AU Bank Xcite Credit Card Review
The AU Bank Xcite is an entry-level rewards card with a small ₹249 annual fee. It earns a high rate on dining, movies, groceries and department-store purchases, and includes railway lounge visits and free device protection.
It is part of AU’s SwipeUp programme and runs on RuPay, so it can be linked to UPI. The base rate outside the bonus categories is modest and the exclusion list is long, so check how much of your spending falls in the 15-point categories.
- Low ₹249 annual fee, waivable
- 15 points per ₹100 on dining, movies, groceries and department stores
- Double base points on spends from the 1st to 5th of each month
- 8 railway lounge visits a year
- Free device protection for phones, tablets and laptops
- Long exclusion list (rent, fuel, education, government, BBPS bill payments, transport and more)
- ₹99 + GST per redemption
- Fuel waiver capped at ₹100 a cycle (from 1 Oct 2026)
- No airport lounge access
- Extra charges once fuel, utility, rent or education spends cross set limits
Fees and charges
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | Check at application (third-party sources list ₹249) |
| Annual fee | ₹249, waived from year two on ₹1 lakh retail spend in the previous card year |
| Add-on cards | Free |
| Reward redemption | ₹99 + GST |
| Interest | 3.75% a month (45% a year) |
| Forex markup | 3.49% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on ₹400–₹5,000, up to ₹100 per statement cycle |
Rewards: how the card earns
| Spend | Reward points per ₹100 |
|---|---|
| Dining, movies, groceries, department stores | 15 |
| Other retail (online and offline) | 3 (doubled to 6 on spends from the 1st to 5th of the month) |
| Insurance, utilities, telecom | 1, capped at 100 points per transaction |
AU does not publish a fixed value per point; it depends on the redemption option you choose.
What earns nothing
Cash withdrawals, rent, education, government payments, EMI, fuel, BBPS bill payments, quasi-cash transactions and (since 1 April 2026) transport spends earn no points.
Other benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Railway lounges | 8 visits a year, maximum 2 per calendar quarter |
| Airport lounges | None |
| Device protection | Free cover for mobiles, tablets, laptops and select electronics |
| Lost card | Zero liability on fraudulent use after reporting |
| UPI | RuPay card that can be linked to UPI |
Eligibility
Issuer
AU Small Finance Bank
Network
RuPay
Age
Salaried 21–60; self-employed 25–65
Residency
Resident Indian
Documents
PAN, Aadhaar, income proof
Who this card is for
- Good fit: people who spend regularly on dining, groceries and movies and want a cheap card with a high rate in those categories.
- Skip if: most of your spending is on rent, fuel, bills paid through BBPS or travel — these earn nothing.
Alternatives worth comparing
- AU Bank Vetta — mid-tier AU card with airport lounges
- Best AU Bank credit cards
- Best dining cards
- Best cards for groceries and bills
Final verdict
One of the better low-fee cards for lifestyle spending: a high rate on dining, movies and groceries for just ₹249 a year, which most regular users will get waived. The long exclusion list and lack of airport lounges are the trade-offs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the AU Xcite lifetime free?
No. It has a ₹249 + GST annual fee, waived from the second year if you spend ₹1 lakh in the previous card year.
How many points do I earn on dining and groceries?
15 reward points per ₹100 on dining, movies, groceries and department-store spends.
Does it have airport lounge access?
No. It offers 8 railway lounge visits a year (up to 2 per quarter).
What is the fuel surcharge waiver?
1% on fuel transactions of ₹400–₹5,000, capped at ₹100 per statement cycle from 1 October 2026.
Which network is it on?
RuPay, so it can be linked to UPI.
Last verified: October 2026, against AU Small Finance Bank’s product page and Key Fact Statement (30 Sep 2026). Card terms change often; confirm the current fees and reward rules on the issuer’s website before you apply. All fees are plus 18% GST.