Finance

YES Bank vs AU Bank Credit Cards: Compare UPI Cashback in 2026

YES Bank vs AU Bank Credit Card is a useful comparison for users who want a RuPay card for everyday UPI spending and UPI Cashback. Both banks offer RuPay credit cards that can be linked with supported UPI apps, and both work with Kiwi for digital-first card issuance.

For users focused mainly on merchant QR payments, the experience can look very similar. However, differences in reward points, card upgrade options, banking relationships, forex charges, and credit limits can influence which issuer is more suitable.

Which Cards Are Being Compared?

For a UPI-focused comparison, the main cards are:

YES Bank

  • YES Bank Klick Card issued through Kiwi
  • YES Bank POP Club as another option with different reward benefits

AU Small Finance Bank

  • AU Bank RuPay Credit Card issued through Kiwi
  • AU Bank LIT Credit Card with customisable benefits

The YES Bank Klick and AU Bank RuPay cards available through Kiwi share similar UPI-focused benefits, but the underlying cards are issued by different banks.

YES Bank vs AU Bank Credit Card: Quick Comparison

Feature YES Bank Klick via Kiwi AU Bank RuPay via Kiwi
Network RuPay RuPay
Joining Fee ₹0 ₹0
Annual Fee Lifetime free Lifetime free
UPI Scan & Pay Cashback 1.5% 1.5%
Online Payment Cashback 0.5% 0.5%
Neon Higher Cashback Up to 5% subject to conditions Up to 5% subject to conditions
Cashback Delivery Bank withdrawal Bank withdrawal
Lounge Access Up to 3/year with Neon Up to 3/year with Neon
Fuel Surcharge Waiver 1% on eligible transactions 1% on eligible transactions
Issuer YES Bank AU Small Finance Bank

For pure UPI usage through Kiwi, both cards provide a very similar structure.

Where YES Bank Has an Advantage

Wider Credit Card Portfolio

YES Bank offers a broader range of credit cards across different spending and income segments.

Users may be able to move to premium variants later if their income, spending, or travel requirements increase.

Examples from the YES Bank ecosystem include:

  • ELITE+
  • RESERV
  • MARQUÉE

This can make YES Bank more relevant for users who want a long-term upgrade path.

Rewards on Non-UPI Spending

The YES Bank Klick Card also provides reward points on eligible non-UPI transactions.

According to the source, users can earn 2 reward points per ₹200 on applicable non-UPI spends.

This adds an additional reward layer for users who use the physical or online card outside UPI.

Premium Upgrade Options

Some higher-tier YES Bank cards offer additional benefits such as airport lounge access and lower forex markup.

Users who eventually want premium travel features may find this broader ecosystem useful.

Where AU Bank Has an Advantage

Existing AU Bank Relationship

Users who already have an AU Small Finance Bank savings account or other products may find it more convenient to keep their credit card within the same banking relationship.

This can simplify account management and bill payments.

Strong Presence in Selected Markets

AU Bank has a notable presence in Rajasthan and several semi-urban and tier-2 or tier-3 markets.

Users who value access to physical branches may prefer AU Bank if its network is stronger in their location.

LIT Card Customisation

AU Bank’s LIT Credit Card allows users to customise selected reward categories.

This can be useful for people whose spending is concentrated in specific categories instead of general UPI transactions.

Is There a Difference in UPI Cashback?

For cards issued through Kiwi, the core UPI Cashback structure is largely similar.

Both cards provide:

  • 1.5% cashback on eligible UPI Scan & Pay transactions
  • 0.5% cashback on eligible online transactions
  • Higher cashback through Kiwi Neon
  • Up to 5% cashback after meeting applicable milestone conditions
  • Lounge benefits through eligible Neon membership
  • Cashback that can be transferred to a bank account

This means the issuing bank may matter less for users whose main goal is simply earning cashback from everyday UPI merchant payments.

What Can Differ Between YES Bank and AU Bank?

Credit Limit

Each bank uses its own underwriting model.

The credit limit offered by YES Bank may therefore be different from the limit provided by AU Bank, even for the same applicant.

Approval Chances

Approval criteria are independent.

A user who does not qualify with one bank may still qualify with the other, depending on income, credit history, internal policies, and other eligibility factors.

Banking Relationship

Users who already hold a savings account with one of the banks may prefer that issuer for easier management and potentially smoother service.

Non-UPI Benefits

Differences become more noticeable when users spend outside UPI.

YES Bank offers reward points on selected non-UPI transactions, while AU Bank benefits can vary depending on the specific variant.

International Spending

YES Bank Klick carries a forex markup of around 2.75% according to the supplied source.

AU Bank forex markup can vary by card variant.

Users who regularly spend internationally should compare the applicable forex charges before choosing either card.

For frequent international transactions, this factor may matter more than UPI cashback.

Credit Card Bill Payment

Both banks support commonly used repayment methods such as:

  • UPI
  • NEFT
  • Net banking
  • Auto-debit

The exact repayment setup and bank account details differ by issuer.

Users should follow the payment instructions provided by the issuing bank to avoid delays.

Fees and Charges

Both Kiwi-issued cards are stated to have:

  • Zero joining fee
  • Zero annual fee
  • Lifetime-free base card structure

However, other charges such as interest, late payment fees, forex charges, and applicable surcharges are determined by the individual issuing bank.

Lifetime free therefore refers mainly to joining and annual card fees, not every possible charge.

Which Card Should You Choose?

Consider YES Bank Klick If:

  • You want access to a broader credit card ecosystem
  • You may upgrade to premium cards later
  • You want reward points on eligible non-UPI spending
  • You already have a YES Bank relationship

Consider AU Bank RuPay If:

  • You already bank with AU Small Finance Bank
  • AU Bank has stronger branch presence in your area
  • You prefer AU Bank’s overall banking relationship
  • You may be interested in customisable card options such as LIT

For Pure UPI Cashback

For users starting without an existing relationship with either bank, the UPI experience through Kiwi is very similar.

In that case, approval, credit limit, and overall banking preference may become the deciding factors.

Conclusion

The YES Bank vs AU Bank Credit Card comparison is quite close when the cards are used mainly through Kiwi for UPI Cashback. Both offer 1.5% cashback on eligible Scan & Pay transactions, lifetime-free base cards, bank-withdrawable cashback, and access to higher Neon benefits under applicable conditions.

YES Bank has an advantage in its broader credit card ecosystem and non-UPI rewards, while AU Bank may appeal more to users who already bank with it or prefer its branch presence and customisable products.

For everyday UPI spending, the practical difference is relatively small, so users should compare approval eligibility, credit limit, additional card features, and overall banking relationship before deciding.

FAQs

Which Gives Better UPI Cashback, YES Bank or AU Bank?

Both Kiwi-issued cards provide 1.5% cashback on eligible UPI Scan & Pay transactions under the stated terms.

Are YES Bank and AU Bank Kiwi Cards Lifetime Free?

Yes, both are stated to have zero joining and annual fees under their base card structure.

Can Both YES Bank and AU Bank RuPay Cards Be Linked to UPI Apps?

Yes, eligible RuPay cards from both issuers can be linked to supported UPI apps for qualifying merchant payments.