Priority Pass
Axis Bank
Reserve
The Axis Reserve is an ultra-premium powerhouse offering unparalleled lifestyle perks, including unlimited lounge access for guests and eight VIP airport concierge services. With a market-leading 1.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 29 May 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
The Axis Reserve is an ultra-premium powerhouse offering unparalleled lifestyle perks, including unlimited lounge access for guests and eight VIP airport concierge services. With a market-leading 1.5% forex markup and elite hotel memberships like Accor Plus, it’s a top-tier travel companion. However, its steep ₹50,000 fee and restrictive miles-transfer caps demand significant spending to truly maximize value.While the Reserve occupies the top tier of the Axis portfolio, its value proposition is a strategic mix of luxury and limitation. The primary draw is its "unlimited" guest lounge access—a rare feature in the Indian market—and 50 annual golf rounds. For high-frequency international travelers, the reduced forex fee is a major win. However, unbiased reviewers must highlight the 2026 "Group A and B" redemption capping, which limits transfers to premium partners like Singapore Airlines and Marriott to just 100,000 points annually. With a high ₹35 lakh spend requirement for fee waivers, it’s a card for the lifestyle-focused elite rather than point-churners.
Pros
- Elite Lounge & Guest Access: Provides truly unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on holders. More importantly, it offers 12 complimentary guest visits per year, which is significantly more generous than the HDFC Infinia or Diners Black.
- Premium Hotel Memberships: The card comes bundled with Accor Plus (including a free night stay), Club ITC Culinaire, and Club Marriott Asia Pacific. For frequent stayers, these memberships alone can offset a large portion of the high annual fee.
- High Reward Rate on Spends: You earn 15 Edge Reward Points for every ₹200 spent (7.5% reward rate) and 2X on international spends (15%). When transferred to travel partners at the standard 5:4 ratio, this translates to a 6%–12% value-back in miles.
- Low Foreign Currency Markup: At 1.5% + GST, it has one of the lowest forex fees in the premium segment. Combined with the 2X reward rate on international transactions, you actually end up 'net-positive' when spending abroad.
- Luxury Lifestyle & Golf: Offers 50 complimentary golf rounds per year and a high-value movie benefit (BOGO up to ₹500 on movies and ₹1,000 on events, 5 times a month), making it a top-tier choice for high-end entertainment.
Cons
- Ultra-Premium Cost & Waiver: The ₹50,000 + GST annual fee is the highest in the retail market. The waiver requirement is also steep at ₹35 Lakhs annually, and unlike older versions, renewal points are no longer guaranteed for all users.
- April 2026 Partner 'Massacre': As of April 2, 2026, Axis has removed powerhouse partners like Accor, Marriott Bonvoy, and Qatar Airways. This significantly reduces the 'aspiration value' for points collectors who previously used this card for luxury hotel stays.
- Complex Redemption Capping: Total transfers are capped at 5 Lakh points per year, further restricted by the 'Group A and Group B' partner split (only 1 Lakh points allowed for Group A). This adds a layer of 'mileage bookkeeping' that many users find frustrating.
- Extensive Spend Exclusions: No reward points are earned on 'essential' categories like Utilities, Rent, Insurance, Government services, and Fuel. These categories also do not count toward the ₹35 Lakh annual fee waiver threshold.
- Discontinued Legacy Perks: Premium features that once justified the high fee, such as the 'Luxury Airport Transfers' (8 free pick-up/drops) and the Meet & Greet services, have been entirely discontinued, making the card feel less 'VIP' than it used to be.
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 Waiver0 pts | ₹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
Annual fee
₹50,000
1.2% – 4.8% yield