Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review

Issuer: Axis Bank

Fee

Joining Fee: Rs 5000+GST Annual Fee: Rs 5000+GST (waived: false)

Type

Airmiles

Return

1% to 10%

Network

Visa

Benefits

Milestone Rewards, Domestic Airport Lounge Access, International Airport Lounge Access, Fuel Surcharge Waiver

The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is a niche offering in the crowded credit card market, focusing on airmiles instead of cashback or general rewards. This card earns "EDGE Miles," a unique reward currency that can be transferred to various airline and hotel partners. With attractive milestone benefits and a tier system, the Atlas aims to be a competitive option for those seeking to maximize their travel rewards.

Fees

The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card comes with a joining fee of Rs 5000+GST, which is the same as its annual fee of Rs 5000+GST. A welcome benefit of 2500 EDGE miles is awarded after completing three transactions within the first 60 days of card issuance. The value of these miles is quite high, potentially exceeding the joining fee when transferred to certain partner programs. The renewal benefit offers additional EDGE Miles based on the tier achieved through spending, further enhancing the card's value for high spenders.

Perks

The Atlas card offers some enticing perks. Cardholders enjoy milestone rewards based on their spending, encouraging them to reach higher tiers. Access to domestic and international airport lounges is available based on the tier level, providing a comfortable travel experience. Additionally, the card offers a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs 400 and Rs 4000, helping cardholders save on fuel expenses.

Rewards

Here's a breakdown of the EDGE Miles earn rates: | Spend Category | Earn Rate || -------------- | --------- || Travel (Airlines, Hotels and Travel EDGE Portal) | 5 EDGE Miles/Rs 100 (up to Rs 2 Lakh/calendar month), 2 EDGE Miles/Rs 100 (above Rs 2 Lakh/calendar month) || Other Spends | 2 EDGE Miles/Rs 100 || Fuel Surcharge Waiver Transactions | 0 EDGE Miles || Silver Renewal Benefit | 0 EDGE Miles || Gold Renewal Benefit | 2500 EDGE Miles || Platinum Renewal Benefit | 5000 EDGE Miles | The 5 EDGE Miles per Rs 100 on travel spends is the most attractive feature, especially on direct spends with airlines and hotels. Other transactions earn a solid 2 EDGE Miles per Rs 100, making the card rewarding for everyday use. Remember, transactions on Gold/Jewellery, Rent, Wallet, Government Institutions, Insurance, Fuel, and Utilities merchants will not be eligible for rewards.

Renewal Benefit

The Axis Bank Atlas offers EDGE Miles benefits based on the tier achieved during renewal. For example, reaching the Platinum tier, after spending Rs 15 Lakhs in a year, gives you 7500 EDGE Miles, combining milestone and renewal benefits.

Redemption & Transfer Partners

The value of EDGE Miles can be significantly enhanced by transferring them to various partner programs:

• 1 EDGE Mile = Rs 1 for booking flights/hotels on Travel EDGE portal.* 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Airmiles The Atlas card grants access to the same transfer partners as the Axis Magnus and Reserve cards. However, there are caps on how many miles you can transfer per year: a maximum of 30,000 EDGE Miles to Group A partners and 1.2 lakh EDGE Miles to Group B partners per customer ID. Here are the current transfer partners: | Group | Transfer Partner and Program | Conversion Rate EDGE Miles: Partner Miles || ----- | ------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------- || B | Air India: Flying Returns | 1:2 || A | Accor: ALL | 1:2 || B | Air Asia: airasia rewards | 1:2 || A | Air Canada: Aeroplan | 1:2 || B | Air France – KLM: Flying Blue | 1:2 || B | Air Vistara: Club Vistara | 1:2 || A | Ethiopian Airlines: ShebaMiles | 1:2 || A | Etihad Airways: Etihad Guest | 1:2 || B | IHG Hotels & Resorts: IHG One Rewards | 1:2 || B | ITC: Club ITC | 1:2 || A | Japan Airlines: JAL Mileage Bank | 1:2 || A | Marriott International: Marriott Bonvoy | 2:1 || B | Qantas Airways: Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:2 || A | Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer | 1:2 || B | SpiceJet: SpiceClub | 1:2 || A | Turkish Airlines: Miles&Smiles | 1:2 || A | Thai Airways: Royal Orchid Plus | 1:2 || A | United Airlines: United MileagePlus | 1:2 || A | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Wyndham Rewards | 1:2 |

Airport Lounge Access

The Atlas card provides complimentary airport lounge access based on the tier achieved: | Benefit | Silver Tier | Gold Tier | Platinum Tier || --------------------------------------- | ----------- | --------- | ------------- || Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access | 8/year | 12/year | 18/year || Complimentary International Lounge Access | 4/year | 6/year | 12/year |

Key Benefits & Charges

*Foreign Currency Markup: 4.1%*Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver for transactions between Rs 400 and Rs 4000

Final Thoughts

The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is a strong contender for those passionate about earning airmiles. Pros: High earn rate on travel spends, valuable transfer partners, and complimentary airport lounge access. Cons: The annual fee, exclusion of some spending categories for rewards, and forex charges. Who should consider this card: Frequent travelers who spend significantly on travel, are comfortable with the annual fee, and can maximize value through EDGE Miles transfer partners.