Reserve
Base Rate
1.5%
Forex Markup
1.5%
Joining Fee
₹50,000
Milestones
1
💳 Fee Structure
🧮 Reward Calculator
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Net Annual Value
-₹48,380
After ₹50,000 annual fee deduction
Base Rewards
₹1,620
Forex Net
+₹0
Milestones
₹0
Milestone Progress
Annual fee of ₹50,000 waived on ₹35L annual spend (Utility, rent, wallet, gov, insurance, fuel, and EMI spends excluded)
Spend ₹35L annually
📝 Detailed Review
The CardVault Verdict
The Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card is one of the most exclusive credit cards in the Indian market. While its ₹50,000 annual fee is high, it offers a strong suite of lifestyle perks like unlimited lounge visits with 12 guest entries, VIP airport assistance, 50 golf rounds, and a competitive 1.5% forex markup. However, devaluations in 2026 (removal of Accor, Marriott, Qatar Airways) and discontinuation of airport transfers and Oberoi vouchers make it less flexible for broad award redemptions.
Who Should Apply?
This card is best suited for high net-worth individuals who travel frequently and can extract full value from the VIP assistance services and luxury memberships. If you cannot reach the ₹35L fee-waiver threshold or do not utilize the luxury memberships, the card will be a net negative.
Lounge Access
Unconditional Access
No minimum spend required to unlock lounge visits.
Visits / Year
999visits
Guest Visits
12guests
Supported Networks
Additional Notes
Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders. Includes 12 complimentary guest visits per year.
🔄 Transfer Partners
Singapore Airlines (KrisFlyer)
airline
Air Canada (Aeroplan)
airline
United Airlines (MileagePlus)
airline
Etihad Guest
airline
Turkish Airlines (Miles&Smiles)
airline
Japan Airlines (JAL Mileage Bank)
airline
British Airways Executive Club
airline
Finnair Plus
airline
Air India (Flying Returns)
airline
IndiGo (BluChip)
airline
SpiceJet (SpiceClub)
airline
IHG One Rewards
hotel
Wyndham Rewards
hotel
Radisson Rewards
hotel
ITC Hotels (Curated)
hotel
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✓Pros
- •Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders with 12 free guest visits per year (unconditional)
- •1.5% base reward rate and 3.0% on international spends
- •Low 1.5% forex markup fee — very competitive for international purchases
- •8 complimentary VIP airport assistance/porter services per year
- •Complimentary premium memberships: Accor Plus Explorer, Club Marriott Asia Pacific, Club ITC Culinaire, Swiggy One
- •50 complimentary golf visits per calendar year at premium courses
- •15,000 welcome/activation EDGE Reward Points
- •Generous BookMyShow BOGO offer on movie and non-movie tickets
✗Cons
- •High ₹50,000 annual fee (+ GST)
- •High ₹35 Lakh fee waiver threshold (Utility, rent, wallet, gov, insurance, fuel, and EMI spends excluded)
- •Accor, Marriott Bonvoy, and Qatar Airways removed from transfer partners (April 2026)
- •British Airways & Finnair transfer ratios devalued to 5:2
- •Discontinued benefits: Luxury airport transfers (April 2024) and Oberoi hotel offers (October 2025)
- •No reward points earned on rent, fuel, gold, utilities, and insurance transactions
Historical Changes
Track record of card modifications
Sweeping Transfer Partner Cull
Removed Accor Live Limitless, Marriott Bonvoy, and Qatar Privilege Club from EDGE transfer partners. Slashed British Air…
Oberoi Hotels Offers Discontinued
Removed complimentary Oberoi hotel vouchers and discounts.
Airport Transfers Discontinued
Complimentary luxury airport transfer benefits removed.