Axis Bank
Horizon
The Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card is an airline-agnostic travel credit card positioned at an annual fee of Rs. 3,000.
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Data last updated 6 June 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹3,000
Joining Fee
₹3,000
Fee Waiver
N/A
Lounge Access
See details
Forex Markup
3.5%
Effective Yield
2% – 5%
Our Take
CreditGully Rating
Based on CreditGully editors' analysis. Not influenced by card issuers.
The Axis Bank Horizon Credit Card is an airline-agnostic travel credit card positioned at an annual fee of Rs. 3,000. It is designed to offer strong travel rewards and serves as the migration path for former Citi PremierMiles cardholders after Citibank's transition to Axis Bank. While it features a lower reward earning rate compared to its predecessor, it balances this with an improved 1:1 points-to-miles redemption ratio across more than 15 airline and hotel partners.
The card stands out primarily due to its generous lounge benefits and accelerated travel rewards. Cardholders can earn 5 EDGE Miles per Rs. 100 spent on travel, including direct airline websites and the Axis Travel EDGE portal, alongside up to 32 domestic and 8 international lounge visits annually. However, it lacks milestone benefits and annual fee waiver opportunities, which may limit the value for lower-spending users.
Ideally, this card is best suited for frequent, brand-agnostic travelers who do not have a strong loyalty to a specific airline or hotel chain. It is an excellent middle-ground option for those who want substantial travel perks and high lounge access counts without committing to the higher Rs. 5,000 annual fee of premium alternatives like the Axis Atlas.
What We Like
We highly appreciate that Axis Bank Horizon offers up to 32 domestic and 8 international airport lounge visits per year, which is exceptionally high for a card with a Rs. 3,000 annual fee. Furthermore, the welcome bonus of 5,000 EDGE Miles successfully offsets the joining fee, and the 1:1 redemption ratio across 15+ airline and hotel partners provides excellent flexibility.
Pros
- ✓Attractive redemption rate of up to 1:1 with multiple travel partners
- ✓Highly generous number of complimentary domestic and international airport lounge visits
- ✓Introductory welcome reward value that outweighs the cost of the first-year joining fee
- ✓Increased reward rates on travel purchases, including transactions made directly on airline websites and booking counters
- ✓Satisfactory baseline earning rate on everyday spending categories
Cons
- ✗Absence of milestone-based spending benefits
- ✗No option or spending threshold to waive the annual card fee
- ✗Certain daily transaction types are excluded from earning reward points
- ✗Travel partners are grouped with restrictive redemption caps placed on Group A partners
- ✗Standard international transaction markup fee with no promotional or reduced rate
Get This Card If
- ✓You travel frequently and want a travel credit card that is not tied to a single airline or hotel brand.
- ✓You require a high volume of free domestic and international airport lounge visits each year.
- ✓You do not have a preference for any specific travel brand or airline.
- ✓You plan to redeem your earned rewards directly for flight and hotel bookings.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct Airlines & Travel EDGE | 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 | 5.00% | No Upper Cap |
| All Other Retail Spends | 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 | 2.00% | No Upper Cap |
| Excluded Categories (2026) | No Miles Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹0.0 Lakh | Welcome Bonus5,000 pts | ₹5,000 (Travel Value) | Earn 5,000 EDGE Miles on the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance. |
| ₹0 Lakh | Renewal Bonus1,500 pts | ₹1,500 (Travel Value) | Awarded annually upon payment of the renewal fee. |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Partners (Group A & B) | 1.00 Point per Mile1:1 Ratio | Best Value (Partners include Air India, Singapore Air, and Flying Blue) |
| Travel EDGE Portal (Flights/Hotels) | ₹1.00 per Mile1:1 Ratio | High Value (Direct booking on Axis portal; acts like cash) |
| BA / Finnair / Lotusmiles | 0.50 Points per Mile2:1 Ratio | POOR Value (New 2026 ratio; avoid these specific transfers) |
What You Need to Know
April 2026 Partner Purge
Accor (ALL), Marriott Bonvoy, and Qatar Airways have been REMOVED as partners.
Impact: Massive blow to hotel enthusiasts; the card is now strictly for airline miles.
The 5 Lakh Transfer Cap
Annual mile transfers are capped at 5L total (1L for Group A, 4L for Group B).
Impact: While high, it prevents unlimited pooling for global first-class itineraries.
Lounge Spend Gate (2026)
Domestic lounge access requires a spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months.
Impact: You can't just 'hold' the card for free lounges; it must be an active part of your wallet.
No accelerated Hotel earning
Unlike the Axis Atlas, direct hotel spends only earn the base 2% rate.
Impact: Not ideal for business travelers who spend heavily on direct hotel check-ins.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, Rent, Wallet Load, Utility, Insurance, Government Services, and Educational fees.
Welcome Offer
Welcome Reward
5000 EDGE Miles credited on the first transaction greater than or equal to ₹1000 within 30 days of the card issuance date
Lounge Access
Domestic Lounge Access
8 Complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (VISA) and 6 complimentary visits per calendar quarter (Mastercard).
International Lounge Access
2 International airport lounge access per calendar quarter.
Travel Benefits
1:1 Miles Transfer
Transfer Horizon points to major airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio.
Accelerated Rewards
5 Horizon points per ₹200 spent on airline bookings and overseas transactions using Axis Bank Travel EDGE platform or direct airlines websites.
Dining Benefits
Dining Delights
Enjoy exceptional dining experiences at top restaurants across India with the Axis Bank Dining Delights Program.
Milestone Benefits
Renewal Benefit worth ₹1,500
1500 miles worth ₹1,500 are credited upon Credit Card anniversary every year (‘Renewal Miles’).
Additional Features
Air Accident Cover
Complimentary air accident insurance cover up to ₹2.5 Crores.
Purchase Protection
Purchase protection cover up to ₹1 Lakh for items bought using the card.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹3,000 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹3,000 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | N/A |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Age
Primary cardholder must be between 21 and 70 years of age.
Income
Must have a steady, verifiable income.
Ready to apply for Horizon?
Annual fee: ₹3,000
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fee
₹3,000
2% – 5% yield