HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs AU Bank Zenith
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins 5-2. Marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 Bonvoy points on Marriott + 2 elsewhere. AU Bank Zenith is still the right call if underrated mid-premium — punches above its fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | AU Bank Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹7,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹7,500 |
| Top reward rate | · 8% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | = 2% | = 2% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = 7,500 reward points + Vistara Premium Economy ticket |
| Fee waiver threshold | = ₹800,000 / yr | = ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,500,000 | ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 770 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
AU Bank Zenith
- 10 ZenPoints per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 2 ZenPoints per ₹100 on general spend
- 8 complimentary international lounge visits per quarter
- 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits / year
- Annual milestone: free domestic flight at ₹6L spend
- 4 free golf rounds/quarter at 250+ courses
FAQ
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs AU Bank Zenith: which is better?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy wins on more dimensions (5 vs 2). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories, AU Bank Zenith for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. AU Bank Zenith: 7,500 reward points + Vistara Premium Economy ticket.