Axis Bank Atlas credit card is a new travel-focused offering. The Atlas credit card earns ‘EDGE Miles’ – a new reward currency from Axis Bank. These EDGE Miles can be transferred to an extensive list of airline and hotel partners like EDGE Rewards. It also offers great milestone benefits and rewards as Tiers. With the devaluation of Magnus, the Axis Bank Atlas credit card deserves another look. At a lesser annual fee, the Atlas can be one of the good options to earn miles on spending over the Magnus.
Fees and Charges
| Joining Fee | Rs 5000+GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 5000 EDGE miles on 3 transactions within 60 days from card issuance |
| Annual Fee | Rs 5000+GST |
| Renewal Benefit | 2500 to 10000 EDGE Miles (Based on Tier) |
The 5000 EDGE Miles are equal to 10000 partner miles. So, you can move them to partners like ITC Hotels to get a much better value than the fee you pay for this card.
Axis Bank Atlas also offers a renewal benefit based on the tier you are in. If you reach the Platinum tier with your spending, you get 10000 EDGE Miles for the same annual fee of Rs 5000+GST. So, the more you spend the better value you get on the Atlas.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card 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 as and when we hit the target spends.
So, if you spend Rs 7.5 Lakhs in a membership year you immediately get the Gold Tier and also retain it for another membership year when you renew the card.
- Silver: Initial Tier
- Gold: Rs 7.5 Lakhs spend
- Platinum: Rs 15 Lakhs spend
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 only up to Rs 5000 value |
The 5 miles per Rs 100 on travel spending is great. The rewards rate is complemented by the annual and milestone benefits. Plus, we get more value when we use the transfer partners. Only direct spends at airline and hotel websites are eligible for 5 EM per Rs 100. OTA bookings will not be eligible for the accelerated EDGE Miles earn rate.
Axis Atlas Milestone Benefits
The Axis Bank Atlas credit card 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 and Gold Tier
- Rs 15 Lakhs Spend: 10000 EDGE Miles and Platinum Tier
Axis Atlas Renewal Benefit
The Axis Bank Atlas credit card does not have an annual fee waiver criteria but we get EDGE Miles benefits based on the tier during renewal. This is over and above the milestone benefits from above. So, if you spend Rs 15 Lakhs in a year you get 20000 EDGE Miles including both milestone and renewal benefits.
- Silver: 2500 EDGE Miles
- Gold: 5000 EDGE Miles
- Platinum: 10000 EDGE Miles
Axis Atlas EDGE Miles Redemption
- 1 EDGE Mile = Rs 1 for booking flights/hotels on Travel EDGE Portal. This can be used for booking revenue flights like IndiGo on Travel EDGE.
- 1 EDGE Mile = Up to 2 Partner Airmiles
Axis Atlas Transfer Partners
| Transfer Partner and Program | Conversion Rate EDGE Miles: Partner Miles |
|---|---|
| Accor: ALL | 1:2 |
| Air Asia: airasia rewards | 1:2 |
| Air Canada: Aeroplan | 1:2 |
| Air France – KLM: Flying Blue | 1:2 |
| Air Vistara: Club Vistara | 1:2 |
| Ethiopian Airlines: ShebaMiles | 1:2 |
| Etihad Airways: Etihad Guest | 1:2 |
| IHG Hotels & Resorts: IHG One Rewards | 1:2 |
| ITC: Club ITC | 1:2 |
| Japan Airlines: JAL Mileage Bank | 1:2 |
| Marriott International: Marriott Bonvoy | 2:1 |
| Qantas Airways: Qantas Frequent Flyer | 1:2 |
| Singapore Airlines: KrisFlyer | 1:2 |
| SpiceJet: SpiceClub | 1:2 |
| Turkish Airlines: Miles&Smiles | 1:2 |
| United Airlines: United MileagePlus | 1:2 |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Wyndham Rewards | 1:2 |
There are some great partners here. Our favorites in this list would be KrisFlyer, Club ITC, Miles&Smiles, FlyingBlue, MileagePlus and Accor. For Marriott Bonvoy, Amex cards continue to be our preferred option.
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.
| Benefit | Silver Tier | Gold Tier | Platinum Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – Domestic | 8 | 12 | 18 |
| Complimentary Airport Lounge Access – International | 4 | 6 | 12 |
| Airport Concierge Services | None | 2 | 4 |
| Airport Pickup Services | None | None | 2 |
- 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. Axis Atlas provides the maximum rewards and benefits for the Platinum tier. This needs Rs 15 Lakh spend in a membership year. But it would be difficult for most of us as we already have a better rewards primary card.
With the devaluation of Magnus, Axis Bank Atlas credit card deserves a second look. It is now one of the best from Axis Bank’s credit card offerings if you are into airmiles. Yes, we do not have GiftEdge or Grab Deals but the milestone and renewal benefits make up for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card
14 thoughts on “Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card”
Hi.
Does the card give reward points on government transactions like paying electricity bill through government website ?
And which card according to you is the best for such a transaction.
Thanks
Yes, it does.
Atlas also provides Edge miles while paying directly to HOTEL or booking HOTEL which is 5 miles per Rs 100. This needs an update.
Thank you Ashis. This is updated now. It was missed.
Hi,
Can you elaborate on direct airlines/hotel spending. Does booking via OTA count as direct spending for Airlines and hotels?
No, only on the airline/hotel website.
I think this page needs a relook. The edge mile is actually 2%. That means with partner transfer, one can get 4% value back. Why its written that its 1% for other spends?
We missed that during the update. It is fixed now.
Hi
On Government spends like paying of Income Tax, are we eligible for 2 Edge Miles pe Rs. 100?
Yes, we do as of today.
Hi. I just received this card. I wanted to recheck if the miles earned on other spends are 2 miles per 100 Rs or 1 mile per 100 Rs. Also, will I receive miles if I pay rent with this card? I am not bothered about the milestone benefits for now.
2 miles per Rs 100
Yes, you should get it on rent too as there is no exclusion right now.
I tried applying for this card, but this card doesn’t show up. Is it gone live or not?
Launched but applications not open yet. It should be available in March 1st week for applying.