In the realm of travel-focused credit cards, the Axis Bank Atlas credit card emerges as a new and enticing offering. With its unique reward currency, the ‘EDGE Miles,’ issued by Axis Bank, this card opens doors to a plethora of exciting possibilities. Let’s delve deeper into the world of Atlas credit card, exploring its benefits, fees, and everything in between, making it a compelling choice in a post-Magnus era.
Fees and Charges: Unraveling the Value
- Joining Fee: Rs 5000+GST
- Welcome Benefit: 5000 EDGE miles on completing 3 transactions within 60 days of card issuance
- Annual Fee: Rs 5000+GST
- Renewal Benefit: 2500 to 10000 EDGE Miles (Based on Tier)
The 5000 EDGE Miles translate to a staggering 10000 partner miles, adding immense value to your travel endeavors. This means you can effortlessly transfer these miles to partners like ITC Hotels, ensuring you get far more than what you invest in the annual fee.
Furthermore, the renewal benefit escalates as you climb the tier ladder. Achieving the Platinum tier through your spending garners you an impressive 10000 EDGE Miles, all under the same annual fee of Rs 5000+GST. The Atlas card demonstrates that the more you spend, the better the returns.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Tier Benefits: Elevating Your Experience
Much like the loyalty programs of airlines, Axis Bank introduces a tier system for Atlas credit cardholders. The tier you attain is directly linked to your annual spending. As you progress through these tiers, you unlock extra rewards and exclusive benefits. Here’s how the tiers stack up:
- Silver: Initial Tier
- Gold: Achieved at Rs 7.5 Lakhs spend
- Platinum: Attained with Rs 15 Lakhs spend
Reaching a higher tier ensures you not only enjoy enhanced privileges but also retain them for another membership year when you renew the card.
EDGE Miles Earn Rate: Maximizing Your Rewards
The Atlas credit card shines with its impressive EDGE Miles earn rate:
- Travel (Airlines, Hotels, and Travel EDGE Portal): 5 EDGE Miles per Rs 100
- Other Spends: 2 EDGE Miles per Rs 100
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver Transactions: No EDGE Miles
- Wallet Spends: No EDGE Miles
- Insurance Spends: 2 EDGE Miles per Rs 100, up to Rs 5000 in value
The allure of earning 5 EDGE Miles for every Rs 100 spent on travel is undeniable. This reward rate is further bolstered by annual and milestone benefits. However, it’s important to note that only direct spending on airline and hotel websites qualifies for the accelerated EDGE Miles earn rate. OTA bookings do not share in this advantage.
Axis Atlas Milestone Benefits: The More You Spend, the More You Earn
Your spending habits can truly dictate your rewards with the Axis Bank Atlas credit card:
- Rs 3 Lakhs Spend: 2500 EDGE Miles
- Rs 7.5 Lakhs Spend: 5000 EDGE Miles and Gold Tier
- Rs 15 Lakhs Spend: 10000 EDGE Miles and Platinum Tier
Reaching these milestones ensures a significant boost to your EDGE Miles balance, amplifying your card’s value.
Axis Atlas Renewal Benefit: A Rewarding Conclusion
While the Axis Bank Atlas credit card doesn’t offer an annual fee waiver, it compensates with EDGE Miles benefits during renewal. This is a supplementary benefit on top of the milestone benefits mentioned earlier. For instance, spending Rs 15 Lakhs in a year would grant you a whopping 20000 EDGE Miles, combining both milestone and renewal benefits.
- Silver: 2500 EDGE Miles
- Gold: 5000 EDGE Miles
- Platinum: 10000 EDGE Miles
Axis Atlas EDGE Miles Redemption: Turning Miles into Memories
Understanding the conversion rate is essential when it comes to EDGE Miles redemption:
- 1 EDGE Mile = Rs 1 for booking flights/hotels on Travel EDGE Portal. These can be used for booking revenue flights with airlines like IndiGo on Travel EDGE.
- 1 EDGE Mile = Up to 2 Partner Airmiles
Axis Atlas Transfer Partners: Expanding Your Horizons
The Axis Bank Atlas credit card opens doors to an impressive array of transfer partners, each offering its unique advantages:
- Accor: ALL – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Air Asia: airasia rewards – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Air Canada: Aeroplan – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Air France – KLM: Flying Blue – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Air Vistara: Club Vistara – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Ethiopian Airlines: ShebaMiles – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Etihad Airways: Etihad Guest – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- IHG Hotels & Resorts: IHG One Rewards – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- ITC: Club ITC – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Japan Airlines: JAL Mileage Bank – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Marriott International: Marriott Bonvoy – Conversion Rate: 2:1
- Qantas Airways: Qantas Frequent Flyer – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- SpiceJet: SpiceClub – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Turkish Airlines: Miles&Smiles – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- United Airlines: United MileagePlus – Conversion Rate: 1:2
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Wyndham Rewards – Conversion Rate: 1:2
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review – Transfer Partners
With such a diverse range of partners, the Atlas card offers a multitude of options. Our top picks from this list include KrisFlyer, Club ITC, Miles&Smiles, FlyingBlue, MileagePlus, and Accor. However, for Marriott Bonvoy, Amex cards still hold the advantage.
When utilizing EDGE Miles to book through the Travel EDGE portal, the effective reward rate can range from 1% to 2%, depending on your tier. We hope to see more partners added in the future, making the Atlas credit card an even more enticing choice.
Axis Atlas Key Benefits: Elevate Your Travel Experience
As a travel-focused credit card, Axis Atlas comes with an array of travel-centric benefits, varying by tier:
- Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – Domestic
- Silver Tier: 8 passes
- Gold Tier: 12 passes
- Platinum Tier: 18 passes
- Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – International
- Silver Tier: 4 passes
- Gold Tier: 6 passes
- Platinum Tier: 12 passes
- Airport Concierge Services
- Gold Tier: 2 services
- Platinum Tier: 4 services
- Airport Pickup Services
- Platinum Tier: 2 services
It’s worth noting that international lounge access on the Axis Atlas credit card is facilitated through Dreamfolks. Additionally, airport concierge services encompass a range of “Meet and Greet” or “VIP Assistance” services, spanning check-in, security, immigration, and porter services.
Final Thoughts: The Axis Atlas Advantage
In conclusion, the Axis Bank Atlas credit card stands as a unique offering in the realm of rewards cards. While it may not directly compete with the likes of Infinia, it shines as a top choice among Axis Bank’s credit card portfolio, particularly for avid airmile enthusiasts.
In light of the devaluation of Magnus, the Axis Bank Atlas credit card deserves a second look. With its enticing milestone and renewal benefits, it offers an exceptional value proposition. While it may not boast features like GiftEdge or Grab Deals, it more than compensates with its comprehensive rewards structure. For those with a penchant for airmiles, this card promises to be an indispensable travel companion.