Axis ATLAS vs. Axis Horizon: Which airline agnostic credit card is better?

For a long time, Axis Bank ATLAS credit card dominated a major space in the list of travel credit cards as the only airline-agnostic credit card in India. Now, however, post the migration of Citibank credit cards to Axis Bank, ATLAS has a competition—the Axis Horizon Credit Card. Both credit cards offer a similar line of benefits but come with varying annual fees, with a difference of Rs. 2,000. But which one is better? Read our comparison to find out.

Unlike co-branded airline credit cards that offer travel benefits on partnered airlines, an airline agnostic card offers benefits on multiple airlines. Thus, a suitable choice for travelers who prefer airline travel but do not have any specific brand preference.

Similar value-back on card activation

With Axis ATLAS, cardholders earn 2500 EDGE miles at a joining fee of Rs. 5,000, which convert to 5,000 partner miles (due to a conversion ratio of 1:2). Axis Horizon also offers 5000 partner miles (conversion ratio of 1:1).

Since these cards have similar airline partners, both offer a similar value-back on activation due to an equivalent number of airmiles. If you are seeking a higher value back here, understand that even with a difference of Rs. 2,000 in the joining fee, the benefit is the same.

But activation benefits cannot be a deciding factor to choose the right card. It is better to analyze other travel benefits as well. Other than miles conversion, both cards also offer direct travel bookings as a redemption option. With ATLAS, the bonus miles on activation offer a 1:1 value against travel bookings, thus Rs. 2,500. Though a decent return, it is lower than the fee paid. For Axis Horizon, no specific value is mentioned for the redemption of miles against travel bookings.

Axis ATLAS has a complex tier-based structure, but suitable for heavy spenders

Unlike most credit cards that offer just the milestone benefits as a spend-based feature, Axis ATLAS keeps lounge access and renewal benefits as well based on the spends in a year.

Thus, spending more on the card can fetch users not just higher savings via the rewards but across other categories as well. Based on the annual spends, cardholders are categorized in the following tiers:

• Silver: In the first year/On annual spends of up to Rs. 3 lakh
• Gold: On annual spends of Rs. 7.5 lakh
• Platinum: On annual spends of Rs. 15 lakh

Card users are categorized into one of these tiers every year, based on the total spent in the previous anniversary year. If a user fails to meet the spend requirement of a particular tier, he is downgraded to a lower tier. The higher the spend, the better the tier, which in turn leads to better benefits. When looking at the highest benefits on the card, the benefits are too good for a card at a fee of Rs. 5,000 and decent for this fee at the lowest tier.

In comparison to this complex structure of Axis ATLAS, Horizon has a very simple structure. No matter the spend value, all users earn the same benefits.

Despite being airline-agnostic cards, both cards justify the fee charged, covering benefits around lounge access and welcome and renewal benefits. But comparatively, ATLAS is a better choice, especially for heavy spenders. Except for access to domestic lounge access, ATLAS offer better returns with additional milestone and renewal benefits.

For better clarity on this, check this table below:

Even with a spend-based limitation, ATLAS wins due to a great redemption rate

Both cards offer a similar base rate of 2 EDGE Miles on every Rs. 100 spent. Even the accelerated reward earn rate on travel bookings for both cards is the same, but ATLAS offers 5 EDGE points for every Rs. 100 only on travel spends up to Rs. 2 lakh. Beyond this value, users earn base rates on their card spends.That way, card users spending more than Rs. 2 lakh per cycle with ATLAS will have to plan their spends in multiple months in order to derive the maximum value-back.

Axis Horizon, on the other hand, offers accelerated 5 EDGE rewards on every Rs. 100 spent on travel, irrespective of the spend limitation. But, in comparison to ATLAS, Horizon offers a low reward value of 1:1 in comparison to 1:2. Thus, in some cases, the spend-limitation on ATLAS would hardly make a difference.

For spend up to Rs. 2 Lakh on travel, ATLAS might fetch a higher return due to a conversion rate of 1:2, but on spends beyond Rs. 2 lakh, there can be a slight difference in the value-back. But, the slightly less number of partner miles earned on ATLAS are compensated well via other other benefits offered based on the card’s tier structure. Spending as much as 5 lakh on travel in a month, which is too high a value, can fetch users a great return, by automatically moving the user to a higher tier.

Another notable point is that despite charging a lower fee than ATLAS, Axis Horizon offers multiple redemption options. But considering the cards are designed to offer airline benefits, ATLAS again wins to due a higher return via miles conversion.

So, which is the better airmile credit card between the two?

Individually, both cards offer justified benefits based on the annual fee they charge.  At a fee of Rs. 3,000, Horizon does really well with a good redemption ratio and no spend-based limitation on earning accelerated rewards.

Similarly, with a slightly higher fee of Rs. 5,000, Axis ATLAS offers an airline redemption of 1:2—even better than most premium credit cards in the market. But the best benefits on the card are only offered to high spenders. Thus, here card users will have to put most expenses on the card to derive the maximum value-back. While this could be convenient for users owning single credit cards, those who own multiple cards might struggle to meet the thresholds.

Both cards are suitable only for frequent travelers seeking airline travel benefits; for all-round lifestyle benefits, consumers should explore other options.