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AU Prathama Credit Card Review
The short version. Prathama — the name means “first” — is AU’s ₹100 starter card, aimed at people getting their first proper credit card or wanting a simple, near-free everyday card. It keeps things plain: a flat 2 points per ₹100, small bonuses for contactless taps and setting up auto-pay, and an easy fee waiver.
Fees & charges
| Charge | Detail |
|---|---|
| Joining / annual fee | ₹100 + GST |
| Fee waiver | On annual spends of ₹75,000 |
| Forex markup | 3.5% + GST |
| Base rewards | 2 reward points per ₹100 spent |
| Contactless bonus | 2 reward points per ₹100 on contactless spends |
| Standing-instruction bonus | 500 bonus reward points for each successful standing-instruction / recurring-payment setup |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on transactions of ₹400–₹5,000 |
Rewards & benefits
Prathama keeps the rewards simple and predictable:
- 2 reward points per ₹100 on everyday spends.
- 2 reward points per ₹100 on contactless (tap-to-pay) transactions.
- 500 bonus reward points for every successful standing-instruction or recurring-transaction setup — an easy one-time boost if you route a subscription or bill through the card.
Eligibility & documents
AU Small Finance Bank typically requires applicants to be resident Indians (salaried or self-employed) within the bank’s age and income norms, with standard KYC (PAN and Aadhaar/address proof). Existing AU customers can often see pre-approved offers in the AU 0101 app. Exact income eligibility varies by variant — the premium cards need a higher income than the entry cards.
Who it’s for
Where it shines
- Near-free at ₹100, waived at just ₹75,000/yr
- Simple, predictable flat rewards
- Bonus points for contactless and auto-pay setups
- Good genuine first credit card
Where it falls short
- No lounge, travel or big lifestyle perks
- Forex markup 3.5% — not for foreign use
- Reward rate is modest by design
How it compares
Prathama is the base rung of AU’s ladder — the natural starting point before stepping up to Tejas (cashback), Lakshya (lifestyle) or Ananta (travel). As a first card it competes with other beginner options in our best first credit cards for beginners guide.
Verdict
Prathama does exactly what a starter card should: costs almost nothing, keeps rewards simple, and gives you a clean AU relationship to grow from. It will not excite a points optimiser, but as a first or backup card it is perfectly sensible. Our score: 7.0/10.
Frequently asked questions
What is the AU Prathama annual fee?
₹100 + GST, waived on annual spends of ₹75,000.
What rewards does Prathama earn?
2 reward points per ₹100 on spends, the same on contactless transactions, plus 500 bonus points for each standing-instruction setup.
Is Prathama a good first credit card?
Yes — the ₹100 fee, low waiver threshold and simple rewards make it a sensible entry card to build a credit history.
Does Prathama offer lounge access?
No. It is an entry-level card focused on simple everyday rewards rather than travel perks.