Axis Atlas Credit Card Review

When it comes to popular credit cards, cashback cards usually steal the spotlight. However, for people who travel frequently, cards that earn air miles can offer much better long-term value. The Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card is built specifically for users who prefer earning and redeeming air miles instead of flat cashback.

Axis Atlas Credit Card Review
A travel-focused credit card designed to earn EDGE Miles across airlines and hotel partners.

Unlike regular cashback or reward cards, the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card earns a dedicated travel currency called EDGE Miles. These miles can be transferred to a wide range of airline and hotel loyalty programs, making the card particularly appealing for frequent travellers.

Along with miles, the card also offers tier-based rewards, milestone benefits, and airport lounge access. With a comparatively reasonable annual fee, the Atlas card is positioned as a strong travel credit card for users who spend regularly.

Eligibility Criteria

To apply for the Axis Atlas Credit Card, applicants must meet the following conditions:

  • Primary cardholder must be between 18 and 70 years of age
  • Meet the income thresholds:
    • (A) Salaried professionals: Net annual income of ₹12 lakhs or more
    • (B) Self-employed individuals: Net annual income of ₹15 lakhs or more
  • Must be a resident of India

Fees, Charges & Welcome Benefits

Here’s a quick breakdown of the fees and key joining benefits associated with the card:

Joining Fee ₹5,000 + 18% GST (Effective ₹5900)
Renewal Fee ₹5,000 + 18% GST (Effective ₹5900)
Welcome Benefit 2500 EDGE Miles upon first transactions within 37 days from card issuance
Renewal Fee Waiver Not Applicable
Renewal Benefits Get up to 5,000 EDGE Miles (basis on membership tier you hold)

With the welcome bonus of 2,500 EDGE Miles, users effectively convert into 5,000 partner miles. When transferred to programs like Accor, ITC or Wyndham users can extract a value of around ₹1– ₹2 per EDGE Mile, which can even exceed the joining fee paid.

As you move to higher membership tiers, the renewal benefits also improve. For example, Platinum tier users receive 5,000 EDGE Miles every year on renewal for the same fees you paid, making the card more rewarding with continued usage.

Axis Atlas Credit Card Rewards Programme

The rewards structure of the Atlas Credit Card is heavily focused on travel spends, especially bookings made directly with airlines and hotels or via Axis Bank Travel Edge

Spends Category Reward Structure
Axis Bank Travel Edge, Direct hotels, and Direct Airline Bookings 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 up to ₹2 lakhs spent per month (10-18.5% reward rate)
2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 above ₹2 lakhs spent per month (4-8% reward rate)
Other Spends 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 (4-8% reward rate)
Gold/Jewellery, Rent, Wallet, Government Institution, Insurance, Fuel, and Utilities No EDGE Miles

Direct airline and hotel spends refer to bookings made directly on airline or hotel-owned websites, platforms, counters, or helplines. Eligible users may also earn an additional 1% reward rate if they qualify for milestone benefits.

EDGE Miles Transfer Program

EDGE Miles earned on the Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card can be redeemed in two main ways:

1. Axis Bank Travel Edge Portal:
EDGE Miles can be used to book flights or hotels via the Travel Edge portal at a value of ₹1 per EDGE Mile. The annual transfer limit is 1,50,000 EDGE Miles per customer ID in a calendar year.

2. Airline & Hotel Partners:
EDGE Miles can be transferred to airline and hotel loyalty programs for significantly higher value. For most partners, the conversion ratio is 1:2, meaning 1 EDGE Mile converts into 2 partner points. The only exception is Marriott Bonvoy, where 2 EDGE Miles equal 1 Marriott Bonvoy point.

EDGE Miles Transfer Partners & Limits

Axis Bank divides its transfer partners into two groups:

Group A: Maximum transfer of 30,000 EDGE Miles per customer ID per year
Group B: Maximum transfer of 1,20,000 EDGE Miles per customer ID per year

Group A Group B
Accor Hotels (Accor Live Limitless) Air France-KLM (Flying Blue)
Air Canada (Aeroplan) Air India (Flying Returns)
Ethiopian Airlines Air Asia
Etihad (Etihad Guest) ITC
Japan Airlines (JAL Mileage Bank) IHG® Hotels & Resorts (IHG One Rewards)
Marriott International (Marriott Bonvoy) Qantas Airways (Qantas Frequent Flyer)
Qatar Airways SpiceJet
Singapore Airlines (Krisflyer) Post Card Hotels
Turkish Airlines
Thai Airways (Royal Orchid Plus)
United Airlines (MileagePlus)
Wyndham Hotels (Wyndham Rewards)

SaveSage Recommendation:Transferring EDGE Miles to partner programs offers far better value than redeeming via the Travel Edge portal.

Airport Lounge Access Benefits

The number of complimentary airport lounge visits depends on your membership tier. These visits include access for both the primary cardholder and guests.

Spends Category Reward Structure
Axis Bank Travel Edge, Direct hotels, and Direct Airline Bookings 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 up to ₹2 lakhs spent per month (10-18.5% reward rate)
2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 above ₹2 lakhs spent per month (4-8% reward rate)
Other Spends 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 (4-8% reward rate)
Gold/Jewellery, Rent, Wallet, Government Institution, Insurance, Fuel, and Utilities No EDGE Miles

Milestone Benefits

Bank rewards higher spending with milestone-based bonus EDGE Miles.

  • ₹3 lakhs spend: 2,500 EDGE Miles
  • ₹7.5 lakhs spend: Additional 2,500 EDGE Miles
  • ₹15 lakhs spend: Additional 5,000 EDGE Miles

Spends on Gold/Jewellery, Rent, Wallet, Government Institutions, Insurance, Fuel, and Utilities do not count towards milestone calculations.

Membership Tiers & Annual Benefits

The Atlas card follows a tier-based structure based on annual spends:

Annual Spends Membership Tiers
Less than ₹7.5 lakhs Silver
Between ₹7.5 lakhs and ₹15 lakhs Gold
Above ₹15 lakhs Platinum

Every new cardholder starts with the Silver tier. If the required spending threshold is not met in the next anniversary year, the membership tier will be downgraded as follows:

  • Silver: No downgrade
  • Gold: Downgraded to Silver
  • Platinum:
    • Downgraded to Gold if annual spends are between ₹7.5 lakhs and ₹15 lakhs
    • Downgraded to Silver if annual spends are below ₹7.5 lakhs

Annual Benefit

Every year, once you pay the renewal fee for your Atlas Credit Card, Axis Bank rewards you with bonus EDGE Miles as a loyalty benefit. The number of miles credited depends on your membership tier.

  • ₹3 Lakhs spend: 2,500 EDGE Miles
  • ₹7.5 Lakhs spend: Additional 2,500 EDGE Miles
  • ₹15 Lakhs spend: Additional 5,000 EDGE Miles

Does the Axis Atlas Credit Card Still Make Sense?

It is best suited for users looking for a comprehensive travel rewards card with strong mileage value, lounge access, and milestone-driven rewards. However, if your annual spends are below ₹7.5 lakhs, the overall value proposition may not justify the fees.

Although the Axis Atlas Credit Card has been discontinued for new applicants, existing cardholders continue to enjoy all benefits as outlined above.

Managing credit card rewards and loyalty programs doesn’t have to be confusing. SaveSage helps you keep everything simple by bringing your cards, points, and offers into one app, along with helpful AI support and regular updates.