Going to take my first travel card - Axis Atlas, need some inputs.

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

So after a lot of time spent on cashback cards and exploring a lot about travel cards, I finally decided to take the plunge and get into the world of travel card.
I had been avoiding Axis for some reasons all this while, but finally decided to take the Axis Atlas card.

Most importantly these days my bookings have changed, I usually book from direct airlines website or app, and hotels can be booked from traveledge.
So this gives me a chance to try my luck with Axis Atlas.

My travel and hotel stay is mostly domestic. My current cards do not give any good value on flight or hotel booking.
But Indigo flights are the one where I am stuck without any returns. (or may be 1.5% base returns)

I was shortlisting some of the other cards in this league:
- Amex Plat Travel: Amex not issuing cards now and low offline acceptance held me back
- HSBC Travel One: The advantage over Atlas is that OTAs are included but with Traveledge, I decided to go with Axis.
- HDFC Regalia Gold - I will be get this card sometime this year. When I get it, I will relook at my strategy.

Another thing that I considered is validity of edge miles and accor points.
I understand that Edge miles are valid for 3 years, but Accor points validity keeps extending as and when we transfer in points.

Use case of the Edge miles is stay in Accor hotels and nothing else.
In the next 1-2 years, I want to take my family to good places, and stay in good hotels, and I believe this will be a good choice.


I want to know the following things -
1. I don't have an Axis bank account. Will they give this card for people who doesnt have an account?
2. How is traveledge portal for booking hotels? (not accor or mariott kind of, but local ones)
3. I haven't considered anything about vouchers yet. Is it possible to play the voucher game with this card? If yes, how?
3. Did I mss anything else?

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

I accounted Neon subscription fee and told its effectively 3% and 4%.

There was a comparison of kiwi vs supermoney pro. I know supermoney is capped at 500 per month. But flat 3%.
Is kiwi comparable/better?

 

[nh124001]

There was a comparison of kiwi vs supermoney pro. I know supermoney is capped at 500 per month. But flat 3%.
Is kiwi comparable/better?

with free neon subscription + for 1Lpa spends it's better than supermoney

 

[prankster]

There was a comparison of kiwi vs supermoney pro. I know supermoney is capped at 500 per month. But flat 3%.
Is kiwi comparable/better?

Lots of vendors have stopped CC on UPI and the number is only increasing. It makes sense to have supermoney cc. There's no pressure of high spending and no fees either. Only if you can forsee yourself spending 1.5L in a year where merchants accept CC payment via Upi, then get Kiwi.

 

[HumorSimpson]

There was a comparison of kiwi vs supermoney pro. I know supermoney is capped at 500 per month. But flat 3%.
Is kiwi comparable/better?

Here is my detailed analysis

Post in thread 'Which card to go for? KIwi or Kredit.Pe ACE?'

Tuesday at 11:59 AM

Note: currently kiwi is issued by yes bank. If you already have some yes cc they may not process the application.

Now the first year subscription is not free since July 1st week even with referral . Referral rewards 300 Rs to applicant and 300 Rs to referee on successful on boarding.


kiwi with neon subscription gives 2% CB on scan &pays and milestone benefits of 3%, 4% and 5% at 50K, 1L and 1.5L. Without neon its 1.5% and no milestone benefits.

1. Neon Subscription(999rs + ginger special tea) you get 2% on scan & pay. Min spend is 100rs and...

• HumorSimpson

• 

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

I have applied for the card, there was a CIBIL hit. But still a lot of thoughts have been going on in my mind whethter to take it or not.
- Lot of excluded categories.
- Not sure whether I can meet the milestone or not.
- Spends will be spread thin across many cards.
- Don't like Axis mentally, they are blocking cards for unknown reasons, asking for invoices of spends, withholding reward points and what not.
- No fee waiver if I don't meet milestones
- Fear of devaluation (which is anyway there for any card)
- Will be gettiing Regalia Gold later this year, which I am keen to use as primary card compared to Atlas.
- Aligned more towards HDFC ecosystem, Regalia Gold being a more generic card, I like to use that as primary.

There are many positives for Atlas as well.
- reward rate 2EM = 4 accor = 8 INR which is really good.
- good lounge access
- easy to convert to accor.
- If used well and not blocked this can give good returns.

My main question is how about keeping both Regalia Gold and Atlas?
I think I will be able to meet some milestone in both but I am a little confused whether to keep both.
Hdfc is my primary ecosystem, all my other cards are hdfc and I am trying to get an upgrade to regalia Gold in some time later this year.
Will it be a bad idea to keep both Atlas and Regalia Gold ?

All my other cards are cashback cards and I use them for some specific spends etc.
I was thinking to make these two as my primary card for offline spends hotels or flights. Will it be an overkill to hold both of them?

 

[akiratoriyama]

I have applied for the card, there was a CIBIL hit. But still a lot of thoughts have been going on in my mind whethter to take it or not.
- Lot of excluded categories.
- Not sure whether I can meet the milestone or not.
- Spends will be spread thin across many cards.
- Don't like Axis mentally, they are blocking cards for unknown reasons, asking for invoices of spends, withholding reward points and what not.
- No fee waiver if I don't meet milestones
- Fear of devaluation (which is anyway there for any card)
- Will be gettiing Regalia Gold later this year, which I am keen to use as primary card compared to Atlas.
- Aligned more towards HDFC ecosystem, Regalia Gold being a more generic card, I like to use that as primary.

There are many positives for Atlas as well.
- reward rate 2EM = 4 accor = 8 INR which is really good.
- good lounge access
- easy to convert to accor.
- If used well and not blocked this can give good returns.

My main question is how about keeping both Regalia Gold and Atlas?
I think I will be able to meet some milestone in both but I am a little confused whether to keep both.
Hdfc is my primary ecosystem, all my other cards are hdfc and I am trying to get an upgrade to regalia Gold in some time later this year.
Will it be a bad idea to keep both Atlas and Regalia Gold ?

All my other cards are cashback cards and I use them for some specific spends etc.
I was thinking to make these two as my primary card for offline spends hotels or flights. Will it be an overkill to hold both of them?

You can keep axis for offline swipes and few categories where it might make sense over regalia imo. Personally I've had nothing but bad experiences with axis. Bank or credit card. That's one of the reasons why I'm not going for axis privilege despite it running ltf right now. Hdfc also hasn't been amazing but atleast they've not troubled me much. Hdfc Devaluations are also much more sensible than axis or any other banks in general.

 

[sourpai]

I have applied for the card, there was a CIBIL hit. But still a lot of thoughts have been going on in my mind whethter to take it or not.
- Lot of excluded categories.
- Not sure whether I can meet the milestone or not.
- Spends will be spread thin across many cards.
- Don't like Axis mentally, they are blocking cards for unknown reasons, asking for invoices of spends, withholding reward points and what not.
- No fee waiver if I don't meet milestones
- Fear of devaluation (which is anyway there for any card)
- Will be gettiing Regalia Gold later this year, which I am keen to use as primary card compared to Atlas.
- Aligned more towards HDFC ecosystem, Regalia Gold being a more generic card, I like to use that as primary.

There are many positives for Atlas as well.
- reward rate 2EM = 4 accor = 8 INR which is really good.
- good lounge access
- easy to convert to accor.
- If used well and not blocked this can give good returns.

My main question is how about keeping both Regalia Gold and Atlas?
I think I will be able to meet some milestone in both but I am a little confused whether to keep both.
Hdfc is my primary ecosystem, all my other cards are hdfc and I am trying to get an upgrade to regalia Gold in some time later this year.
Will it be a bad idea to keep both Atlas and Regalia Gold ?

All my other cards are cashback cards and I use them for some specific spends etc.
I was thinking to make these two as my primary card for offline spends hotels or flights. Will it be an overkill to hold both of them?

You are overthinking.

1. Only Jewellery is added as exclusion category compared to other cards, where as education is included as bonus. Rest like utilities, insurance, govt are common exclusion
2. I have been using card since 1.5 yrs and no issues til now... no invoice asking. Axis is generally targeting people who abuse it. And lot of people do that. For your use case, you don't have to worry

It is still the best card around in terms of reward rate

 

[tachniki]

I have applied for the card, there was a CIBIL hit. But still a lot of thoughts have been going on in my mind whethter to take it or not.
- Lot of excluded categories.
- Not sure whether I can meet the milestone or not.
- Spends will be spread thin across many cards.
- Don't like Axis mentally, they are blocking cards for unknown reasons, asking for invoices of spends, withholding reward points and what not.
- No fee waiver if I don't meet milestones
- Fear of devaluation (which is anyway there for any card)
- Will be gettiing Regalia Gold later this year, which I am keen to use as primary card compared to Atlas.
- Aligned more towards HDFC ecosystem, Regalia Gold being a more generic card, I like to use that as primary.

There are many positives for Atlas as well.
- reward rate 2EM = 4 accor = 8 INR which is really good.
- good lounge access
- easy to convert to accor.
- If used well and not blocked this can give good returns.

My main question is how about keeping both Regalia Gold and Atlas?
I think I will be able to meet some milestone in both but I am a little confused whether to keep both.
Hdfc is my primary ecosystem, all my other cards are hdfc and I am trying to get an upgrade to regalia Gold in some time later this year.
Will it be a bad idea to keep both Atlas and Regalia Gold ?

All my other cards are cashback cards and I use them for some specific spends etc.
I was thinking to make these two as my primary card for offline spends hotels or flights. Will it be an overkill to hold both of them?

Will you be able to use the card and its points in first year itself? If yes, then go ahead and use it for one year. See how you feel. And if not good, drop it.

Due to very similar reasons, I still have not made my mind to get it yet.

 

[rogerthat]

I have applied for the card, there was a CIBIL hit. But still a lot of thoughts have been going on in my mind whethter to take it or not.
- Lot of excluded categories.
- Not sure whether I can meet the milestone or not.
- Spends will be spread thin across many cards.
- Don't like Axis mentally, they are blocking cards for unknown reasons, asking for invoices of spends, withholding reward points and what not.
- No fee waiver if I don't meet milestones
- Fear of devaluation (which is anyway there for any card)
- Will be gettiing Regalia Gold later this year, which I am keen to use as primary card compared to Atlas.
- Aligned more towards HDFC ecosystem, Regalia Gold being a more generic card, I like to use that as primary.

There are many positives for Atlas as well.
- reward rate 2EM = 4 accor = 8 INR which is really good.
- good lounge access
- easy to convert to accor.
- If used well and not blocked this can give good returns.

My main question is how about keeping both Regalia Gold and Atlas?
I think I will be able to meet some milestone in both but I am a little confused whether to keep both.
Hdfc is my primary ecosystem, all my other cards are hdfc and I am trying to get an upgrade to regalia Gold in some time later this year.
Will it be a bad idea to keep both Atlas and Regalia Gold ?

All my other cards are cashback cards and I use them for some specific spends etc.
I was thinking to make these two as my primary card for offline spends hotels or flights. Will it be an overkill to hold both of them?

I have been using Axis Atlas as my primary card for the past two years (ever since Magnus was killed) and I am completely happy with it. I achieved Platinum status both years and already made a trip with the Miles I earned off it. I am careful to make only legitimate spends on it. My spends on other cards are negligible. The only other major cards I use are the AMEX Trifecta (for bonus points - mainly for Amazon Pay vouchers, wallet loads, NPS, insurance, etc.) and the Amazon Pay card.

And yes, let me tell you about their credit cards. I have the lifetime DCP which is equal in reward structure to RG. It is nowhere near Atlas when it comes the calculation of benefits.

Since you are looking at airmiles transfer, DCP/RG have a base reward rate of 4 points per Rs.150 and then a transfer ratio of 3:1 for most transfer partners. This means the base reward rate on DCP/RG is a measly 0.8% against Atlas 4%. Even after transferring to Accor it hardly touches 1.5%.

I've been using HDFC DCP as a secondard card for the past 6 months hoping to get DCBM but have now stopped because HDFC has made it so difficult to get it that is pointless spending on such a shitty card with pathetic returns and zero benefits. And RG is more or less DCP only with better acceptance.

Only if you consider accelerated reward rates of 5% (Smartbuy) does the reward rate hit 4.44% for airlines and 8% for Accor.

And also, Atlas has no charge on buying Amazon vouchers off Gift Edge while HDFC charges 4.13% incl. GST.

About the banks: I completely agree with everyone else that Axis Bank as a company and bank is a disaster. There is no disputing that. That said, my own personal experience with them has been pretty good so far. On the other hand, HDFC have been personally very bad to me. I've been a salary account holder with them for quite some time and also have FDs, RDs, Mutual Funds, Insurance, family banking etc. with them. Still there is no benefit they give. Forget premium credit cards, they give absolutely nothing. No reduced interest rates, no locker, no priority on anything, no RM. The only time the BM contacts me is once in three months to trying to sell some crappy ULIP or endowment products or tying to make me install random apps.

It is your decision, I am just trying to lay out the differences between the cards. If I were to make a suggestion I would say use Atlas as the primary card for everything and use RG only for Smartbuy and insurance. Exclusions are more or less the same for both. The biggest disadvantage I see with Atlas is the ridiculous transfer capping of 30K miles for group A.

 

[Aniket Sharma]

I have been using Axis Atlas as my primary card for the past two years (ever since Magnus was killed) and I am completely happy with it. I achieved Platinum status both years and already made a trip with the Miles I earned off it. I am careful to make only legitimate spends on it. My spends on other cards are negligible. The only other major cards I use are the AMEX Trifecta (for bonus points - mainly for Amazon Pay vouchers, wallet loads, NPS, insurance, etc.) and the Amazon Pay card.

And yes, let me tell you about their credit cards. I have the lifetime DCP which is equal in reward structure to RG. It is nowhere near Atlas when it comes the calculation of benefits.

Since you are looking at airmiles transfer, DCP/RG have a base reward rate of 4 points per Rs.150 and then a transfer ratio of 3:1 for most transfer partners. This means the base reward rate on DCP/RG is a measly 0.8% against Atlas 4%. Even after transferring to Accor it hardly touches 1.5%.

I've been using HDFC DCP as a secondard card for the past 6 months hoping to get DCBM but have now stopped because HDFC has made it so difficult to get it that is pointless spending on such a shitty card with pathetic returns and zero benefits. And RG is more or less DCP only with better acceptance.

Only if you consider accelerated reward rates of 5% (Smartbuy) does the reward rate hit 4.44% for airlines and 8% for Accor.

And also, Atlas has no charge on buying Amazon vouchers off Gift Edge while HDFC charges 4.13% incl. GST.

About the banks: I completely agree with everyone else that Axis Bank as a company and bank is a disaster. There is no disputing that. That said, my own personal experience with them has been pretty good so far. On the other hand, HDFC have been personally very bad to me. I've been a salary account holder with them for quite some time and also have FDs, RDs, Mutual Funds, Insurance, family banking etc. with them. Still there is no benefit they give. Forget premium credit cards, they give absolutely nothing. No reduced interest rates, no locker, no priority on anything, no RM. The only time the BM contacts me is once in three months to trying to sell some crappy ULIP or endowment products or tying to make me install random apps.

It is your decision, I am just trying to lay out the differences between the cards. If I were to make a suggestion I would say use Atlas as the primary card for everything and use RG only for Smartbuy and insurance. Exclusions are more or less the same for both. The biggest disadvantage I see with Atlas is the ridiculous transfer capping of 30K miles for group A.

In normal scenerio, still they may flag if you try to hold points for longer use.

And also block the rewards redemption etc.

I am a hdfc dcbm user and had regalia gold ltf, the benefit that I got from it was too awesome,

Flight voucher on milestones are pretty good, you can use a voucher intelligently that I used already in march.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Thanks everyone for your contributions, giving the additional information and boosting my confidence.
For the time being I will take both Atlas and RG. Will try Atlas for the first year and see how it goes, based on that I will decide to continue..
There is no point standing on the sides for so long. I'll take the plunge and see.

 

[tachniki]

Thanks everyone for your contributions, giving the additional information and boosting my confidence.
For the time being I will take both Atlas and RG. Will try Atlas for the first year and see how it goes, based on that I will decide to continue..
There is no point standing on the sides for so long. I'll take the plunge and see.

Yo boy.

 

[raghumahajan]

Thanks @cardio_guy for starting this thread. I am on same page looking for a better card for offline spends.

Thanks all who interacted, I have cleared my doubts too without even adding a single post in the thread.

- my take on this: I will not apply axis atlas as it doesn't suit my profile. I will not be able to use its potential in redemption as I am not into travel now and jewellery is what I am looking as required category.
After this, although I didn't like Regalia Gold very much, but to start I can use this.

People here can suggest if any other card is beneficial for me provided i should be able to get atleast 2% value back.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Thanks @raghumahajan bro.
Yes these discussions help us go in detail or open up or unlock the solution.
What makes me happy is that we have so many experienced users who have first hand experience on using the card and are ready to provide information and help. That makes this community stronger and better.