Axis Bank
Airtel
The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card is a co-branded entry-level card designed to provide significant savings on utility bills and daily recharges. It is especially lucrative for Airtel loyalists, offering substantial cashback on mobile, broadband, Wi-Fi, and DTH recharges made via the Airtel Thanks App.
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Data last updated 6 June 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹500
Joining Fee
Nil
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹2,00,000 annually
Lounge Access
1 domestic lounge access per quarter
Forex Markup
3.5%
Effective Yield
1% – 25%
Our Take
CreditGully Rating
Based on CreditGully editors' analysis. Not influenced by card issuers.
The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card is a co-branded entry-level card designed to provide significant savings on utility bills and daily recharges. It is especially lucrative for Airtel loyalists, offering substantial cashback on mobile, broadband, Wi-Fi, and DTH recharges made via the Airtel Thanks App. The card has a low annual fee of Rs. 500, which can be waived upon spending Rs. 2 Lakh in a year, and currently features a first-year fee waiver for new-to-bank customers under a limited-time offer.
Its standout features include a high 25% cashback on Airtel services and 10% cashback on utilities like electricity, gas, and water when processed through the Airtel Thanks App. Cardholders also get a 10% value-back on everyday partner merchants including Zomato, Blinkit, and District Movies, alongside a 1% unlimited base cashback on other eligible transactions. However, effective April 12, 2026, the card underwent a major devaluation that discontinued domestic lounge access and tied the monthly caps of the 25% and 10% accelerated cashback tiers directly to the amount spent in the 1% base category.
This card is best suited for dedicated Airtel customers who frequently use the Airtel Thanks App and want to earn value-back on partner platforms like Zomato and Blinkit. To maximize the card's savings, users must be willing to route a portion of their regular, non-utility spending through the card to lift the capping limits on the accelerated cashback categories.
What We Like
We highly appreciate that the card offers up to 25% cashback on utility and telecom bills, a spending category that most other credit cards completely exclude from rewards. Additionally, the 10% value-back on popular everyday partner apps like Zomato and Blinkit adds great practical value for regular spenders.
Pros
- ✓Earn up to 25% cashback on Airtel bill payments and recharges.
- ✓Enjoy unlimited rewards with no capping on base category cashback.
- ✓Get 10% value-back on popular daily brands including Zomato, Blinkit, and District Movies.
Cons
- ✗Bill payment and utility benefits are strictly restricted to transactions made through the Airtel Thanks App.
- ✗Accelerated cashback categories are subjected to monthly capping linked to base category spends.
- ✗Complimentary domestic airport lounge access is no longer offered on this card.
Get This Card If
- ✓You are an Airtel customer who regularly handles bill payments and recharges through the Airtel Thanks App.
- ✓You want a low-fee credit card that provides substantial value-back on household utility bills.
- ✓You frequently spend money on partner platforms like Zomato, Blinkit, and District Movies.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel Services - Mobile, Broadband, WiFi & DTH bill (25% Cashback) | 25% Cashback via Airtel Thanks App | 25.00% | 2x of Base Cashback earned in cycle |
| Utilities via Airtel Thanks (10%) | 10% Cashback via Airtel Thanks App | 10.00% | 1x of Base Cashback earned in cycle |
| Preferred Partners (10% Value Back) | 10% back on Zomato, Blinkit, District Movies | 10.00% | ₹200 per partner, per month |
| Base Retail Spends (1%) | 1% Cashback (The 'Base' Multiplier) | 1.00% | No Upper Cap |
| Excluded Categories | No Cashback | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2 Lakh | Fee Waiver | ₹500 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived if previous year's spends exceed ₹2 Lakhs (Excludes Rent/Wallet). |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Statement Credit (Direct) | ₹1.00 per ₹1 Cashback1:1 Ratio | Automatic (Credited to the statement in the next billing cycle) |
| Partner Wallets (Zomato/Blinkit) | ₹1.00 per Credit1:1 Ratio | Restricted (Can only be used within the specific partner app) |
What You Need to Know
The Spend-to-Earn Trap
Rewards on Airtel (25%) and Utility (10%) are now proportional to your 1% spending.
Impact: If you spend ₹0 on retail, your bill rewards are ₹0. This is the biggest 2026 change.
Lounge Discontinuation
As of April 12, 2026, all complimentary lounge access has been removed.
Impact: Card is now purely a cashback tool with zero travel benefits.
Swiggy & BigBasket Removal
These merchants no longer qualify for 10% cashback.
Impact: Users should pivot to Blinkit or Zomato to maintain the 10% rate.
Minimum Order Requirement
A minimum spend of ₹499 is required on Zomato/Blinkit to earn any reward.
Impact: Small grocery runs or individual food orders will no longer earn rewards.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, EMI transactions, Wallet loads, Rent payments, Cash advances, Government services, Insurance, and Jewelry purchases.
Welcome Offer
Amazon Voucher
₹250 Amazon e-voucher on the first transaction made within 30 days of card issuance. (offer not applicable for cards issued without Joining fee)
Lounge Access
Domestic Lounge Access
4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar year. (minimum spend of ₹50,000 required in the previous 3 calendar months)
Travel Benefits
Wednesday Delight
Instant savings up to 15% on flights and hotels via Goibibo and MakeMyTri
Dining Benefits
Wednesday Delight
10% off on orders via Swiggy
Milestone Benefits
Annual Fee Waiver
Renewal fee waived upon achieving annual spends of ₹2 Lakh or more.
Additional Features
Tiered Cashback
25% cashback on Airtel Mobile, DTH, and Fiber bills; 10% on utility bills via Airtel Thanks App; 10% on Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket.
Wednesday Delight
• Instant savings of up to 15% on flights & hotels via Goibibo and MakeMyTrip • 10% off on orders via Swiggy • 10% off upto ₹1000 on Tira
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | Nil |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹500 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹2,00,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Age between 18-70 years
Income
Must have a steady, verifiable income.
Credit Score
A minimum CIBIL score of 736 is required.
Ready to apply for Airtel?
Annual fee: ₹500 · Waived on ₹2,00,000 spend
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fee
₹500
1% – 25% yield