IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge Card Review

When you move back to India, building credit from scratch is one of those annoying realities nobody warns you about.

Your 800 FICO score? Doesn’t matter here. Your years of responsible credit history in the US? The banks don’t care.

You’re essentially starting over.

That’s why I wanted to review the IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge Credit Card – it’s one of the entry-level cards that returned NRIs often end up with when rebuilding their credit in India.

Let me share what works, what doesn’t, and whether it makes sense for someone in your situation.

The Quick Summary

Feature	Details
Annual Fee	Lifetime Free
Joining Fee	Lifetime Free
Reward Rate	0.5 to 4 points per ₹100 (depends on plan)
Point Value	₹0.40-0.50 per point (cash redemption)
Forex Markup	3.5%
Fuel Surcharge Waiver	1% (₹400-₹4,000 transactions)
Airport Lounge Access	None
Minimum Income Required	₹25,000/month

My verdict: A decent starter card for returned NRIs with no credit history in India. Don’t expect premium benefits, but it gets the job done while you build your credit profile.

Why This Card Makes Sense for Returned NRIs

Let me be honest about the situation most of us face.

When you return to India after years abroad, you have no CIBIL score. Banks look at you like a fresh graduate applying for their first card.

The IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge is one of the easier cards to get approved for in this situation. Here’s why it works:

Lifetime free. No joining fee. No annual fee. Ever. This matters when you’re not sure how long you’ll keep the card.

Lower income requirement. At ₹25,000 per month, the bar is accessible. Many premium cards require ₹50,000+ monthly income with documented ITR history.

Helps build CIBIL score. Use it responsibly for 6-12 months, and you’ll have a credit history that opens doors to better cards.

Basic functionality works. Contactless payments, online transactions, international usage – it all works as expected.

For many in our community, this card has been a stepping stone. Use it to build credit, then upgrade to something better once your score is established.

The Reward Structure – Unique but Complicated

Here’s where the card gets interesting.

Instead of a flat reward rate, IndusInd offers four different “plans” based on your spending habits. You pick one when you activate the card.

Shop Plan

• 4 points per ₹100 on department stores
• 2 points per ₹100 on electronics and durables
• 1.5 points per ₹100 on restaurants and books
• 0.5 points per ₹100 on everything else

Home Plan

• 4 points per ₹100 on groceries
• 2 points per ₹100 on utility bills
• 1.5 points per ₹100 on insurance premiums
• 0.5 points per ₹100 on everything else

Travel Plan

• 4 points per ₹100 on hotel bookings
• 2 points per ₹100 on airline tickets
• 1.5 points per ₹100 on travel agencies
• 0.5 points per ₹100 on everything else

Party Plan

• 4 points per ₹100 on restaurants
• 2 points per ₹100 on movie tickets
• 1.5 points per ₹100 on pubs and bars
• 0.5 points per ₹100 on everything else

The catch: You can only change your plan once every 6 months.

My take: Most returned NRIs should pick the Home Plan. Groceries and utility bills are consistent monthly expenses. You’ll actually earn meaningful rewards instead of hoping to hit specific merchant categories.

What Those Rewards Are Actually Worth

Let’s do the math because the reward rates look good on paper but reality is different.

Each reward point is worth ₹0.40 when redeemed as cash credit (statement credit).

So if you earn 4 points per ₹100 on groceries (Home Plan), that’s:

• 4 points × ₹0.40 = ₹1.60 back on ₹100 spent
• Effective cashback: 1.6%

On “other spends” where you earn only 0.5 points per ₹100:

• 0.5 points × ₹0.40 = ₹0.20 back on ₹100 spent
• Effective cashback: 0.2%

That 0.2% on general spending is pretty weak. Cards like HDFC Millennia or Amazon Pay ICICI give you 1-1.5% on everything.

Important limitation: Maximum 2,500 reward points can be redeemed for cash per month. That’s ₹1,000 worth. If you’re a heavy spender, your points will pile up with limited redemption options.

The Forex Markup – Not Great for International Use

If you still shop on US websites or have subscriptions in dollars, pay attention to this.

The card charges a 3.5% forex markup on international transactions.

That’s on the higher side. Cards like Niyo Global or BookMyForex offer 0-1.5% markup.

For a $100 purchase, you’d pay roughly ₹300 extra just in forex fees with this card.

My recommendation: Don’t use this card for international transactions. Keep a zero-forex card for those purchases, and use this one for domestic spending only.

I’ve covered better options for international spending in our guide on credit cards for returning NRIs.

Fuel Benefits – Decent for Daily Commutes

If you’re driving regularly, the fuel surcharge waiver helps.

You get 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000. Maximum benefit is ₹100 per billing cycle.

Quick calculation:

• You spend ₹3,000 on fuel
• Normal surcharge would be ₹30 (1%)
• This card waives that ₹30

It’s not life-changing, but it adds up over months.

Note: Fuel transactions don’t earn reward points. So don’t expect points + waiver both.

Insurance Coverage – Basic but Useful

The card comes with complimentary insurance:

Personal Air Accident Cover: ₹25 lakhs

Lost Card Liability Protection: If your card is stolen and misused, you’re covered for unauthorized transactions – provided you report the loss within 48 hours.

Travel Insurance: Covers lost baggage, delayed baggage, lost passport, and missed connections when you book travel with the card.

For a free card, this insurance is reasonable. Not comprehensive, but better than nothing.

What’s Missing – The Reality Check

Let me be straight about what this card doesn’t offer:

No airport lounge access. If you travel frequently, you’ll need a separate card for lounges.

No complimentary movie tickets. Some sources mention BookMyShow benefits, but I couldn’t verify this is still active. Don’t count on it.

No significant welcome benefits. You might get some brand vouchers (Domino’s, Nykaa, etc.) but nothing substantial.

Low credit limit initially. Expect ₹30,000 to ₹1.5 lakhs to start. For someone used to $20,000+ limits in the US, this feels restrictive.

Redemption caps limit value. The 2,500 points/month cash redemption cap means heavy spenders can’t fully utilize their earnings.

How It Compares to Other Entry-Level Cards

When you’re starting fresh in India, here’s how the Aura Edge stacks up:

Card	Annual Fee	Best Reward Rate	Forex Markup
IndusInd Aura Edge	Free	1.6% (category)	3.5%
Amazon Pay ICICI	Free	5% on Amazon	3.5%
Flipkart Axis	Free	5% on Flipkart	3.5%
HDFC Millennia	₹1,000 (waivable)	5% on select	3.5%
SBI SimplyCLICK	₹499 (waivable)	10x on partners	3.5%

My take: If you shop heavily on Amazon or Flipkart, those co-branded cards offer better value. But they also need some credit history to approve.

The Aura Edge is easier to get approved when you have zero credit history in India. Use it as a bridge card.

Who Should Get This Card

This card makes sense if you:

• Recently returned to India with no CIBIL score
• Need a starter card to build credit history
• Want something lifetime free with no annual fee pressure
• Have consistent grocery/utility spending (Home Plan)
• Don’t mind limited premium benefits

This card doesn’t make sense if you:

• Already have established credit in India
• Need airport lounge access
• Make frequent international transactions
• Want high flat-rate cashback on all spending
• Expect premium travel benefits

How to Apply

The process is straightforward:

1. Visit IndusInd Bank’s website or walk into a branch
2. Choose the Aura Edge card
3. Submit KYC documents (PAN, Aadhaar, address proof)
4. Provide income proof (salary slips or ITR)
5. Wait for approval (usually 7-14 days)

Tip for returned NRIs: If you have an existing IndusInd savings account, approval is faster. Some members in our community opened a savings account first, maintained it for 3-6 months, then applied for the credit card with better success.

My Honest Assessment

The IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge isn’t an exciting card. It won’t give you lounge access, massive cashback, or premium perks.

But that’s not what it’s for.

For returned NRIs rebuilding credit in India, it’s a practical starting point. It’s free, it works, and it helps you build the CIBIL score you need for better cards later.

I’d treat it as a 12-18 month solution. Use it responsibly, pay your bills on time, build your credit score to 750+, and then upgrade to something with better rewards and benefits.

Think of it as your “training wheels” card for the Indian credit system.

Tips for Maximizing This Card

If you do get the Aura Edge, here’s how to get the most from it:

1. Choose the Home Plan – Groceries and utilities are consistent spending categories
2. Don’t use it internationally – The 3.5% markup hurts. Get a separate card for forex transactions
3. Pay full balance monthly – The 47.4% annual interest rate will destroy any rewards value if you carry a balance
4. Track your redemption cap – Remember, only 2,500 points can be redeemed for cash monthly
5. Use it consistently – Regular usage and on-time payments build your CIBIL score faster
6. Request credit limit increase after 6 months – Once you have payment history, ask for a higher limit

Wrapping Up

The IndusInd Platinum Aura Edge is a functional entry-level card for returned NRIs navigating India’s credit system.

It won’t wow you with benefits, but it will help you build the credit history you need. And in those first months back, that’s often what matters most.

Once you’ve established your CIBIL score, you can move on to cards with better rewards, lounge access, and premium benefits.

Key takeaways:

• Lifetime free with no annual fees
• Choose Home Plan for best everyday value
• Avoid international transactions (3.5% forex markup)
• Use it to build credit, then upgrade later
• Expect modest benefits – this isn’t a premium card

If you’re figuring out credit cards, banking, or finances after your return, join our WhatsApp community at backtoindia.com/groups. Over 20,000 returned NRIs sharing real experiences – including which cards worked for them and which didn’t. It’s free and volunteer-run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get this card without a CIBIL score?

Yes, this is one of the cards that approves applicants with limited or no credit history. Having an existing IndusInd savings account improves your chances.

What credit limit should I expect?

Initial limits typically range from ₹30,000 to ₹1.5 lakhs depending on your income documentation and any existing relationship with the bank.

Can I change my reward plan?

Yes, but only once every 6 months. Choose carefully when you activate the card.

Is this card good for building credit?

Yes. Use it for 6-12 months, pay on time, keep utilization below 30%, and your CIBIL score will improve significantly.

Does this card have a joining fee?

No. When applied online, it’s completely free – no joining fee and no annual fee ever.

Can I use this card abroad?

Technically yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. The 3.5% forex markup makes international purchases expensive. Use a zero-forex card instead for international spending.