Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs AU Zenith Credit Card vs HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, AU Zenith Credit Card, HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card — annual fees, reward rates, income eligibility, and estimated net annual value on the same spend profile.
At a glance (moderate spend)
Quick verdict: On moderate spend, HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card by about ₹3,780/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | AU Zenith Credit Card AU Small Finance Bank | HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card HDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | ₹7,999 | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | No waiver published | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹75,000/mo | ₹15,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | -₹6,737/yr | ₹5,430/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Fuel | — | — | 5% cashback → ₹200/mo (₹2,400/yr) |
| Travel | — | 3 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹50/mo (₹600/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 3X points/₹150 | 5% cashback |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | ₹250 rewards/mo cap |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | Unlimited domestic lounge access · Premium AU tier — no spend milestone stated for lounge in public benefits | None |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: 5% cashback on select categories; 1% on other spends · cap ₹250/month fuel cashback cap |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | EMI · Fuel · Rent | EMI · Rent · Wallet loads · Insurance |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Which card has the lower annual fee?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card has a ₹0 annual fee (lifetime free or zero-fee tier).
- Which card earns more on moderate spend?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹5,430/yr net annual value on moderate spend.
- Which card has the lower income requirement?
- HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card lists a minimum monthly income of ₹15,000.
- Does this comparison pull my credit score?
- No. CardHungry estimates net value from public fee and reward rules only — no bureau check.
Customize your spend
Change spend profile or swap cards — results update live below.
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
American Express
AU Zenith Credit Card
AU Small Finance Bank
HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card
HDFC Bank
Your adjusted comparison
| Feature | American ExpressGold American Express SmartEarn Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts American Express SmartEarn Credit Card Top reward10X Membership Rewards Annual fee₹495 Min income₹25,000/mo Tap to flip back American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | AU Small Finance BankPlatinum AU Zenith Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts AU Zenith Credit Card Top reward3X points/₹150 Annual fee₹7,999 Min income₹75,000/mo Tap to flip back AU Zenith Credit Card AU Small Finance Bank | HDFC BankClassic HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card Top reward5% cashback Annual feeLifetime Free Min income₹15,000/mo Tap to flip back HDFC Bharat Cashback Credit Card HDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | ₹7,999 | Lifetime free |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | No waiver published | Lifetime free |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹75,000/mo | ₹15,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | -₹6,737/yr | ₹5,430/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Fuel | — | — | 5% cashback → ₹200/mo (₹2,400/yr) |
| Travel | — | 3 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹50/mo (₹600/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 3X points/₹150 | 5% cashback |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | No monthly cap published | ₹250 rewards/mo cap |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | Unlimited domestic lounge access · Premium AU tier — no spend milestone stated for lounge in public benefits | None |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Earns: 5% cashback on select categories; 1% on other spends · cap ₹250/month fuel cashback cap |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | EMI · Fuel · Rent | EMI · Rent · Wallet loads · Insurance |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-au-zenith-vs-hdfc-bharatMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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