Axis Bank has introduced the ability to transfer Edge Reward points to partner airline and hotel loyalty programs — a significant enhancement aimed at affluent customers and HNI cardholders.
The transfer rates shown below apply only to Axis’s premium cards: Magnus, Reserve and Burgundy Private. The Axis Atlas card has a separate treatment.
Other Axis cards still transfer at a 10:1 ratio, which generally makes transfers unattractive; those cards are not discussed here.
Table of Contents
- Airline Partners
- Hotel Partners
- What’s the reward rate?
- How to Transfer?
- Time taken to transfer Points
- Final Thoughts
Airline Partners
| Airline | Loyalty Program | Transfer Ratio (Atlas Miles:Partner Miles) |
Transfer Ratio (Edge Rewards: Partner Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore Airlines | Krisflyer | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Qatar | Privilege Club | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Etihad | Etihad Guest | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| United | Mileage Plus | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | Sheba Miles | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Turkish Airlines | Miles & Smiles | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Air France KLM | Flying Blue | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Spice Jet | Spice Club | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Air Asia | Air Asia Rewards | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Air Canada (New) | Aeroplan | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Japan Airlines (New) | JAL Mileage Bank | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| Qantas (New) | Frequent Flyer | 1:2 | 5:4 |
- Expected turnaround time to transfer: 1 day for Etihad, Air France, United (often instant) and SpiceJet; other partners may take up to 10 days.
Hotel Partners
| Hotel | Loyalty Program | Transfer Ratio (Atlas Miles:Partner Miles) |
Transfer Ratio (Edge Rewards Miles:Partner Miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marriott | Marriott Bonvoy | 2:1 | 5:4 |
| ITC | Club ITC | 1:2 | 5:4 |
| IHG | IHG Rewards | 1:2 | 5:4 |
- Expected turnaround time to transfer: Marriott and IHG typically within 1 day (sometimes instant); ITC can take up to 10 days.
Note: Axis experienced some system issues when the feature launched. When you make a transfer, confirm the correct transfer ratio is displayed in the slider before submitting.
What’s the reward rate?
Here’s an example of the rewards you can expect from Axis Magnus and Reserve for 100,000 INR in spending:
- Magnus: roughly 4,800 points from spending plus a 20,000-point milestone benefit — totaling about 24,800 partner miles after transfers.
- Reserve: roughly 6,000 partner miles.
Magnus delivers an excellent return for spends up to 100,000 INR; for higher spends, Reserve becomes more attractive. For international spending, Reserve is particularly strong because it offers 2X rewards on many categories.
Translated to a simple reward rate on domestic spend (and using a conservative partner-point valuation of INR 0.50–1.00 per point), Magnus can effectively return around 2.4%–4.8%, while Reserve can return roughly 3%–6% depending on how you value partner points.
If you’re new to points, start with simple hotel transfers like Marriott and ITC. Experienced users can take advantage of airline transfers for higher-value redemptions.
This move reduces one of American Express’s advantages (Marriott transfers) and may shift some premium spend to Axis premium cards, given Axis’s improved reward rates on these cards.
For example, Amex Platinum charge card earns about 2,500 Marriott Bonvoy points on 100,000 INR spend, while Axis Magnus or Reserve can deliver significantly higher Marriott point equivalents on the same spend.
How to Transfer?
Transferring points is straightforward and can be completed in a few clicks:
- Log in to the Travel Edge portal using your Axis account credentials.
- Choose “Link Member” and add the details for the loyalty program you want to transfer to.
- Select “Transfer Rewards”, pick the program, set the amount using the slider, and submit the transfer request.
- Transfers typically complete within 1–10 days depending on the partner.
Time taken to transfer Points
Typical real-world transfer times observed so far:
- Marriott Bonvoy & IHG – up to 1 working day (sometimes instant).
- United, Etihad, Qantas – up to 1 working day (sometimes instant).
- Turkish & Ethiopian – about 2 days.
- KrisFlyer & Club Vistara – up to 3 days.
- Aeroplan & Flying Blue – around 1 day (sometimes instant).
- Club ITC – 3 to 5 days (previously 1–2 weeks).
- Spice Club & AirAsia – 5 to 7 days.
- JAL – 7 to 10 days.
If you try transfers to other partners, consider sharing the actual timelines to help others set expectations.
Final Thoughts
This enhancement marks a notable improvement in the value proposition for Axis premium cardholders. With competitive transfer ratios and a growing list of partners, cardholders have more meaningful options for redeeming points for flights and hotel stays.
Make hay while the sun shines!
Keep in mind that popular programs can change transfer ratios or rules over time, so plan transfers and redemptions with that possibility in mind. For now, enjoy the improved flexibility and value that these transfers provide.
*** Happy days ahead ***