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CheQ AU Credit Card Review
The short version. The CheQ AU Credit Card is the headline-grabber of 2026 — India’s first credit card with an embedded LED that lights up on every tap-to-pay. Beyond the gimmick, it is a genuinely rewarding bill-payment-and-shopping card that comes as a Visa + RuPay pair and is managed through the CheQ app. It suits people who already use CheQ to pay bills and want rewards on those payments plus everyday shopping.
Fees & charges
| Charge | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | Lifetime free — no joining or annual fee |
| LED card fee (optional) | ₹999 + GST one-time (LED version only) |
| What you get | Two cards: one Visa and one RuPay variant |
| Reward validity | CheQ Points valid for 2 years from credit |
| Monthly earn cap | Up to 12,000 CheQ Points/month on accelerated categories |
Rewards & benefits
The card earns CheQ Points across bills, shopping and UPI:
- 24 CheQ Points per ₹200 on CheQ Travel (flights & hotels) and utility bills paid via the CheQ app.
- 24 CheQ Points per ₹200 on Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, BigBasket and Apple products (Visa card, or CheQ UPI on the RuPay card).
- 10 CheQ Points per ₹200 on online shopping, travel, food delivery and online grocery across 10,000+ brands.
- 5 CheQ Points per ₹200 when you link the RuPay card to CheQ UPI and pay at QR codes.
The signature feature is hardware, not points: the Visa card has an embedded LED that illuminates automatically during each POS tap — powered by the terminal’s NFC field, so there’s no battery.
Eligibility & documents
You apply through the CheQ app, which runs the application with AU Small Finance Bank. Eligibility: resident Indian aged 21–60 (salaried) or 25–65 (self-employed), with PAN + Aadhaar KYC. Existing CheQ users get the smoothest path.
Who it’s for
Where it shines
- Genuinely novel LED-on-tap Visa card
- Strong earn on bill payments and major shopping brands
- Two cards (Visa + RuPay) covers global + UPI use
- Lifetime free — no joining or annual fee
Where it falls short
- Rewards revolve around the CheQ app ecosystem
- LED version costs a one-time ₹999 + GST
- Monthly accelerated-earn cap of 12,000 points; 3.49% forex markup and 3.75% monthly finance charge
- Best value only if you already pay bills via CheQ
How it compares
As a bill-payment-plus-shopping rewards card, CheQ AU is most compelling for existing CheQ users who route utilities and rent-style payments through the app. The LED is a fun differentiator but shouldn’t drive the decision — judge it on the CheQ Points you’ll actually earn. For pure everyday value, also see our best cashback credit cards guide.
Verdict
The CheQ AU Credit Card backs up its novelty with a solid rewards engine for bills and online shopping, and the Visa + RuPay pairing is genuinely useful. If you’re already in the CheQ ecosystem, it’s an easy yes; if not, weigh the rewards on their own merit rather than the glowing LED. Our score: 7.5/10.
Frequently asked questions
Is the CheQ AU really India’s first LED credit card?
Yes — the Visa variant has an embedded LED that lights up during each tap-to-pay POS transaction, powered by the terminal’s NFC field with no battery. It’s billed as India’s first LED-enabled credit card.
What is the annual fee?
None — the card is lifetime free. The LED version carries an optional one-time ₹999 + GST fee.
How many cards do I get?
Two — one Visa and one RuPay variant — so you get global acceptance plus UPI-linked spending.
How long are CheQ Points valid?
Two years from the date they are credited to your CheQ account. Accelerated earning is capped at 12,000 points per month.
Apply on the official AU Bank site →