Travel Credit Card Comparison: Axis ATLAS and Magnus Burgundy for ₹2.5 Lakh Monthly Spend

General
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For regular business travelers, utilizing credit card rewards is an intelligent means to cut down travel expenses and improve experiences. In this review, we compare the Axis ATLAS Credit Card and the Magnus Burgundy Credit Card on a monthly spend of ₹2.5 lakhs, keeping in mind the conversion of rewards into Accor Live Limitless (ALL) points.

This situation is perfect for those who would like to maximize travel rewards through reward conversions with a strategic plan.

Axis ATLAS Credit Card

Monthly Spend: ₹2.5 Lakhs

Reward Structure:

Earn Rate: 5% of spend in Edgemiles

Edgemiles Earned: ₹2.5 Lakhs × 5% = 11,000 Edgemiles

Bonus Milestone:

Extra 2,500 Edgemiles on achieving ₹3 Lakhs monthly spend

(Not applicable unless spend is upgraded to ₹3 Lakhs)

Total Edgemiles with ₹3L Spend:

13,500 Edgemiles

Conversion to Accor:

1 Edgemile = 2 Accor Points

13,500 Edgemiles = 27,000 Accor Points

Monetary Value:

1 Accor Point ≈ ₹1.80

27,000 Accor Points = ₹48,600

Effective Return:

₹48,600 / ₹2,50,000 = 19.4%

Magnus Burgundy Credit Card

Monthly Spend: ₹2.5 Lakhs

Reward Structure:

Earn Rate: 14 Edge Rewards per ₹200 spent

Base Edge Rewards = 17,500 Points

Travel Bonus:

5X Edge Rewards on eligible travel/partner spends

Total Edge Rewards with 5X = 68,000 Points

Conversion to Accor:

Conversion Rate: 5 Edge Rewards = 4 Accor Points

68,000 Edge Rewards = 54,400 Accor Points

Monetary Value:

1 Accor Point ≈ ₹1.80

54,400 Accor Points = ₹97,920

Annual Fee Consideration:

Annual Fee = ₹35,000

Applicable to non-Burgundy users

Net Value = ₹97,920 - ₹35,000 = ₹62,920

Effective Return:

₹62,920 / ₹2,50,000 = 25.2%

Conclusion: Which Card Offers Better Value?

Even considering the annual fee of ₹35,000 on the Magnus card, it gives a much superior effective return of 25.2% vs 19.4% using Axis ATLAS. For those on Axis Burgundy who have a fee waiver, the Magnus card value further increases.

Key Takeaways:

Magnus Burgundy is more suitable for high travel spends, especially when utilized for partner or travel-based transactions.

Axis ATLAS provides solid value with straightforward and predictable reward but is behind in terms of returns.

If your monthly spend is consistently around ₹2.5 Lakhs and your goal is to maximize returns through travel related rewards, especially within the Accor ecosystem, the Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is the more rewarding choice. However, for those who value a more straightforward rewards model and may not qualify for fee waivers, Axis ATLAS still provides compelling value.

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For a ₹2.5 lakh monthly spend aimed at earning Accor points, Axis ATLAS gives 11,000 Edgemiles, which convert to 22,000 Accor points. If you spend ₹3L, you get 27,000 points worth ₹48,600, giving a 19.4% return. Magnus Burgundy gives 68,000 Edge Rewards with 5X on travel, converting to 54,400 Accor points worth ₹97,920. After a ₹35,000 fee (if applicable), the net value is ₹62,920, or a 25.2% return. Verdict: Magnus is better if your spends are on travel and you get the fee waived. ATLAS is simpler but gives lower returns.

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Which travel credit card is better for someone with a ₹2.5 lakh monthly spend but no travel-related expenses?

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If you’re spending ₹2.5 lakh every month but none of it goes toward travel stuff, choosing between the Axis ATLAS and Magnus Burgundy travel credit cards really comes down to how their rewards work with your regular spending. Here’s the straight talk, like we’re just sitting here having a conversation, to help you figure this out:

  • Axis ATLAS Reward Structure: You get 2 Edge Miles for every ₹100 you spend on non travel stuff (shopping, dining, rent, whatever). For your ₹2.5 lakh monthly:
    • 2,500,000 ÷ 100 × 2 = 5,000 Edge Miles.
    • Conversion: 1 Edge Mile = 2 partner points (like ITC, Marriott). That gives you 10,000 partner points, worth about ₹10,000 (if you value each point at ₹1).
    • Return: ₹10,000 ÷ ₹2.5 lakh = 4% back.
    • Annual Fee: ₹5,000 + GST, but they’ll waive it if you spend ₹15 lakh yearly (which you definitely will with ₹2.5 lakh monthly).
    • Why It Works: Pretty straightforward rewards, decent returns on everyday spending, and you won’t have to worry about that annual fee with your spending pattern.

Axis ATLAS and Magnus Burgundy travel credit cards
Axis ATLAS and Magnus Burgundy travel credit cards1327×632 86.6 KB

  • Magnus Burgundy Reward Structure: This one’s a bit trickier. You earn 12 Edge Reward Points per ₹200 (6%) up to ₹1.5 lakh, then it jumps to 35 points per ₹200 (17.5%) for the next ₹1 lakh. For your ₹2.5 lakh (all regular spending):

  • First ₹1.5 lakh gets you: 9,000 points.

  • Next ₹1 lakh gets you: 17,500 points.

  • Total: 26,500 Edge Reward Points.

  • Here’s how the conversion works: 5 Edge Points = 4 partner points (like ITC, Marriott, that kind of stuff). So you end up with 21,200 partner points, which is basically worth around ₹21,200.

    • But here’s the kicker - after that ₹30,000 + GST annual fee (if you have to pay it): ~₹21,200 - ₹35,400 = you’re actually losing money unless they waive the fee.
    • Return: If the fee gets waived (because you have a Burgundy account), ₹21,200 ÷ ₹2.5 lakh = 8.5% back. But if you’re stuck paying that fee, forget about it.
    • Why It Could Work: Much higher rewards if you’re already a Burgundy customer, but that annual fee is brutal if you’re not.

  • Other Benefits for Non-Travelers:

    • Axis ATLAS: You get 8 domestic lounge visits yearly (worth maybe ₹2,000–4,000) and the reward system is pretty simple. Good for dining and shopping rewards, but don’t expect fancy concierge stuff.
    • Magnus Burgundy: Comes with 8 domestic and 8 international lounge visits (₹4,000–8,000 value), plus concierge services for things like restaurant bookings, and golf perks. Honestly, if you’re not traveling much, most of this won’t matter to you, but it’s nice if you’re into luxury experiences.

  • The Bottom Line: For someone spending ₹2.5 lakh monthly on non travel expenses, Axis ATLAS is probably your better choice. Here’s why you get a solid 4% return, the annual fee is way lower (₹5,000 vs. ₹30,000), and it’s much easier to get that fee waived (₹15 lakh yearly vs. ₹30 lakh). Magnus Burgundy does give you a higher 8.5% return, but only if you’re already a Burgundy customer and don’t have to pay that crazy annual fee. Without the fee waiver, that high cost makes it not worth it for regular spending. ATLAS is just simpler and more cost-effective for your situation.

  • Pro Tip: Keep track of your spending (maybe use something like Moneycontrol) to make sure it’s really all non travel. Check axisbank to see what you can actually redeem your rewards for (like shopping vouchers). If you’re not a Burgundy customer, give Axis a call at 1800 419 0065 to see if you might qualify for a fee waiver. You can also check what people are saying on X, but always verify with Axis’s official website.

This should help you pick the card that actually makes sense for your ₹2.5 lakh monthly spending when none of it’s going toward travel!