IDFC FIRST Wealth vs AU Bank Zenith
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins 6-3. Lifetime-free premium, best zero-fee card in India. AU Bank Zenith is still the right call if underrated mid-premium, punches above its fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IDFC FIRST Wealth | AU Bank Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | No annual fee | · ₹7,500 |
| Joining fee | None | · ₹7,500 |
| Top reward rate | · 3% (general) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 3% | · 2% |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation | = 7,500 reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | · N/A (no fee) | ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹3,600,000 | ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
IDFC FIRST Wealth
- 3X reward points on eligible spends; 10X on dining and travel from the first eligible transaction
- 1 domestic + 1 international airport lounge visit per quarter, unlocked by ₹20,000 spend in the previous calendar month
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- Lifetime free, no annual fee, no fee-waiver math
AU Bank Zenith
- 10 ZenPoints per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 2 ZenPoints per ₹100 on general spend
- 8 complimentary international lounge visits per quarter
- 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits / year
- Annual milestone: free domestic flight at ₹6L spend
- 4 free golf rounds/quarter at 250+ courses
FAQ
›IDFC FIRST Wealth vs AU Bank Zenith: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wealth wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use IDFC FIRST Wealth for its best categories, AU Bank Zenith for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IDFC FIRST Wealth: ₹500 gift voucher on ₹5,000 spend within 30 days of card generation. AU Bank Zenith: 7,500 reward points.