Axis Magnus HDFC Infinia and Axis Magnus comparison (as of July 22nd 2023)

[Cardmarvel]

Now that Axis Magnus's devaluation is confirmed, I thought of comparing it with HDFC Infinia. I own both the cards (actually both me and wife currently hold Magnus and Infinia). So I've personal interest in the comparison.

Joining/Annual Fees and Benefits

First, regarding the fees. Both have similar joining fees of Rs 12500, though you can get Infinia plastic at a cheaper price of Rs 10000. The cards have similar renewal fees as well. Again, Infinia plastic is actually cheaper. But the significant advantage of HDFC Infinia is that they also give back equal number of points on paying annual fees. Axis Magnus is going to discontinue to that. That way, HDFC Infinia scores above Magnus on joining/annual fee benefits

General Spends

Infinia has a general reward rate of 5 points per Rs 150 spend, while Magnus has a rate of 6 points per Rs 200 spend, upto Rs 200000 per month. After that the rate goes up to 35 points per Rs 200.

		Infinia				Magnus				Magnus + Burdundy
General Spends	Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points
20000	666. (3.33% )	666. (3.33% )	666. (3.33% )		1200 (6% )	240 (1.2% )	480 (2.4% )		1200 (6% )	240 (1.2% )	960 (4.8% )
100000	3330. (3.33% )	3330. (3.33% )	3330. (3.33% )		6000 (6% )	1200 (1.2% )	2400 (2.4% )		6000 (6% )	1200 (1.2% )	4800 (4.8% )
300000	9990. (3.33% )	9990. (3.33% )	9990. (3.33% )		35250 (11.75% )	7050 (2.35% )	14100 (4.7% )		35250 (11.75% )	7050 (2.35% )	28200 (9.4% )

So unless you've Magnus + Burgundy, Infinia does better for general spends. It also scores over Magnus + Burgundy if you are converting points into cash equivalent. But for higher monthly spends and Burgundy and transferring to airline/hotels, Magnus wins hands down. Now remember Burgundy 5:4 is time bound and Axis may change it any day. So I would rather go with Infinia.

TravelEdge/SmartBuy

Magnus offers 5x on TravelEdge for Hotel and flight booking, but now capped at 2L per month. After that the reward rate drops to 35 points per Rs 200. On the other hand, Infinia offers 5x on flight booking and 10x on hotel booking, but caps it to 15000 points per month. There is also a daily cap of 7500 points, so the actual Infinia benefits might even be lower.

Travel Portal		Infinia				Magnus				Magnus + Burdundy
Hotel	Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points
50000	15000 (30% )	15000 (30% )	15000 (30% )		15000 (30% )	3000 (6% )	6000 (12% )		15000 (30% )	3000 (6% )	12000 (24% )
100000	15000 (15% )	15000 (15% )	15000 (15% )		30000 (30% )	6000 (6% )	12000 (12% )		30000 (30% )	6000 (6% )	24000 (24% )
300000	15000 (5% )	15000 (5% )	15000 (5% )		77500 (25.83% )	15500 (5.17% )	31000 (10.33% )		77500 (25.83% )	15500 (5.17% )	62000 (20.67% )
Airline
50000	8250 (16.5% )	8250 (16.5% )	8250 (16.5% )		15000 (30% )	3000 (6% )	6000 (12% )		15000 (30% )	3000 (6% )	12000 (24% )
100000	15000 (15% )	15000 (15% )	15000 (15% )		30000 (30% )	6000 (6% )	12000 (12% )		30000 (30% )	6000 (6% )	24000 (24% )
300000	15000 (5% )	15000 (5% )	15000 (5% )		77500 (25.83% )	15500 (5.17% )	31000 (10.33% )		77500 (25.83% )	15500 (5.17% )	62000 (20.67% )

For higher monthly spends on hotel and airline booking, Magnus + Burgundy beats Infinia by a huge margin. But for spends less than Rs 50000 for hotel bookings and Rs 1L for airline bookings, Infinia does very well. The monthly cap of 15000 points on Infinia makes it less attractive if your monthly (or even one time) spends are significant. If you spend 5-6L on hotel/airline once or twice in a year, you would want to seriously consider keeping Magnus and opening Burgundy account. Otherwise you can live with Infinia.

Gyftr Amazon Pay

Infinia still offers 5x on Amazon Pay vouchers whereas Magnus has scaled it down to 2x. With that context, Infinia scores inline with Magnus + Burgundy and beats Magnus handsomely

Gyftr		Infinia				Magnus				Magnus + Burdundy
APay	Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points		Points	Cash/Cash Equivalent	Miles/Hotel Points
20000	3300 (16.5% )	3300 (16.5% )	3300 (16.5% )		2400 (12% )	480 (2.4% )	960 (4.8% )		2400 (12% )	480 (2.4% )	1920 (9.6% )
ASV
20000	3300 (16.5% )	3300 (16.5% )	3300 (16.5% )		3600 (18% )	720 (3.6% )	1440 (7.2% )		3600 (18% )	720 (3.6% )	2880 (14.4% )

Conclusion

While Magnus has been devalued to a huge extent, it's still a good card for those who can keep Burgundy relationship, especially if monthly spends are significantly higher than Infinia's monthly cap. If you have (like me) multiple Magnus cards in the family, there is no point holding more than one. In fact, it's now detrimental to split expenses on 2 cards. I will surrender one of Magnus cards, but will keep the other and also maintain Burgundy status. Will review this decision a year from now when my Magnus comes for renewal again.

If I missed something or there are errors, please bring to my attention. Will update accordingly.

 

[neogen]

Seems like a good strategy but HDFC is not giving DCB or Infinia to everyone. I meet the salary criteria but still no luck. I don’t want to use Regalia as it has very poor reward ratio.

I am 2 to 3 lakhs short of 15lakhs milestone on Magnus. (August will still get 25k milestone). I will continue using till then and hope axis improves the card after sometime. And I will apply for Amex Plat travel card meanwhile.

I will use Regalia on smartbuy where magnus has only 2x while I am with magnus.
Use Amex MRCC upto 20k every month.

I need better cards to improve my strategy.

Blessing in disguise, this Axis Magnus mess is giving all of us an opportunity to be sane with their respective CC portfolio.

What limited I have learnt on this forum is that CC portfolio should be based on spend profile and pattern. So, please understand your spend pattern categories and then build the right portfolio. For example, I have a ~15 to 18L of annual travel spend, I don't use traveledge or any aggregator, rather settle directly with hotel or airline partner, therefore for me Axis Atlas is a no brainer.

And, for heavens sake its advisable to stay away from all this BS of manufactured spent etc.. not worth the time and effort.

 

[bigbrain]

Blessing in disguise, this Axis Magnus mess is giving all of us an opportunity to be sane with their respective CC portfolio.

What limited I have learnt on this forum is that CC portfolio should be based on spend profile and pattern. So, please understand your spend pattern categories and then build the right portfolio. For example, I have a ~15 to 18L of annual travel spend, I don't use traveledge or any aggregator, rather settle directly with hotel or airline partner, therefore for me Axis Atlas is a no brainer.

And, for heavens sake its advisable to stay away from all this BS of manufactured spent etc.. not worth the time and effort.

Absolutely agree.
Never into manufactured spend. I am not even in favour of changing a brand just because of reward points. CC spend should not be like thinking which brand, which card all the time. I am ok with buying vouchers instead of paying directly. That’s the only exception for me

 

[neogen]

I am ok with buying vouchers instead of paying directly. That’s the only exception for me

This part I also want to understand better, I read something about gyftr & Infinia. I do buy frequently from Amazon. Perhaps, will search the forum.

 

[Cardmarvel]

This part I also want to understand better, I read something about gyftr & Infinia. I do buy frequently from Amazon. Perhaps, will search the forum.

Instant Vouchers - Exclusive Offers & Discounts on Gift Vouchers

Buy gift vouchers & gift cards of top brands using your HDFC Credit card or Debit card. Also, get up to 5X Reward points on Select credit card & 5% Cashback on HDFC Credit & debit cards.

www.gyftr.com

 

[neogen]

Instant Vouchers - Exclusive Offers & Discounts on Gift Vouchers

Buy gift vouchers & gift cards of top brands using your HDFC Credit card or Debit card. Also, get up to 5X Reward points on Select credit card & 5% Cashback on HDFC Credit & debit cards.

www.gyftr.com

There is a Processing Fee of 1.25% + GST on Amazon Pay Gift Cards.

What about this?

 

[NewUser]

There is a Processing Fee of 1.25% + GST on Amazon Pay Gift Cards.

What about this?

I purchase ₹5k Amazon Pay gift cards at a time(once a month) for all utility bills and other places such as Urban Clap which accepts Amazon Pay as payment mode. Since there's a 1.25% + GST on the cards, the effective cashback becomes 16.2% instead of the usual 16.5%(5x reward points). Still pretty decent.

For buying goods from Amazon, I buy Amazon shopping vouchers, which don't include the processing fee.

 

[Cardmarvel]

There is a Processing Fee of 1.25% + GST on Amazon Pay Gift Cards.

What about this?

Nothing about that.. you pay it 😊

 

[neogen]

I purchase ₹5k Amazon Pay gift cards at a time(once a month) for all utility bills and other places such as Urban Clap which accepts Amazon Pay as payment mode. Since there's a 1.25% + GST on the cards, the effective cashback becomes 16.2% instead of the usual 16.5%(5x reward points). Still pretty decent.

For buying goods from Amazon, I buy Amazon shopping vouchers, which don't include the processing fee.

I guess I missed seeing this voucher on gyftr site.

 

[divyam_taparia]

SmartBuy allows you pay for hotel and airline booking (and Apple and Tanishq products too if I recall correctly) using points at 1:1 ratio. Yeah, it’s not exactly same as cash, but it’s quite close ( at least to me)

for apple everything is at MRP and for tickets and hotel bookings they add like 400rs service charge.. this should be taken into consideration while making calculations

 

[vina]

it is 35 points for every 200 after 1.5 lakhs. Not 2 lakhs.
Also magnus + burgandy is time bound. It is not a permanent feature of I understand right.

can you point to where it says that the 5:4 is time bound, I couldn't find it in the document though many people have said it

it seemed to me that Axis was giving a time bound offer after Sep 1 to move to Burgundy+Magnus and for those who did move the rate will be 5:4; I didn't see it in the document that that rate will be time bound for those who move to Burgundy+Magnus

 

[Cardmarvel]

can you point to where it says that the 5:4 is time bound, I couldn't find it in the document though many people have said it

it seemed to me that Axis was giving a time bound offer after Sep 1 to move to Burgundy+Magnus and for those who did move the rate will be 5:4; I didn't see it in the document that that rate will be time bound for those who move to Burgundy+Magnus

Read the FAQ. It’s unclear whether opting for the offer is time bound or whether the conversion at 5:4 is time bound

https://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/credit-cards/mgtc.pdf

 

[bigbrain]

can you point to where it says that the 5:4 is time bound, I couldn't find it in the document though many people have said it

it seemed to me that Axis was giving a time bound offer after Sep 1 to move to Burgundy+Magnus and for those who did move the rate will be 5:4; I didn't see it in the document that that rate will be time bound for those who move to Burgundy+Magnus

As CardMarvel said, the wordings are not clear and left to the interpretation of the reader 🤓

I guess they are also planning what to offer. We have to wait for Sept 1.

 

[vina]

Read the FAQ. It’s unclear whether opting for the offer is time bound or whether the conversion at 5:4 is time bound

https://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/credit-cards/mgtc.pdf

It is true that the first few lines are ambiguous. You can read them to mean that the offer to move over to Burgundy is time bound. And you can also read them to mean that the enjoyment of the 5:4 ratio is time bound.

However the circled part above (provide you maintain ...) seems to indicate that it is the former interpretation that is correct - you can open a Burgundy account (may be invited to open one for a limited time if you already have a Magnus Card) and as long as you fulfil the requirements set out at the end of the document you keep getting the 5:4

if you don't continue to fulfil the requirements, you don't enjoy the 5:4

 

[vina]

As CardMarvel said, the wordings are not clear and left to the interpretation of the reader 🤓

I guess they are also planning what to offer. We have to wait for Sept 1.

yes sir, hence the above post I sent. to me it seems illogical to extend the 5:4 beyond Sep 1 to another date.

 

[hrish88]

It is true that the first few lines are ambiguous. You can read them to mean that the offer to move over to Burgundy is time bound. And you can also read them to mean that the enjoyment of the 5:4 ratio is time bound.

However the circled part above (provide you maintain ...) seems to indicate that it is the former interpretation that is correct - you can open a Burgundy account (may be invited to open one for a limited time if you already have a Magnus Card) and as long as you fulfil the requirements set out at the end of the document you keep getting the 5:4

if you don't continue to fulfil the requirements, you don't enjoy the 5:4

you are correct at least it seems that Axis is giving timebound offer to people to open a burgandy account and continue using 5:4 ratio.But whatever it is we will know by sept 1st unless axis drops some other bomb in the meantime.

 

[vina]

you are correct at least it seems that Axis is giving timebound offer to people to open a burgandy account and continue using 5:4 ratio.But whatever it is we will know by sept 1st unless axis drops some other bomb in the meantime.

well, they might. In which case, I'll adjust the spending accordingly.

 

[credit_debit]

can you point to where it says that the 5:4 is time bound, I couldn't find it in the document though many people have said it

it seemed to me that Axis was giving a time bound offer after Sep 1 to move to Burgundy+Magnus and for those who did move the rate will be 5:4; I didn't see it in the document that that rate will be time bound for those who move to Burgundy+Magnus

As highlighted, in above snippet, it does not mention the exact time till it will be continued....may be just like when they get enough Burgundy accounts based on Magnus conversion ratio, they will make 5:2. Not sure it's worth to maintain 10 lakh in an account for preferred conversion ratio.

 

[vina]

As highlighted, in above snippet, it does not mention the exact time till it will be continued....may be just like when they get enough Burgundy accounts based on Magnus conversion ratio, they will make 5:2. Not sure it's worth to maintain 10 lakh in an account for preferred conversion ratio.

I wrote elsewhere (https://www.technofino.in/community...arison-as-of-july-22nd-2023.15506/post-288175), but I think it is ambiguous. Let's see what happens in 40days.

 

[NikhilTravelLover]

One question I want to ask Axis fraternity.

Why they are making everything so complicated. They have no proper plans or a strong team management.

Devaluation plan they came up with, how complicated they made. First they leaked there own documents. Then everything on hold drama. Publishing then removing documents from websites. Then official anouncing even worse deval plan.

Is this how you manage a mutli billion dollor company? A company gains its reputation by the decisions they make in the good and bad situations. Take a example of 'Cafe coffee day'. They managed to survive at the lowest point by making toughest decisions.


Even a lay man like me can tell that it's the poorest management.

I have no hopes from Axis now.

 

[phagocyte536]

Great effort OP, but honestly anyone with infinia - should just keep it simple and go with Infinia for all use cases unless hitting that accelerated rewards cap consistently. The mental peace infinia provides is unmatched