Priority Pass
Axis Bank
Reserve
The Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card is a super-premium credit card tailored specifically for high-income individuals and frequent travelers. While it has undergone devaluations, it remains a powerhouse for luxury travel and lifestyle benefits, offering a base reward earning rate of 15 Edge Reward Points per Rs.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 7 June 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹50,000
Joining Fee
₹50,000
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹35,00,000 annually
Lounge Access
See details
Forex Markup
1.5%
Effective Yield
1.2% – 4.8%
Our Take
CreditGully Rating
Based on CreditGully editors' analysis. Not influenced by card issuers.
The Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card is a super-premium credit card tailored specifically for high-income individuals and frequent travelers. While it has undergone devaluations, it remains a powerhouse for luxury travel and lifestyle benefits, offering a base reward earning rate of 15 Edge Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on domestic purchases and double on international transactions.
Its standout features include an unparalleled lounge access program, which is widely considered one of the best in the market, along with elite hotel memberships such as Club ITC Culinaire, Accorplus, and Club Marriott. Cardholders also gain access to 50 free rounds of golf annually and attractive entertainment discounts on BookMyShow.
This card is ideal for affluent individuals who frequently travel, appreciate golf, and can easily meet the high annual spend of Rs. 35 Lakh required to waive the steep Rs. 50,000 yearly fee. However, those looking for versatile redemption across day-to-day categories or a high point-to-mile transfer ratio might find better value elsewhere.
What We Like
We love the market-leading lounge program that provides unlimited domestic and international lounge visits for both primary and add-on cardholders, plus 12 complimentary guest visits. The complimentary premium hotel memberships and the generous 50 free rounds of golf annually also make it exceptionally rewarding for luxury lifestyles.
Pros
- ✓Unlimited domestic and international lounge visits for primary and add-on cardholders.
- ✓Complimentary elite memberships at premium hotels including Accorplus, Club Marriott, and ITC Culinaire.
- ✓Highly competitive low foreign currency markup fee of just 1.5%.
- ✓No charges levied on cash withdrawals.
Cons
- ✗Extremely steep joining and annual fee of Rs. 50,000.
- ✗Very high annual spending threshold of Rs. 35 Lakh required for a fee waiver.
- ✗Low point-to-mile redemption ratio of 5:2.
- ✗Division of partners in the Miles Transfer Program with strict caps.
- ✗Exclusion of everyday spending categories like utilities, fuel, insurance, and gold from the rewards program.
Get This Card If
- ✓You want premium benefits and luxury add-ons like golf benefits and elite hotel memberships.
- ✓You are a frequent traveler who wants to maximize savings on lounge visits and flights.
- ✓You prefer redeeming your rewards points specifically for air miles or hotel loyalty points.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| International Spends (2X) | 30 EDGE Reward Points (RP) per ₹200 | 3% - 4.8% | Capped at monthly credit limit |
| Domestic Retail Spends | 15 EDGE Reward Points (RP) per ₹200 | 1.5% | No Upper Cap |
| Excluded Categories (2026) | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹35 Lakh | Fee Waiver | ₹50,000 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived for the next year if annual spends exceed ₹35 Lakhs (excluding rent/wallet). |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Partners (Standard Group B) | ₹0.40 - ₹1.00 per RP5:2 Ratio | Best Value (Partners: Singapore Air, Air India, ITC, Flying Blue) |
| New Partners (Group A - BA/Finnair) | ₹0.20 per RP5:1 Ratio | POOR Value (Redeeming for Avios now requires 2.5x more points than before) |
| Statement Credit (Cash) | ₹0.20 per RP5:1 Ratio | Avoid (Significant 80% loss in value compared to travel transfer) |
What You Need to Know
Lounge guest restrictions
Unlimited for primary/add-on, but guest visits are capped at 12 per year.
Impact: If traveling with a large family multiple times, you will exhaust guest credits quickly.
Forex Markup vs Reward
1.5% markup is low, but combined with 6% yield, it's a net 4.5% gain—the best in India.
Impact: Remains the best card for high-value international luxury shopping.
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, Rent, Wallet loading, Insurance, Government payments, and Utility services do not earn reward points.
Welcome Offer
Welcome Points
15,000 EDGE Reward points credited on card activation.
Luxury Memberships
Complimentary Accor Plus, Club ITC Culinaire, and Club Marriott Asia Pacific memberships.
Lounge Access
Priority PassUnlimited Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary domestic lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders.
Unlimited International Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary international lounge access using Priority Pass.
Travel Benefits
Complimentary airport concierge services
8 complimentary VIP Assistance Services for a smooth and hassle-free experience. The services include assistance across airport processes, such as check-in, security check, immigration processes and porter services.
15% savings at Postcard Hotel
15% off on best available room rate.
Dining Benefits
EazyDiner Prime
Complimentary membership with up to 25% discount at select premium restaurants.
ITC Dining
Savings and benefits via the ITC Culinaire membership.
Golf Benefits
Golf Privileges
50 complimentary rounds of golf per year at premier golf courses across India.
Milestone Benefits
Renewal Reward Points
50,000 EDGE Reward points credited upon payment of the annual renewal fee.
Additional Features
Health & Wellness
Complimentary medical second opinions and health check-ups at luxury wellness centers.
BookMyShow discounts
Buy 1 movie ticket and get upto Rs.500 off on the second ticket for a maximum of 5 times a month; Buy 1 non-movie ticket and get upto Rs. 1000 off on the second ticket for a maximum of 5 times a month
Rewards Program
15,000 Reward Points on Card activation; 15 edge reward points for every Rs.200 spent; 2X rewards on international spends
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹50,000 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹50,000 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹35,00,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 1.5% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility
Offered via invitation or to high-net-worth individuals meeting internal bank criteria.
Ready to apply for Reserve?
Annual fee: ₹50,000 · Waived on ₹35,00,000 spend
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fee
₹50,000
1.2% – 4.8% yield