The Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card was introduced after a significant downgrade of the regular Magnus card. This premium card is targeted at true Burgundy customers of the bank—those with high monthly spends who want to leverage outsized rewards by transferring points to airline and hotel partners.
For high-net-worth individuals, the Magnus Burgundy delivers a market-leading reward structure on ongoing spending. Below is a comprehensive look at how the card performs in 2025.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Fees
- Design
- Rewards
- Accelerated Rewards
- 5X on Travel Edge
- Redemption
- Airport Lounge Access
- Airport Meet & Greet
- Add-On Cards
- Forex Markup Fee
- Features & Benefits
- My Experience
- Should you get it?
- How to Apply?
- Bottom line
Overview
| Type | HNI Credit Card |
| Reward Rate | 4.8% to 25% |
| Annual Fee | 30,000+GST |
| Best for | High Value Spends |
| USP | Airline/hotel transfer partners |
With a steep joining fee, this card is tailored for high-value spenders who will actively use transfer partners to extract maximum value from points and miles.
Fees
| Joining Fee | 30,000 INR+GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 5,000 INR Yatra Voucher |
| Renewal Fee | 30,000 INR+GST |
| Renewal Benefit | Nil |
| Renewal Fee waiver | On spending >30 lakhs |
- Spends excluded from waiver calculations: Insurance, Gold & Fuel.
The welcome voucher is modest compared to the fee, but for customers who can convert points into high-value airline or hotel redemptions, the card can still be very rewarding.
Design
The Magnus Burgundy is a lightweight metal card on the Mastercard network. The design does not explicitly display “Burgundy,” so it looks very similar to the regular Magnus card.
Rewards
| SPEND TYPE | REWARDS | REWARD RATE (EDGE REWARDS PORTAL) |
REWARD RATE (POINTS TRANSFER at 5:4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Spend | 12 RP / 200 INR | 1.2% | 4.8% |
| Axis Travel Edge Portal (5X) | 60 RP / 200 INR | 6% | 24% |
While the Edge Rewards earn rate matches the regular Magnus, the Burgundy card’s more favorable transfer ratio (5:4) doubles the effective value compared with the regular Magnus, making a substantial difference for members who transfer points.
Exclusions for Rewards:
- Rent (capped at 50,000 INR per month)
- Wallets, utilities, and government payments
- Insurance and gold/jewellery purchases
- Fuel
Accelerated Rewards
- Spends over 150,000 INR in a month: earn 35 points / 200 INR (~14% effective return).
The card is exceptional for high spenders. While the first 150,000 INR of monthly spend earns at the basic transfer-equivalent rate (about 4.8%), higher monthly spending unlocks much stronger returns—around 14% for amounts above the threshold.
On average, a monthly spend around 300,000 INR tends to approach a ~10% blended reward rate, making this card highly attractive for those who can maintain heavy spending patterns.
5X on Travel Edge
- Earn 60 RP / 200 INR (~24% as miles) on Axis Travel Edge up to 200,000 INR of travel spend per month.
- Beyond 200,000 INR per month, earn 35 RP / 200 INR (~14% as miles).
5X on Travel Edge is compelling for flight bookings, though using the portal adds extra steps. For some hotel bookings, competing cards may still offer better returns via their own portals.
Redemption
- Transfer Edge Rewards to partner points/miles at a 5:4 ratio.
- Annual transfer cap: up to 1,000,000 Edge Rewards per calendar year, split as 200,000 to Group A partners and 800,000 to Group B partners.
| GROUP A | GROUP B |
|---|---|
| Accor (Hotels) | ITC (Hotels) |
| Marriott (Hotels) | IHG (Hotels) |
| Wyndham (Hotels) | Qantas Airways |
| Air Canada | Air India |
| Qatar Airways | Air France |
| United Airlines | Spice Jet |
| Singapore Airlines | Air Asia |
| Turkish Airlines | |
| Thai Airways | |
| Japan Airlines | |
| Ethiopian Airlines | |
| Etihad Airways |
Popular redemption paths include Accor (Group A) and ITC (Group B) for hotel value. Airline partners like Air Canada, Singapore Airlines, and Qatar Airways can also deliver excellent value, but airline programs are subject to devaluations that can reduce value over time.
Airport Lounge Access
| ACCESS TYPE | VIA | LIMIT | GUEST ACCESS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Lounge Access | Visa / Mastercard | Unlimited | 4 |
| International Lounge Access (Primary) | Priority Pass | Unlimited | 4 |
Guest access is allowed up to four guests per calendar year. Note that from 1 May 2024, domestic lounge benefits require spending 50,000 INR in the preceding three calendar months, which is a stricter eligibility condition for a card of this tier.
Airport Meet & Greet
- Complimentary airport meet & greet: 4 uses per calendar year.
Axis Bank’s airport concierge—domestic meet & greet—is a standout benefit, providing VIP assistance for smoother airport transfers within India.
Add-On Cards
Obtaining and managing add-on cards can be cumbersome due to OTP and activation issues. Until these processes improve, add-on cards may not provide a hassle-free experience.
Forex Markup Fee
- Foreign currency markup fee: 2% + GST (effective ~2.4%).
- Net return on forex spends after markup: ~2.4% (4.8% rewards minus 2.4% markup) and higher for accelerated tiers.
Even after the markup fee, forex spend returns remain attractive—especially for those with higher monthly spends—making it one of the better cards for international transactions.
Features & Benefits
- No cash withdrawal fee (finance charges apply).
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver (between 400 INR and 4,000 INR).
- Buy 1 Get 1 BookMyShow offer discontinued from April 2024.
My Experience
I have used the regular Magnus since launch and later transitioned to the Magnus Burgundy. The card has proven highly rewarding for both domestic and international spending. The main downside remains the reward exclusions—utilities being excluded is a notable limitation for a premium product.
Should you get it?
For those with annual spends around 40 lakh INR or more, I generally recommend the Magnus Burgundy as a primary card. If your spends are lower but you still want strong returns, pairing multiple high-reward cards such as Axis Atlas or Amex Platinum Travel can help.
The Magnus Burgundy may hold value longer than some alternatives because of its linkage to NRV, but keep in mind the bank can change terms—monitor communications regularly to avoid surprises.
How to Apply?
- Eligibility: Typically requires 30L NRV initially; thereafter 30L NRV or 10L AMB.
Existing Axis Bank cardholders who meet eligibility can often apply via phone. New customers usually need to apply through a branch using the NRV route for faster issuance.
Bottom line
- Cardexpert Rating: 4.8/5
The Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is a top-tier option for high spenders. It delivers excellent returns once monthly spend thresholds are met and offers valuable transfer partners. The main limitations are exclusions on key spend categories and the relatively low annual cap for Group A transfers. For heavy spenders who actively manage points transfers, this card remains a compelling choice.