CheQ AU Vs CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card

In today’s digital payments space, platforms like CheQ and CRED have gone beyond just helping users pay their credit card bills. Both companies have teamed up with banks to launch their own co-branded credit cards. CheQ has partnered with AU First Bank and launched the CheQ AU Bank Credit Card, and CRED has collaborated with IndusInd Bank and launched the CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card.

The CheQ AU Bank Credit Card is India’s first LED-enabled credit card that lights up with each payment. With this card, you can earn up to rewards on top brands, travel, and bill payments, as well as on everyday spending like shopping and dining. The card is available in both Visa and RuPay versions and comes with a complimentary EazyDiner membership as a welcome gift.

The CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card is great for online shopping and UPI payments. When you use it, you can earn CRED Points on every purchase made on e-commerce, CRED UPI, CRED Store, CRED Pay, and CRED Travel. You can also earn CRED Points on utilities and insurance.

With both options targeting similar users, comparing them can help you understand which card offers better value and fits your needs more easily.

On the Basis of the Joining Fee and Welcome Benefits

When looking at the two credit cards, the differences are clear. The CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card has no joining fee. In contrast, the CheQ AU Credit Card has a joining fee of ₹499, and the user has to pay ₹999 for the LED feature, though this fee is waived until May 31, 2026, for existing CheQ usAers. Both cards have an annual fee of ₹499 + GST.

The main difference is in the welcome benefits; the CRED IndusInd card doesn’t offer any special welcome perks, while the CheQ AU Credit Card gives you a free EazyDiner membership for three months, which is worth ₹695.

The CRED IndusInd card is cheaper to start with, but the CheQ AU card gives you more value with its welcome offer.

On the Basis of Reward Structure

When comparing the CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card and the CheQ AU Small Finance Bank Credit Card, the key difference lies in how rewards are earned. The CRED card gives you 5 CRED Points for every ₹100 spent in selected categories like e-commerce, CRED app transactions, CRED UPI, and transactions at CRED Store, CRED Travel, and CRED Pay, but it caps at 5,000 points, and CRED Points are valid for a period of 24 months.

In contrast, the CheQ card offers up to 24 points per ₹200 for partner brands, 10 points per ₹200 on popular online shopping, 5 CheQ Points for every ₹200 spent on CheQ UPI transactions, and 2 CheQ Points for other spends.

The CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card offers a better rewards structure for everyday spending, like online shopping and CRED app payments, with a straightforward reward rate. In contrast, the CheQ AU Credit Card gives higher rewards only with select partners and lower rewards on regular purchases, making it less valuable for general use.

On the Basis of Reward Redemption

When you compare the reward redemption of the CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card and the CheQ AU Credit Card, the main difference comes down to how much value you get per point and where you can use those points.

The value of CRED Points is simple: when used for flights, hotels, or shopping on the CRED platform, each point is worth ₹1. For bill payments, each point is worth ₹0.50. However, you can only use these points within the CRED platforms, which limits your options.

On the other hand, the CheQ AU Credit Card gives you CheQ Points that are a bit less valuable. For travel and shopping, 2 points equal ₹1, and for bill payments, 4 points equal ₹1, which makes the effective value lower compared to CRED. However, CheQ gives you more flexibility in terms of redemption options like gift cards, travel, and bill payments, all within its app.

In simple terms, CRED gives you better value per point, especially for travel and shopping, but keeps you locked into its platform. CheQ offers more variety in redemption, but at a lower value per point.

Reward Earning Exclusions

CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card	CheQ AU Small Finance
School and Education Services Government Institutions Wallet Loads Rent Jewelry Fuel Quasi-Cash or Cash Withdrawals	Wallet reloads Jewelry & Gold Rental payments/ Real estate Insurance Education Govt services Fuel Utilities

Quick Comparison

Benefits	CRED IndusInd Bank RuPay Credit Card	CheQ AU Small Finance
Joining Fee	N/A	₹499 + GST
Annual Fee	₹499 + GST	₹499 + GST
Welcome Benefit	N/A	Complimentary EazyDiner Membership for 3 months (Worth ₹695 )
Reward Rate	5 CRED Points/₹100 spent for e-commerce transactions. 5 CRED Points/₹100 for CRED Travel, CRED Pay, and CRED Store transactions. 5 CRED Points/₹100 for UPI transactions with CRED UPI. 1 CRED Point/₹100 spent for CRED UPI Scan & Pay transactions 1 CRED Point/₹100 spent for utilities and insurance via CRED.	24 CheQ Points/₹200 Spent on Apple, Amazon, Flipkart, Zomato, BigBasket, CheQ Travel, and Utility Bill Payments Through the CheQ App. Get 10 CheQ Points/₹200 Spent on Online Shopping, Food Delivery, Groceries, and Travel Bookings Across India’s Leading Brands. 5 CheQ Points/₹200 on CheQ UPI Transactions, 2 CheQ Points/₹200 for Other Spends.

Bottom Line

In the end, both cards are built for people who are already active on their respective platforms, so the better choice really depends on how you spend. If you use CRED regularly for payments, shopping, or travel, the CRED IndusInd card feels more straightforward and gives better value per point without any joining cost.

On the other hand, the CheQ AU card stands out with its unique LED feature and welcome perks, and it can be useful if you prefer having more redemption options, even if the point value is slightly lower. If you want simplicity and stronger rewards on everyday spends, CRED has the edge, but if you like extra perks and don’t mind putting in a bit more effort to maximize rewards, CheQ can still be a good pick.