are not a KVB customer — availability is still limited.
- You need published, guaranteed fee terms before applying.
For broader options while KVB’s rollout widens, see our guides to the best premium credit cards in India and the best travel credit cards.
Frequently asked questions
How many credit cards are in KVB’s premium portfolio?
Four: Aura (Visa Platinum), Samara (Visa Signature), Altura (Visa Infinite) and Eternis (Visa Infinite), launched together on 29 May 2026.
Which KVB card gives the best value?
For most people who travel, Altura is the value pick — ₹1-per-point rewards, a 5X accelerator, Club Marriott and zero forex markup. Eternis is richer but aimed at high/luxury spenders.
What are the joining and annual fees?
KVB has not published them publicly yet. Fees are shown per variant in the KVB DLite app or at a branch. We’ll update this page once the official schedule is public.
Can non-KVB customers apply?
The initial rollout is to existing, pre-approved KVB customers. Wider availability is expected as the bank scales the programme.
Do any of the cards waive foreign-currency markup?
Yes — the Visa Infinite variants (Altura and Eternis) offer zero forex markup, which is valuable for international spends.
Apply on the official Karur Vysya Bank site →