India has taken another big step in digital payments with a unique innovation. CheQ and AU Small Finance Bank have launched the country’s first LED-powered co-branded credit card.
This new card stands out not just for its premium look, but also for the smart technology it brings to everyday payments.
A Card That Lights Up When You Pay
The most eye-catching feature of this card is its Tap-to-Pay LED system.
Whenever you tap the card at a payment machine, a small LED light inside the card turns on. This makes the payment process more interactive and clearly shows that the transaction is happening.
Interestingly, the card does not need a battery. It gets power directly from the NFC (Near Field Communication) signal of the POS machine. This makes it both innovative and practical at the same time.
UPI Support with Simple Rewards
The card runs on the RuPay network, which means you can link it easily with UPI apps like Google Pay and PhonePe.
This allows you to use the credit card even for small daily payments while earning rewards.
Instead of complicated reward systems, users get CheQ Points. These points are simple to track and easy to redeem, making the experience much smoother than traditional credit cards.
Fees, Offers, and How to Apply
You can apply for this card through the CheQ app starting April 28, 2026.
Annual fee: ₹499
Fee waiver: If you spend ₹3 lakh in a year
LED card charge: ₹999 (free for existing CheQ users till May 31, 2026)
Along with this, users also get a free membership of EazyDiner worth ₹695, adding extra value.
Why This Launch Matters
This launch is important because it marks CheQ’s expansion beyond bill payments into the credit card space.
The company has used insights from over 4 million users and 15 million credit cards to design this product. The goal is to offer a more modern, simple, and unified experience to users.
Overall, this LED-powered credit card is not just about looks—it represents how digital payments in India are becoming smarter, faster, and more user-friendly.
