Free Lounge, 42% APR? Read Before You Apply

Paytm and AU Small Finance Bank launched a co-branded RuPay credit card with free family airport lounge access and Paytm rewards. Sounds great — but frequent travellers who carry a balance could pay far more in interest than any lounge perk saves them.

Here's what happened: Paytm and AU Small Finance Bank jointly launched a co-branded RuPay credit card offering reward points on Paytm app transactions including bill payments and recharges.. The card includes complimentary airport lounge access for the primary cardholder and family members, a benefit typically reserved for premium card tiers.. Being on the RuPay network means cardholders avoid the standard surcharge at fuel stations and can use it seamlessly on government payment portals..

What you should do: Check the full Most Important Terms and Conditions (MITC) document for the exact annual interest rate, joining fee, and renewal fee before applying — do not rely on the marketing brochure alone.. Calculate your real lounge savings: count how many airport trips you actually make per year, multiply by ₹1,000, and compare that total against what one month of revolving interest would cost you.. If you already carry credit card debt on any card, avoid adding a new card until your outstanding balance is fully cleared — multiple cards make debt management significantly harder..

Pro tip: RuPay credit cards can be linked to UPI — meaning you can earn credit card rewards on UPI QR-code payments, which Visa and Mastercard cards still cannot do in India.