Termed as “India’s most Rewarding Travel Credit Card” by AU Bank, the ixigo AU Credit Card is one of the most popular lifetime free travel card offerings in India. The ixigo AU Credit Card is highly valued among credit card enthusiasts for its benefits related to flights, hotels, and train bookings. However, it has recently undergone both devaluations and revaluations concerning its offered benefits. Previously known for being one of the best options for Forex spending and providing free airport lounge access, the card has revised its reward structure. As of December 2024, it no longer offers rewards for international spending.
Even after the December 2024 devaluation, the bank has now made further changes to the card.
Starting April 1, 2025, AU Bank will further devalue the ixigo co-branded credit card by introducing a spend requirement of ₹20,000 to access the airport lounges. Although the domestic airport lounge access program is affected, there is no change to the international airport lounge access program via Priority Pass. Additionally, the card will offer reduced rewards for train bookings made with it. For a complete overview of all the changes affecting the ixigo AU Credit Card, please read the full article.
Spend Based Domestic Airport Lounge Access
AU Bank shall implement a spending requirement for free airport lounge access from 1st April 2025. Those who wish to access airport lounges for free with the ixigo AU Credit Card shall need to spend ₹20,000 in a calendar quarter to be eligible for the same. This move is parallel to other credit card issuers in India that have implemented similar criteria and requirements.
| Current | From 1st April 2025 |
| No Required Spending for Airport Lounge Access | Spend ₹20,000 in a Calendar Quarter to be Eligible for Domestic Airport Lounge Access |
Cardholders will become eligible for domestic airport lounge access within two days of meeting the eligibility criteria. Earlier (From 1st January 2025) this criteria was implemented for all AU Credit Cards except Zenith+ and ixigo AU. Now from 1st April 2025, even ixigo AU Credit Cardholders would need to meet the spending requirement.
Reduced Rewards for Train Bookings
Along with the domestic airport lounge access program, AU Bank has also made changes to the reward structure for train bookings made with the ixigo AU Credit Card. Both these changes will affect the majority of cardholders as travelling by train is still the most popular mode of transport in our country.
No More Accelerated Reward Points for Train Bookings
This is one of the major changes to the reward structure of the AU ixigo credit card as it no longer offers accelerated reward points for train bookings made on ixigo. Cardholders shall now earn only base Reward Points.
| Current Reward Rate for Train Bookings | New Reward Rate from 1st April 2025 |
| 20 Reward Points/₹200 Spent on Train/Railway Bookings With ixigo | 10 Reward Points/₹200 Spent on Train/Railway Bookings With ixigo |
Changes to Waiver of PG Charges for Train Bookings
| Current | From 1st April 2025 |
| 2 Each Month | 2 (ixigo Trains) + 2 (Confirmed Tickets) |
Is AU ixigo Credit Card Worth Applying for in 2025?
The AU ixigo Credit Card remains a great option for travelers, offering benefits such as zero foreign exchange (Forex) charges, complimentary access to domestic and international lounges, and various rewards and discounts on travel bookings. However, recent devaluations have begun to affect the user experience and overall value derived from the card.
Despite these changes, it is still regarded as a good option for individuals seeking a lifetime free credit card.
In addition to the devaluations, the restriction of allowing only one AU Bank Credit Card per person has deterred many users from choosing this card. As larger issuers like HDFC, Axis, and ICICI innovate with their travel offers, it would be beneficial for AU Bank to reconsider this policy to enhance its appeal.