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AU Altura Credit Card VS AU Spont Credit Card VS Axis Bank Freecharge Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 3 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.

Features

AU Altura Credit Card
AU Altura Credit Card
AU Spont Credit Card
AU Spont Credit Card
Axis Bank Freecharge Credit Card
Axis Bank Freecharge Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee
₹199 + GST
₹299 + GST
₹250 + GST
Renewal Fee
₹199 + GST
₹299 + GST
₹250 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
1st year fee waiver: ₹10,000 retail spends in 90 days. Subsequent year: ₹40,000 retail spends.
Not applicable
Annual fee waived on spending Rs. 50,000 or more in the preceding card anniversary year.
Foreign Transaction Fees
3.49% on all international spends.
3.5%
3.5% of the transacted amount
Interest Rate (APR)
3.49% per month.
3.75% per month (45% per annum)
3.6% per month

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
A cashback of 5% on retail spends within the first 60 days of card setup.
Earn 500 coins on first UPI transaction via AU 0101 App & a Complimentary Lifetime-Free Add-on Card.
Welcome gift vouchers worth up to Rs. 700.
Rewards Rate
2% cashback on select retail spends (max ₹50/cycle), 1% on other retail spends (max ₹50/cycle).
1% Cashback on all UPI, eComm, POS, and Contactless transactions, capped at ₹500 per cycle.
5% cashback on Freecharge spends, 2% on local commute, 1% on all other spends.
Reward Type
Cashback
Cashback
Cashback
Reward Redemption Fee
Nil
Not applicable
Nil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access
2 complimentary railway lounge accesses per quarter in select cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad.
2 complimentary visits to Domestic Airport Lounges per quarter on ₹20,000 spends per quarter.
Not Applicable
International Lounge Access
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Travel Benefits
2 complimentary railway lounge accesses per quarter for primary and add-on cardholders.
Complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge access and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
Up to 15% off on flights & hotels via Goibibo/MakeMyTrip every Wednesday; Rs. 100 credit on Shuttl.
Movie Benefits
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
50% off on an annual subscription on Eros Now.
Dining Benefits
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Up to Rs. 100 credit monthly on Fresh menu & Axis Bank Dining Delights Program offers.
Golf Benefits
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Not Applicable
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% waiver on fuel transactions (₹400-₹5000), max ₹100 per statement cycle.
1% waiver for transactions between ₹400-₹5,000, capped at ₹100 per statement cycle.
1% waiver on fuel transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 4,000.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Zero liability for lost cards & fraud. Free insurance and extended warranty on mobile & electronics.
Card Liability Cover against fraudulent transactions, counterfeiting, skimming, and online frauds.
Not Applicable
Cash Advance Charges
₹100 or 2.5% of cash amount, whichever is higher.
2.5% of withdrawn amount or ₹500, whichever is higher.
2.5% of amount withdrawn, subject to a minimum of Rs. 500.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

AU Altura Credit Card

AU Spont Credit Card

Axis Bank Freecharge Credit Card

Who is it for?

The AU Altura Credit Card is a cashback-focused card offering significant savings on daily spending. It provides cashback on groceries, utility bills, and other retail purchases, along with complimentary railway lounge access. Designed for diverse spending habits, it's an excellent choice for individuals starting their credit journey, offering robust card liability cover and various other benefits.

Who is it for?

The AU Spont Credit Card is a new offering from AU Bank, ideal for UPI and small payments. It provides a straightforward 1% cashback on various spends, capped at ₹500 monthly. With low fees and complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge access, it's an accessible option for those seeking a foundational credit card with valuable travel perks and digital transaction benefits, making it excellent for first-time users.

Who is it for?

The Axis Bank Freecharge Plus Credit Card is designed for individuals seeking cashback on Freecharge app spends, daily commute, and utility payments. It offers substantial savings with a nominal joining fee and flexible reward redemption. Cardholders benefit from instant virtual card issuance, secure online transactions, and exclusive dining and shopping offers, making it a valuable low-fee option.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers amazing cashback on everyday spending categories with minimal annual fees.

Ideal for new credit users seeking a pocket-friendly card with good savings.

Enjoy complimentary railway lounge access, enhancing your travel experience.

Benefit from zero liability protection against various fraudulent card transactions.

Free lifetime add-on cards make sharing benefits with family easy.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers a consistent 1% cashback across UPI, eComm, POS, and contactless spends.

Includes complimentary domestic airport and railway lounge access for travelers.

Provides a Lifetime-Free Add-on Card, sharing benefits with family members easily.

Features a very low joining and annual renewal fee of only ₹299 plus GST.

Accessible entry-level option with a minimum income requirement of just ₹10,000.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

5% cashback on Freecharge app spends offers significant savings on utility payments and recharges.

Affordable joining and renewal fees make it a cost-effective credit card option.

Instant virtual card issuance on Freecharge app ensures secure and convenient online transactions.

Provides good value for daily commute and specific online shopping platforms like Swiggy and Amazon.

Annual fee waiver on achieving reasonable spend targets adds to its overall value proposition.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Cashback earnings are capped at a low INR 50 per statement cycle per category.

Several common spending categories are excluded from earning any cashback benefits.

Complimentary lounge access is limited only to railway stations, not airports.

High foreign currency markup of 3.49% on all international transactions.

Fuel surcharge waiver is capped at a relatively low INR 100 per month.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The monthly cashback is capped at ₹500, limiting benefits for high spenders.

Requires a substantial ₹50,000 monthly spend to maximize cashback potential.

Lacks a clear spend-based waiver option for the annual renewal fee.

Cashback is not earned on essential spends like fuel, rent, and insurance payments.

Limited explicit welcome benefits, mainly an initial bonus for one UPI transaction.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Limited variety of benefits compared to premium cards available in the market.

High foreign currency markup of 3.5% makes international spends less rewarding.

Cash advance charges of 2.5% (min Rs. 500) are relatively high for emergencies.

Interest rates at 3.6% per month are standard but can quickly accumulate if balances are carried.

Milestone benefits are tied to Edge Rewards, which may not appeal to pure cashback seekers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.