Choosing a credit card is no longer just about having a convenient payment option; it is about finding a card that rewards your spending in the right way. With several options available in the market, comparing cards based on their rewards, fees, lifestyle benefits, and overall value has become essential. The AU Laksya Credit Card and AU Ananta Credit Card are two offerings from AU Bank that cater to different spending preferences and benefit requirements. While both cards come with attractive rewards and privileges, their features and value propositions differ across key categories.
In this article, we will look at their fees, reward benefits, lifestyle and travel privileges, and other important features to help you determine which card could be the better fit for your spending needs.
Fee Structure Comparison
When it comes to fees, the AU Laksya Credit Card is the more affordable option. It has a joining fee and annual fee of ₹1,000 + GST each, while the AU Ananta Credit Card charges ₹2,000 + GST for both. However, the higher fee on Ananta can make sense for users who can make good use of its additional benefits. Laksya’s annual fee is waived if you spend ₹2 lakh in a year, whereas Ananta requires ₹3 lakh in annual spending for the waiver.
So, if you want a card with a lower cost and mostly use it for everyday spending, Laksya may be easier on your pocket. On the other hand, if you regularly spend more and can use Ananta’s travel, shopping, and milestone benefits, the higher annual fee could offer better value.
| Fee Details | AU Laksya Credit Card | AU Ananta Credit Card |
| Joining Fee | ₹1,000 + GST | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,000 + GST | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Spend ₹2 Lakh in a year | Spend ₹3 Lakh in a Year |
Welcome Benefits Comparison
The AU Ananta Credit Card offers a higher welcome benefit compared to the AU Laksya Credit Card. With Ananta, you get 8,000 Reward Points simply on activating the card, making it a straightforward benefit for new cardholders. Laksya, on the other hand, offers benefits worth ₹1,000 in the form of brand vouchers or 4,000 Reward Points. So, if you are mainly looking for a higher welcome reward with fewer conditions, Ananta has the edge, while Laksya gives you the flexibility to choose between vouchers and Reward Points.
Reward Points Comparison
When it comes to earning reward points, both AU Laksya and AU Ananta offer 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on selected categories, but the benefits are slightly different. With Laksya, you get 5 points on groceries, departmental stores, and contactless payments, making it a good choice for everyday shopping. Ananta, on the other hand, gives 5 points on shopping, dining, and travel, which can be more useful if you spend more on these categories. Ananta’s accelerated rewards are capped at 5,000 points per statement cycle. For other retail spends, both cards give 2 points per ₹100, while insurance, utility, and telecom payments earn 1 point per ₹100.
So, the better card depends on where you spend more. Laksya can be more rewarding for daily household and contactless spends, while Ananta may suit those who spend more on shopping, dining, and travel.
Partner Privileges Comparison
When it comes to partner offers, AU Laksya and AU Ananta take different approaches. Laksya is more useful for regular monthly expenses, as it offers a free movie ticket worth up to ₹250 when you book at least two tickets in a single transaction (minimum booking value ₹250). It also gives a 15% instant discount on food orders on Zomato, with a maximum discount of ₹250 per month on a minimum order value of ₹500. For grocery shopping, Laksya provides a 15% instant discount on Amazon Fresh and Amazon Now, again with a maximum saving of ₹250 per month on a minimum spend of ₹500. These offers are helpful if you regularly order food, watch movies, or buy groceries online.
On the other hand, the AU Ananta Credit Card focuses more on lifestyle, shopping, and travel savings. It offers up to 15% instant discount on Amazon Fashion with a maximum benefit of ₹500 per month, making it more rewarding for fashion shopping. For dining, users can get up to 15% instant discount on bills via the District App, with savings capped at ₹500 per month. Additionally, Ananta also provides up to 15% discount on hotel bookings through AU Rewardz, which is useful for frequent travellers.
So, if your spending is more around daily needs like food, movies, and groceries, Laksya gives more practical monthly savings up to ₹250 per offer. But if you spend more on shopping, dining out, or travel bookings, Ananta offers higher discount limits of up to ₹500 per month and better lifestyle value overall.
Airport Lounge Access Comparison
For airport lounge access, AU Ananta offers more visits, but Laksya has a simpler eligibility rule. With Laksya, you can get up to 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits in a year, with a maximum of 2 visits per quarter. However, you need to spend at least ₹50,000 in the current quarter to continue enjoying the benefit in the next quarter. Ananta offers up to 4 complimentary lounge visits every quarter, which can add up to 16 visits in a year, but you need to book a flight worth at least ₹5,000 through the AU Rewardz portal in that quarter to qualify. So, if you already spend ₹50,000 every quarter, Laksya can be convenient, while Ananta can be more rewarding for frequent flyers who are comfortable booking their flights through AU Rewardz.
| Lounge Access | AU Laksya Credit Card | AU Ananta Credit Card |
| Domestic Lounge Visits | Up to 8 visits per calendar year | Up to 4 visits per quarter |
| Maximum Visits | 2 visits per quarter | 4 visits per quarter |
| Eligibility | Spend ₹50,000 in the current quarter to qualify for the next quarter | Book flight tickets worth ₹5,000 or more through AU Rewardz in the same quarter |
Bottom Line
Both AU Laksya and AU Ananta Credit Cards offer useful benefits, but the better choice depends on how you spend and use your card. Laksya is a good option for those looking for a lower annual fee, everyday rewards, grocery and food discounts, and regular lounge access. Ananta comes with a higher fee but offers better welcome benefits, higher rewards on shopping, dining, and travel, and more lounge visits for frequent travelers. In simple terms, Laksya can be a better fit for regular day-to-day spending, while Ananta makes more sense if you spend more on travel, dining and shopping. Before choosing, compare the fees and benefits with your own spending habits to see which card gives you better value.