Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review

Axis Bank seems to be on a roll and has been turning things around in the credit card segment. After the recent changes on the Magnus card and the current LTF offer on entry-level cards, we now have a new launch. Axis Bank has come up with Atlas – a new travel credit card. This card is for travelers who prefer miles as rewards. Axis Bank Atlas might just be the right replacement for Citibank Premier Miles with the rumors of Axis buying out the Citi India business. Here is a review of the Axis Bank Atlas credit card and its rewards/benefits.

IOCL Axis LTF

Axis Atlas Fees and Charges

Joining/Annual FeeRs 5000 plus taxes
Welcome Benefit5000 miles on 3 transactions within 60 days from card issuance
Renewal BenefitBased on Tier (Details below)
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review – Fees and Charges
Axis Privilege FYF

Axis Atlas Tier Benefits

Like the airlines’ loyalty programs, Axis Bank has created a tier system for Atlas credit cards as well. The tier is decided based on the spending in an anniversary year. The card gets extra rewards and benefits based on the tier. The tier changes happen only on renewal.

  • Silver: Initial Tier
  • Gold: Rs 7.5 Lakhs spend
  • Platinum: Rs 15 Lakhs spend
AU Bank LTF Credit Cards

Axis Atlas EDGE Miles Earn Rate

  • Travel (Airlines and Travel EDGE Portal): 5 EDGE Miles per Rs 100
  • Other Spends: 2 EDGE Miles per Rs 100

The 5 miles per Rs 100 on travel spending is great but the 1 mile/Rs 100 on other spending is on the lower side. The rewards rate is complemented by the annual and milestone benefits. Plus, we get more value when we use the transfer partners. Hope, Axis introduces EDGE Miles multipliers as offers similar to how Grab Deals has.

Axis Atlas Milestone Benefits

The Axis Atlas offers better value when we spend more. Spending more also gets you a better tier that comes with more EDGE Miles and benefits.

  • Rs 3 Lakhs Spend: 2500 EDGE Miles
  • Rs 7.5 Lakhs Spend: 5000 EDGE Miles
  • Rs 15 Lakhs Spend: 10000 EDGE Miles

Axis Atlas Renewal Benefit

We do not have an annual fee waiver criteria but we get EDGE Miles benefits based on the tier during renewal.

  • Silver: 2500 EDGE Miles
  • Gold: 5000 EDGE Miles
  • Platinum: 10000 EDGE Miles
IndusInd Bank LTF Credit Cards

Axis Atlas EDGE Miles Redemption

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review - Transfer Partners
  • 1 EDGE Mile = Rs 1 for booking flights/hotels on Travel EDGE Portal
  • 1 EDGE Mile = Up to 2 Partner Airmiles

Axis Atlas Transfer Partners

Transfer Partner and
Program
Conversion Rate
EDGE Miles: Partner Miles
Working Days for Transfer
Air Asia
airasia rewards
1:2Up to 10
Ethiopian Airlines
ShebaMiles
1:2Up to 10
Turkish Airlines
Miles and Smiles
1:2Up to 10
ITC
Club ITC
1:2Up to 10
Air France-KLM
Flying Blue
1:2Up to 1
Etihad Airways
Etihad Guest
1:2Up to 1
IHG Hotels & Resorts
IHG One Rewards
1:2Up to 1
Marriott International
Marriott Bonvoy
2:1Up to 1
United Airlines
United MileagePlus
1:2Up to 1
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review – Transfer Partners

One of the better options is to transfer out EDGE Miles to Turkish Airlines. They fly good routes and we can get a better value for the miles using their loyalty program. If we use EDGE Miles to book on the Travel EDGE portal, the effective reward rate would be between 1% to 2% based on the tier. Hope more partners get added in the future which will make for a better value proposition.

Axis Atlas Key Benefits

Being a travel-focused credit card, we have many travel benefits on Axis Atlas.

BenefitSilver TierGold TierPlatinum Tier
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – Domestic81218
Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – International4612
Airport Concierge ServicesNone24
Airport Pickup ServicesNoneNone2
  • International Lounge Access on Axis Atlas credit card is via Dreamfolks.
  • Airport Concierge is the ‘Meet and Greet’ or ‘VIP Assistance’ service. The services include assistance across airport processes, such as check-in, security check, immigration processes, and porter services.

Final Thoughts

The Atlas credit card is not a regular rewards card. So, it would not be right to compare it with the likes of Infinia or Magnus. Axis Atlas provides the maximum rewards and benefits for the Platinum tier. This needs Rs 15 Lakh spend in a membership year. Pretty difficult for most of us as we already have a better rewards primary card.

If you are looking for an assured and direct reward rate, then Magnus is still a better card. No worry about miles or sweet spot redemptions and a 6.2% reward rate of Rs 1 Lakh monthly spend.

Axis Bank might also launch a better travel credit card soon. It should pretty much be in line with what the Citibank Prestige card offers now. A higher annual fee, earn rate, and more transfer partners. All will depend on how Atlas fares in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all spends included for milestone benefit?

No, rent and wallet spends will not be included as eligible spends for calculating milestone spends.

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

CardMaven

Joining / Annual Fees
Rewards
Features and Benefits
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2 thoughts on “Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card Review”

  1. I tried applying for this card, but this card doesn’t show up. Is it gone live or not?

    1. Launched but applications not open yet. It should be available in March 1st week for applying.

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