Axis Bank already offers strong choices at different tiers — the entry-level Axis Flipkart Credit Card, the airline-focused Vistara Infinite Credit Card, and the travel-oriented Axis Privilege Credit Card. However, their premium and super-premium lifestyle cards lagged behind competitors, so Axis refreshed those products to better compete in those segments.
Axis Bank has relaunched its premium (Select) and super-premium (Reserve) lifestyle credit cards with updated designs and benefits. Below is a concise, SEO-friendly summary of what’s new and what to expect.
Table of Contents
- Axis Select Credit Card
- Axis Reserve Credit Card
- How to Apply?
- Bottomline
Axis Select Credit Card
The redesigned Axis Select combines attractive styling with competitive features for its annual fee band. Key highlights include:
- Annual Fee: Rs.3,000 + GST (renewal fee reversed on Rs.6 lakh annual spends)
- Eligibility: Suggested annual income of Rs.9 lakh (not strictly enforced)
- Welcome Vouchers: Rs.2,000 Amazon vouchers
- Reward Rate (retail shopping): 2% on retail shopping (20 eDGE points per Rs.200)
- Reward Rate (other spends): 1% on all other spends (10 eDGE points per Rs.200)
- Milestone Benefit: 5,000 eDGE rewards on Rs.3 lakh annual spend (approx. Rs.1,000 value)
- Swiggy Offer: 40% off, up to Rs.200, valid twice a month
- BigBasket Offer: 20% off, up to Rs.500 per month, valid once a month
- BookMyShow Offer: Buy one and get up to Rs.300 off the second ticket, valid once a month
- Up to 12 complimentary Priority Pass visits worldwide per year; 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter
- Golf: 6 complimentary rounds (additional 3 rounds on Rs.3 lakh annual spends)
- 24×7 dedicated concierge service
These features make the card compelling for its fee level. The visual redesign is striking and adds a clear “wow” factor. The 2% reward rate on retail shopping is notable for Axis, though the retail shopping carve-out may require attention to terms. Burgundy banking customers receive the card free, and a waiver is available on meeting the Rs.6 lakh spend threshold.
One minor critique is the welcome benefit mix: Amazon vouchers are highly flexible and nearly cash-equivalent, but a combination that included a Swiggy voucher might have enhanced perceived value for diners.
Overall, the Axis Select is a strong offering in the premium space and should compete well with cards like HDFC Regalia and similar alternatives.
Axis Reserve Credit Card
The Axis Reserve is positioned as a super-premium card with an upscale feature set. At the time of writing, it is expected to go live on the bank’s site soon, and details may be refined. Current expected benefits include:
- Annual Fee: Rs.50,000 + GST (renewal fee waived on Rs.25 lakh annual spends)
- Welcome Bonus: 50,000 points (approx. Rs.10,000 value)
- Form Factor: Metal card
- Reward Rate: 1.5% domestic, 3% international
- Airport Concierge (Meet & Assist): 8 times per year
- Luxury Airport Transfers: 4 transfers per year at select domestic airports
- Unlimited domestic lounge access for primary and add-on cards, plus 12 complimentary guest visits
- Unlimited international lounge access for primary and add-on cards, plus 12 complimentary guest visits
- Golf: 50 complimentary domestic rounds
- Hotel Benefits: AccorPlus with one complimentary night, preferential rates at Oberoi and select hotels, Club Marriott membership
- BookMyShow BOGO: Rs.500 off on second movie ticket up to 5 times; Rs.1,000 off on second non-movie ticket up to 5 times
- Dining Benefits: ITC Culinaire membership, EazyDiner Prime
- Markup Fee: 1.5%
- 24×7 dedicated concierge service
Axis Reserve debuts the Luxury Airport Transfers feature in India, which is a standout benefit. The card’s feature mix skews strongly toward golf, premium travel, and hospitality perks, and the annual fee reflects that positioning. For cardholders who do not use golf benefits or extensive travel perks, extracting full value may be challenging unless the cardholder aggressively uses lounges, transfers, hotel and dining privileges.
In short, Reserve offers clear value for a specific affluent audience: frequent travelers, golfers, and those who will use concierge, lounge and hotel privileges extensively.
How to Apply?
Axis Select: Branches have already started accepting applications. The new Select card is appearing in customer apps shortly after approval. If you can wait, consider holding off for about two weeks to see if any introductory launch offers are announced.
Axis Reserve: The Reserve card is expected to appear on the bank’s public site within a few weeks. Official benefit details should be confirmed once the product is live, as minor changes remain possible.
Bottomline
Axis Bank’s refreshed Axis Select is a promising entrant in the premium credit card segment, offering a competitive reward rate on retail spends, meaningful lifestyle discounts, travel benefits and an attractive design. It should be a solid alternative to other premium cards in the market.
The Axis Reserve targets the super-premium segment with a heavy focus on golf, travel and high-end hospitality benefits. It will suit a niche affluent audience; however, those who do not leverage golf rounds, airport transfers and extensive lounge or hotel privileges may find it harder to justify the fee.
A mid-point product with a lower fee and a balanced mix of Select-style rewards and Magnus/Reserve travel perks could appeal broadly, but as it stands, Axis’s relaunch is a strong step forward. Expect in-depth reviews of both cards once the Reserve is live and full terms are confirmed.
What are your thoughts on the revamped Axis Select and Reserve cards? Share your views in the comments below.