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Why Choose the ixigo AU Credit Card for Travel?

Travellers looking for the best travel credit card in India often face a common trade-off: either pay a steep annual fee for premium perks or settle for a basic card with limited rewards. The ixigo AU Credit Card is built around a different idea - a travel rewards credit card with no joining fee, no annual fee, and a reward structure that actually works for the way most Indians travel.

Here is what makes it stand out among the top-rated travel credit cards available today:

• Zero fee for life: No joining fee and no renewal fee. Unlike most travel credit cards that waive the first-year fee and charge ₹1,000–₹5,000 from year two, the ixigo AU Credit Card is genuinely lifetime free.
• Both airport and railway lounge access: Most credit cards cover only airport lounges. This card also includes railway lounge access, which is a practical benefit for train travellers across India.
• Earn travel rewards on UPI payments: A feature that is uncommon among co-branded travel cards. When you link the RuPay variant to any UPI app and make payments via QR code scan, you continue to earn credit card reward points.
• Zero forex markup fee on international spends: Ideal for those looking for a good credit card for international travel. A typical card charges 3.5% on every foreign currency transaction; this card charges zero, resulting in real savings every time you swipe abroad
• ixigo co-branded advantage: As a co-branded credit card, offers additional discounts and ixigo money on bookings made through the ixigo platform for flights, hotels, trains, and buses.

What is ixigo AU Credit Card?

The ixigo AU Credit Card is a co-branded credit card - a type of card jointly issued by a financial institution and a brand partner to offer cardholders benefits specific to that partner's platform. In this case, AU Small Finance Bank (the card issuer and an RBI-regulated scheduled commercial bank) and ixigo (India's leading travel platform) have partnered to create a card designed around how Indians book and pay for travel.

Co-branded credit cards typically offer 2–3x more value on the partner platform's services compared to a standard credit card. For the ixigo AU Credit Card, this means additional discounts and ixigo money credits when you book flights, hotels, trains, or buses through ixigo - on top of the base reward points you earn on all other spends.

The card comes in two variants:

• Visa variant: suited for those who travel abroad and want zero forex markup on foreign currency transactions, along with international airport lounge access via Priority Pass.
• RuPay variant: suited for domestic travellers who want to link the card with UPI apps (PhonePe, BHIM, GPay) to earn credit card rewards on UPI payments made via QR code scans, plus railway lounge access and a ₹2 lakh travel insurance.

Both variants are issued by AU Small Finance Bank, which has been operating as a full-service scheduled commercial bank since 2017 and is regulated by the Reserve Bank of India. For those unfamiliar with AU Bank, it is not a new entrant to the banking sector. The bank has a widespread branch and ATM network across India.

Card Benefits

The card is structured around benefits that add up over time rather than one-off perks. Here is a complete breakdown of what you get, along with the actual value in rupee terms.

Welcome Benefit

On your first successful transaction within 30 days of card issuance, you receive:

• 1,000 reward points
• ₹1,000 in ixigo money, credited directly to your ixigo account for use on flights, hotels, trains, or buses

Points not earned on fuel, rent, wallet, and jewellery transactions.

Other Card Benefits

• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver of up to ₹250 per month.
• UPI-linked rewards: Only available on the RuPay variant; link your card to any UPI app and earn 3 credit card reward points for every ₹200 spent via UPI QR scans. This is one of the most distinctive features among flight credit cards and travel cards in India.
• RuPay Travel Accident Cover: ₹2 lakh insurance cover for accidental death while travelling, available on the RuPay variant.
• 24/7 Concierge Services: available on the RuPay variant for assistance with travel bookings, reservations, and information.

ixigo Specific Card Benefits

The ixigo AU Credit Card is not just a general travel rewards credit card it is a co-branded card, which means some benefits are exclusive to the ixigo platform. This is one of the most direct financial advantages of the ixigo-AU Bank partnership.

When you book through ixigo using this card, you get:

• ixigo money credits on eligible bookings: ixigo money can be redeemed only on the ixigo platform for flight tickets, hotel bookings, train tickets, and bus tickets.
• Discount on flights, hotels, and buses: co-branded cardholders get platform-specific offers that are not available through other payment methods. Check the current offers section on ixigo for LIVE deals.
• Payment gateway charges waived on train bookings: ixigo AU Credit Card holders do not pay the payment gateway fee on IRCTC train ticket bookings made via the ixigo app.
• Broader booking coverage: the co-branded benefits apply across all four modes: domestic and international flights, hotels (budget to premium), trains, and intercity buses.

Can I use this card on other travel platforms?

Yes. The ixigo AU Credit Card works like any other Visa or RuPay card. You can use it on any travel platform, e-commerce site, or for in-store purchase. The standard reward points apply everywhere. The additional ixigo-specific discounts and ixigo money credits apply only when you book through the ixigo platform. It is not a restricted card.

Airport and Railway Lounge Access

One of the key reasons travellers look for airport lounge access credit cards is the ability to wait in comfort between flights without paying out-of-pocket for day passes. The ixigo AU Credit Card provides both domestic airport lounge access and railway lounge access - a combination that few travel credit cards in India offer without an annual fee.

Domestic Airport Lounge Access

Cardholders can access domestic airport lounges across India — up to 8 complimentary visits per year. Lounge visits are subject to a minimum quarterly spend threshold; you need to meet the spend requirement in the preceding quarter to unlock lounge access in the current quarter.

Accessible lounges are available at all domestic airports in India

Railway Lounge Access

India is a country where train travel remains an essential mode of transportation, and railway lounge access is a benefit that most airline credit cards skip entirely.The ixigo AU Credit Card covers railway lounge access at select major railway stations. This is particularly useful for long-distance travellers who often spend extended periods at major railway junctions.

International Lounge Access

For the Visa variant, cardholders get 1 complimentary international airport lounge visit per year via Priority Pass — one of the most widely recognised lounge access programmes globally, covering 1,300+ lounges in 140+ countries. This benefit is particularly relevant for occasional international travellers who want a credit card for international travel without paying a premium annual fee.

To use Priority Pass, the membership is linked to your card. You need to present your credit card and a Priority Pass member card at participating international lounges. Lounge availability varies by airport.

Using the ixigo AU Credit Card Internationally

For those using their card abroad, the forex markup fee is the single biggest hidden cost of most credit cards. A forex markup is the additional percentage a bank charges when you spend in a foreign currency - typically 3% to 3.5% on most Indian credit cards, plus GST.

The ixigo AU Credit Card (Visa variant) charges 0% forex markup. On ₹50,000 of international spending, a typical credit card would cost you ₹1,750 extra in forex markup charges. With the ixigo AU Credit Card, that savings stays in your pocket.

Additional International Benefits (Visa Variant)

• Accepted at all Visa-enabled merchants globally - hotels, restaurants, retail stores, transport.
• 1 Priority Pass international lounge visit per year - useful at busy international transit airports.
• 3D Secure authentication for safe international online transactions.

How Reward Points Work

Understanding how credit card reward points work before you apply prevents disappointment later. Here is a clear breakdown of how the ixigo AU Credit Card rewards system is structured — from earning to redemption.

Milestone Bonus

If your card spending crosses the quarterly milestone threshold (check current T&Cs for the exact amount, typically in the range of ₹75,000 per quarter), you receive bonus reward points credited to your account at the end of the quarter. This accelerates the overall value you extract from the card for moderate-to-high spenders

Redeeming ixigo Money

Reward points can be converted to ixigo money and redeemed on the ixigo platform. ixigo money is valid for:

• Domestic and international flight bookings on ixigo
• Hotel bookings (budget to premium) on ixigo
• IRCTC train ticket bookings on the ixigo app
• Intercity bus bookings on ixigo

Validity of Reward Points

Reward points have a validity period- check the current T&Cs on the AU Bank website for the expiry timeline, as it is subject to the card agreement terms. It is advisable to redeem points before they lapse, particularly if you use the card infrequently.

Transactions That Do Not Earn Reward Points

In the interest of transparency: reward points are not earned on fuel transactions (though the surcharge waiver applies), government utility payments, rent payments through third-party apps, EMI conversions, and cash advance transactions. These exclusions are standard across most credit card reward programmes in India.

ixigo AU Credit Card Charges, Eligibility and Required Documents

Before you apply for any credit card, it is worth understanding the full fee structure. The ixigo AU Credit Card is transparent on charges - here is the complete picture.

All charges are subject to applicable GST. Verify the latest fee schedule on the AU Bank website before applying.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the AU ixigo Credit Card, you need to meet the following criteria:

• Age: 21 to 60 years for primary cardholders; up to 70 years for senior applicants
• Employment type: Salaried or self-employed
• Minimum income: Confirm the current income requirement with AU Bank at the time of application, as thresholds may vary by profile
• CIBIL score: 700 or above is generally recommended for a smoother application; a lower score does not automatically disqualify you, but may affect approval
• Residential status: Indian resident

Documents Required

The application process is paperless and online. You will need:

• PAN card (mandatory)
• Aadhaar card (for KYC)
• Income proof: Latest salary slip (last 1–3 months) for salaried applicants; latest ITR for self-employed applicants.
• Passport-size photograph
• Address proof — Aadhaar is typically accepted

How to Apply for the AU ixigo Credit Card Online

Applying for the ixigo AU Credit Card takes less than 5 minutes. The entire process is online - no branch visit required. Here is how it works:

• Visit the ixigo AU Credit Card page on ixigo.com or open the ixigo app on your phone.
• Click 'Apply Now' and choose your preferred card variant - Visa (for international use) or RuPay (for UPI rewards and domestic travel).
• Fill in the application form with your basic details: name, PAN, date of birth, mobile number, income details, and employment type. The form is short and typically takes 2–3 minutes.
• Complete the KYC process - submit your Aadhaar for digital verification (Aadhaar-OTP based; no physical documents required at this stage).
• Upload income proof if prompted - salary slip or ITR depending on your employment type.
• Submit the application. You will receive an acknowledgement and application reference number on your registered mobile number and email address.
• Once approved, the card is dispatched and typically delivered within 5–7 business days to your registered address.

You can also apply directly via the ixigo app - the application flow is identical, optimised for mobile.