Axis Bank Primus Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Axis Bank Primus Credit Card

The Axis Bank Primus Credit Card is a super-premium offering by Axis Bank, positioned as one of India's top-tier cards due to its high joining and annual fees. With an earning rate of 1 EDGE Mile for every ₹100 spent on all transactions, including those typically excluded like rent, utilities, insurance, and fuel, it provides a straightforward reward system without exclusions. The card's redemption process is highly favorable, allowing conversion of EDGE Miles to partner miles at an impressive 1

ratio, making it ideal for frequent travelers. Beyond rewards, it offers extensive luxury benefits such as unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access via Priority Pass, complimentary meet-and-greet services, luxury airport transfers, and exclusive memberships to Taj Epicure and Bloomberg. Designed for high-net-worth individuals, the card aims to provide an unparalleled experience in travel, stay, and lifestyle.

Welcome Benefits

• New cardholders, upon payment of the full joining fee, are eligible for one of two welcome benefits.
• Cardholders must choose their preferred benefit within the first 30 days of card issuance by selecting it in the application form and informing their Primus Lifestyle Relationship Manager within 15 days of successful card booking.
• Choice of Welcome Benefit:
  • 25,000 Axis EDGE Miles (equivalent to 125,000 Partner Miles)
  • OR, ₹40,000 Gift Card from ITC Hotels

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹5,00,000 + GST (effectively ₹5,90,000)
• Renewal Fee: ₹3,00,000 + GST
• Spend-Based Waiver: Not applicable
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: Nil
• Interest Rates: 1% Per Month (12.68% Per Annum)
• Fuel Surcharge: 1% of transaction amount (applicable for transactions between ₹400 and ₹10,000)
• Cash Advance Charges: Nil
• Annual Membership Renewal Benefit: Upon successful realization of annual membership charges after 12 months, cardholders are eligible for one of the following benefits:
  • 15,000 Axis EDGE Miles (equivalent to 75,000 Partner Miles)
  • OR, ₹20,000 Gift Card from ITC Hotels

Rewards

• Rewards Rate
  • Earn 1 EDGE Mile for every ₹100 spent on all transactions.
  • This includes spending on categories such as fuel, rent, insurance, utility bills, shopping, and travel, with no exclusions.
• Movies & Dining
  • No specific movie or dining offers mentioned.
• Travel
  • Airport Meet & Greet services.
  • Domestic Airport Transfers.
  • Luxury Airport Transfers.
  • Complimentary companion airfare offer on participating airlines.
• Domestic Lounge Access
  • Unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • 12 free guest visits each year.
  • To avail, present your Primus Credit Card at a participating domestic airport lounge; a ₹2 authorization amount will be deducted for validation.
• International Lounge Access
  • Unlimited Priority Pass lounge access for primary and supplementary cardholders.
  • 12 complimentary guest visits per year.
• Golf

  • Primary Cardholder Benefits

    • Unlimited complimentary domestic golf lessons and rounds, along with one guest per year.
    • 4 complimentary international golf rounds, along with one guest.

  • Add-On Cardholder Benefits

    • 10 complimentary golf rounds or lessons at domestic golf clubs.
• Insurance
  • Lost Card Liability of ₹25,00,000.
• Milestone Benefits
  • Quarterly spending is rewarded, with no MCCs excluded from the calculation, meaning spends on utilities, rental, and fuel are considered.
  • Milestone benefits are provided within 45 days from the end of the quarter.
  • Spending between ₹20 - ₹30 Lakh: 15,000 EDGE Miles.
  • Spending between ₹30.01 - ₹50 Lakh: 25,000 EDGE Miles.
  • Spending greater than ₹50.01 Lakh: 35,000 EDGE Miles.
  • Example: Spending ₹20 lakh in a quarter earns 20,000 Base EDGE Miles and 15,000 bonus EDGE Miles, totaling 35,000 EDGE Miles, which converts to 1.75 lakh Partner Miles (an 8.75% return).
• Airfare Privilege Offer
  • Primary cardholders are eligible for complimentary companion airfare (excluding taxes and surcharges) when purchasing a full fare First or Business class ticket on participating airlines.
  • Customers buying a best-available class ticket on participating airlines are also eligible for four complimentary companion airfares (excluding taxes and surcharges).
  • Alternatively, primary cardholders can receive up to 15% savings on non-promotional international First and Business-class airfares with participating and partner airlines.
  • Criteria for complimentary companion ticket:
    • Paid ticket must be purchased at a non-restricted fare from an airline and charged to a valid Axis Bank Primus Card.
    • All travel must start and end in the country where the card is issued, and tickets must be issued in the same country.
    • The cardholder availing this offer must be one of the travelers.
    • The companion must travel with the cardholder on the same itinerary.
    • Both tickets must be issued at the same time.
    • Complimentary ticket will be issued at the lowest available fare in the same cabin class.
    • Only one companion ticket can be redeemed per itinerary.
    • One stop-over is allowed in the itinerary.
• Airport Benefits

  • Airport Meet and Greet

    • Primary and add-on cardholders receive a free one-way airport Meet & Assist Service or Fast Track Immigration Service worldwide.
    • This perk is available for those flying business class or higher on full-service airlines; budget airline travelers do not qualify.

  • Luxury Airport Transfer

    • Each primary and add-on cardholder is entitled to one complimentary one-way luxury airport transfer service per itinerary at participating airports across the world when purchasing a business class or higher ticket using their Axis Bank PRIMUS Card.
    • This service is available only for those traveling on full-service carriers in business class or above; budget carriers are not eligible.

  • Domestic Airport Transfer

    • Each primary cardholder is entitled to one complimentary one-way airport transfer service per itinerary at participating airports within India when purchasing an air ticket using their Primus Card.
    • This service is available for cardholders with domestic carriers traveling in any class, including economy.
• Stay Benefits

  • Luxury Hotel Collection

    • Primary and add-on cardholders receive special benefits and privileges across 900+ luxury hotels worldwide.
    • Privileges include: best available rate guarantee, automatic room upgrade (when available), complimentary in-room Wi-Fi (when available), complimentary continental breakfast, $25 USD food & beverage credit, VIP guest status, and 3 PM check-out upon request (when available).

  • Complimentary Night Stay

    • Primary cardholders are eligible for one complimentary night’s stay when booking a minimum of two consecutive nights at over 900 luxury participating properties worldwide.
    • A maximum of two complimentary nights per outgoing trip from the card’s country of issuance is allowed, regardless of the number of cities or hotels visited during the same trip.
    • Booking, changes, and cancellations must be handled by the Axis Bank Primus Lifestyle Relationship Manager.
• Complimentary Memberships

  • Taj Epicure

    • Membership is complimentary for the first year with the Primus Credit Card.
    • Benefits include:
      • 25% Discount on Food & Beverage.
      • 20% Discount on Food & Beverages at Banquets.
      • 20% Discount on Qmin.
      • 20% Discount on Spa Treatments.
      • 20% Discount on Salon Experiences.
    • Unique one-time vouchers:
      • 20% Discount on the best available rate for a room/suite Stay at Taj Palaces (on direct bookings, for stays lasting up to five consecutive nights, once a year).
      • 20% Discount on the best available rate for a room/suite Stay (on the best available rate on direct booking of a room/suite stay for unlimited consecutive nights).
      • 20% Discount on the best available rate for a room/suite Stay at Taj Safaris (on direct bookings, lasting up to five consecutive nights, once a year).

  • Bloomberg

    • Primary cardholders receive an annual subscription to Bloomberg, renewed on the card’s anniversary date, useful for staying updated on global events.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Redeem EDGE Miles for products from the catalog, vouchers, and partner miles.
• Partner Miles
  • Redemption Rate: 1 EDGE Mile = 5 Partner Miles.
  • Minimum EDGE Miles Required for Redemption: 500.
• Catalog
  • Redemption Rate: As per the catalog structure.
  • Minimum EDGE Miles Required for Redemption: 500.
• Redemption at Partner Outlets
  • Instant offline redemptions while shopping at select retail outlets.
  • Minimum EDGE Miles Required for Redemption: 500.
• Partners Eligible for Miles Transfer:
  • Accor
  • Air Asia
  • Air Canada
  • Air France - KLM
  • Air India
  • Air Vistara
  • Ethiopian Airlines
  • Etihad Airways
  • IHG® Hotels & Resorts
  • ITC
  • Japan Airlines
  • Marriott International
  • Qantas Airways
  • Qatar Airways
  • Singapore Airlines
  • SpiceJet
  • Thai Airways
  • Turkish Airlines
  • United Airlines
  • Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Card Review

The Axis Bank Primus Credit Card is designed for ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking the pinnacle of luxury and best-in-class experiences. Despite its substantial joining and annual fees, it offers unparalleled rewards and luxury benefits across travel, stay, and shopping.

• Pros:
  • Earns 1 EDGE Mile for every ₹100 spent on all transactions, including those typically excluded like insurance, rent, utility bills, and fuel, providing rewards on all expenses.
  • Offers a highly favorable conversion ratio of 1
    when transferring EDGE Miles to partner miles (1 EDGE Mile = 5 Partner Miles).
  • Provides unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders, including Priority Pass membership and guest visits.
  • Includes unique travel perks such as complimentary airport meet-and-greet services, luxury airport transfers, and a complimentary companion airfare offer on select airlines, distinguishing it from other premium cards.
  • Comes with complimentary memberships to Taj Epicure and Bloomberg, offering valuable discounts on dining, spa treatments, and access to global news.
  • Features extensive golfing privileges, including unlimited domestic rounds and lessons, and international rounds.
• Cons:
  • Has a very high joining fee of ₹5,90,000 (including GST) and a high annual fee, making it suitable only for high-net-worth individuals.
  • Lacks a spend-based annual fee waiver, meaning the annual charge must always be paid.
  • Surprisingly, for a card in this fee segment, it does not offer any Buy One Get One (BOGO) offers on movie tickets.

This card is a must-have for those who prioritize luxury and can maximize its extensive benefits through very high quarterly spends on eligible categories and premium travel.

Important Product Details

• This is a super-premium credit card offered by Axis Bank.
• The card has a joining charge of ₹5,00,000 + GST, making the effective cost ₹5,90,000.
• Cardholders earn 1 EDGE Mile for every ₹100 spent on all transactions, encompassing categories like rent, shopping, utility, insurance, fuel, and travel.
• The card provides complimentary memberships to Taj Epicure and Bloomberg.

Other Details

• Best Suited For: Travel, Fuel, Shopping.
• Reward Type: Reward Points.
• Axis Bank Primus Concierge Services: Exclusively available to Primus Cardholders, these services include:
  • Concierge and Lifestyle Assistance.
  • Reservation Assistance for restaurants, limousines, car rentals, yachts, private jets, and helicopters.
  • Travel Assistance for organizing hotel stays, cruises, and flights.
  • Travel Management, including tailored itineraries, packaged tours, and unique travel experiences.
  • Arrangement of Access to Exclusive Events.
  • Flower and Gift Deliveries.