I used the Axis Rewards Credit Card for 2 years. The ₹1,000 joining fee is offset by 5,000 EDGE welcome points, making it effectively first-year free.
The online reward rate is disappointing. But the 10x points on apparel and departmental stores is where this card genuinely shines.
Here’s everything you need to know before applying.
Card Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | Mastercard |
| Card Type | Entry-level Rewards |
| Reward Rate | Up to 3.2% |
| Best For | Apparel & departmental stores, Swiggy |
| Eligibility* | 18-70 age, 15K+ monthly income, 750+ credit score |
Annual Fee
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹1,000 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 5000 Edge Points |
| Renewal Fee | ₹1,000 + GST |
| Renewal benefit | Memberships worth ₹1,000 |
| Fee Waiver | ₹2L annual spend |
Year 1 is effectively free with the welcome benefit.
Year 2 onwards, the fee gets waived off if you achieve the 2 lakhs spend. Otherwise, a ₹1,000 anniversary benefit offsets the fee.
👆 Claim 5000 Edge points
Reward Structure
| Category | Earn Rate | Effective Return | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apparel & Departmental Stores | 10x (20 RP per ₹125) | 3.2% | On spends up to ₹7,000/month |
| All Other Eligible Spends | 2 RP per ₹125 | 0.32% | Unlimited |
| Monthly Milestone | 1,500 RPs | ₹300 | Spend ₹30K per statement cycle |
| Anniversary Benefit | Memberships worth ₹1,000 every year | _ | If you pay renewal fee |
I mostly swiped the card for fashion retail to maximize the 10x reward benefits. Occasionally, I also managed to hit the monthly milestone targets to unlock extra points.
Tbh, the ₹7,000/month cap is a bummer. And the base reward rate is too low, a genuine con if you’re a heavy spenders. That’s why I switched to Axis Horizon last month.
Excluded categories: Fuel, rent, wallet/wire transfers, insurance, government institutions, educational institutions, utilities and certain telecom, transportation & tolls.
Flipkart Axis Bank Card
Best cashback card for Flipkart, Myntra, & Cleartrip users.
- 7.5% on Myntra, 5% on Flipkart & Cleartrip
- 4% on Swiggy, Uber, Cultfit, PVR
- 1% on all other spends
Reward Redemption
1 Edge Point = ₹0.20
| Redemption Option | Value per Point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Gift Vouchers | ₹0.20 | Best — go here first |
| Merchandise | ₹0.20 | Situational |
| Travel Bookings | ₹0.20 | Good for flights/hotels |
| Miles Transfer | ~₹0.10 | Avoid on this card; ratio too unfavourable |
| Statement Credit | Below ₹0.20 | Avoid |
There’s no redemption fee. I redeemed primarily for Amazon Pay gift vouchers — straightforward, no friction. Value held at ₹0.20 per point consistently.
The Axis EDGE Rewards Portal is genuinely good — it’s clean interface displays points per transaction rather than just a total balance. It simplifies verification of 10x rewards on retail purchases and ensures a smooth redemption process.
Lounge Access
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic Lounge Visits | 2 per quarter (8/year) |
| International Lounge Access | – |
| Spend Condition | ₹50,000 in previous 3 calendar months |
I accessed the lounge at IGI Delhi T3 — no issues, smooth entry.
The spend-based condition is the real catch. You need ₹50,000 in eligible spends across the 3 months before your visit.
No international lounge access. For a dedicated travel card stack, check our 12 best lounge access credit cards 2026 — no spend.
Scapia Card
Best beginner travel card with lounge access and zero forex markup.
- Unlimited lounge access
- Zero forex markup
- Zero annual fee
Swiggy Discount — AXIS150
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Discount | 30% off |
| Promo Code | AXIS150 |
| Min. Order Value | ₹500 |
| Max. Discount | ₹150 per order |
| Frequency | 2 times per month |
| Annual Saving Potential | ₹3,600 (on ₹4,800 annual Swiggy spend) |
AXIS150 works consistently — I’ve used it multiple times. At 2x/month, that’s up to ₹300/month, ₹3,600/year purely from this one offer.
Design & Build
The card is matte black with a gift-box ribbon graphic at the centre — looks premium in hand.
After 2 years of consistent wallet carry and regular swiping, mine picked up minor surface scratches. That’s the trade-off with matte finish cards — they look great initially but show wear faster than glossy. Nothing that affects functionality, purely cosmetic.
Contactless (NFC tap) works well. Chip quality has been solid — no misread issues across 2 years.
SBI Cashback Card
The OG cashback card for regular online shoppers.
- 5% cashback on all online spends 🛒
- No merchant restrictions
Honest Pros & Cons
Pros
- 10x points on apparel and departmental stores = ~3.2% return.
- First-year free effectively (welcome benefit covers joining fee).
- 8 domestic lounge visits/year.
- AXIS150 on Swiggy works reliably.
Cons
- Low base reward rate — 0.32%.
- Spend-based lounge access — ₹50K in the last 3 calendar months.
Mobodaily Rating
| Parameter | Score |
|---|---|
| Reward Rate | 3.0 / 5 |
| Annual Fee Value | 3.5 / 5 |
| Spend Coverage | 2.0 / 5 |
| Travel & Lounge Access | 3.5 / 5 |
| App & Redemption Experience | 4.5 / 5 |
| Customer Service | 4.0 / 5 |
| Overall Rating ⭐️ | 3.4 / 5 |
Final Verdict: Who Should Apply?
The Axis Rewards Credit Card is ideal for those spending ₹20–30K monthly at apparel stores, departmental stores, and Swiggy. Its 10x retail reward rate (3.2% return) outperforms the 1% typically offered by cashback cards, and it includes domestic lounge access.
It can’t be your go to card for regular expenses. Pair it with SBI Cashback for online spends or the Flipkart Axis Card for e-commerce.
As a secondary card in a multi-card stack — it makes a lot of sense.
🔒 Safe & Secure via Axis Bank
IDFC First Wow Card
Build credit score effortlessly with high interest and travel benefits.
- Zero forex markup
- Earn ~6.5% p.a. on your FD
- Zero annual fee
FAQs
Is the Axis Rewards Credit Card worth ₹1,000 joining fee?
Yes, if you spend ₹1,000 within 30 days of getting the card. The 5,000 EDGE welcome points are worth ₹1,000, making Year 1 effectively free.
What is the annual fee waiver condition?
Spend ₹2,00,000 in the preceding card anniversary year. Note: rent, wallet loads, and several restricted categories don’t count toward this threshold.
Which categories get 10x EDGE Points?
Apparel and departmental stores. At 10x, effective return is ~3.2% — significantly better than the 1% most cashback cards offer on offline retail.
Does the AXIS150 Swiggy offer still work?
Yes, you can avail ₹150 off on orders ₹500 and above on Swiggy.
Can I upgrade from Axis Rewards to Axis Horizon?
Yes. If you’re not meeting the ₹2L spend waiver and are considering cancellation, call customer care — a system-generated upgrade offer to Horizon may be available. Note that Axis typically allows a maximum of 3 credit cards at a time, so plan your card portfolio accordingly.
This June 2026 review reflects personal experience and public data; Axis Bank terms may change. Verify details at Axis.bank.in. Applying via our affiliate links may earn Mobodaily a commission at no extra cost to you. Read the full privacy policy & disclaimer here.
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