Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card Review

By | January 18, 2025
Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card

The Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card (or Magnus for Burgundy) was launched following a significant devaluation of the regular Magnus Credit Card. The Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is exclusively issued to the bank’s true Burgundy customers and is ideally suited for those with high spending pattern.

The Axis Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is not only the best credit card in India for HNI’s but also the best in the world because of it’s lucrative reward structure on ongoing spends. Let’s see how it stands in 2025,

Overview

TypeHNI Credit Card
Reward Rate4.8% to 25%
Annual Fee30,000+GST
Best forHigh Value Spends
USPAirline/hotel transfer partners

Due to the high joining fee, the Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is specifically designed for high-value spenders who are willing to invest some time to explore its airline and hotel transfer partners to maximize the point value.

Fees

Joining Fee30,000 INR+GST
Welcome Benefit5,000 INR Yatra Voucher
Renewal Fee30,000 INR+GST
Renewal BenefitNil
Renewal Fee waiverOn spending >30 lakhs
  • Spend requirement for annual/renewal fee waiver will exclude spends done on: Insurance, Gold & Fuel

It’s funny when you get only 5K INR voucher while the joining fee is ~35K INR (with GST).

But if you know the value of airmiles or hotel loyalty points, you would close your eyes and go for it.

Design

axis bank magnus credit card design

The Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card comes in a light-weight metal form factor and primarily operates on the Mastercard platform.

Interestingly, the bank has chosen not to include the word “Burgundy” anywhere on the card’s design.

As a result, it’s impossible to differentiate between the regular Magnus and the Magnus Burgundy solely based on appearance.

Rewards

SPEND TYPEREWARDSREWARD RATE
(EDGE REWARDS PORTAL)
REWARD RATE
(POINTS TRANSFER at 5:4)
Regular Spend12 RP / 200 INR1.2%4.8%
Axis Travel Edge Portal (5X)60 RP / 200 INR 6%24%

The earn rate of Edge Rewards on regular Magnus & Magnus for Burgundy are same, however, because of the difference in points transfer ratio (5:2 for Magnus / 5:4 for Magnus Burgundy), it makes a world of difference, like 100% more value to be precise.

Exclusions for Rewards:

  • Rent (Capped at 50K INR a month)
  • Wallet, Utilities & Gov. Spends
  • Insurance, Gold/Jewellery
  • Fuel

Accelerated Rewards

  • On Spends of >1.5L a month: Get 35 points / 200 INR (~14%)

Magnus Burgundy is an amazing credit card for high spenders as its reward rate beats any card in any bank in the “world”, especially when “monthly” spends go up.

You get 14% return for spends over 1.5L INR in a month. But realistically, here’s how the numbers look like on average, as first 1.5L spend gives only 4.8% return.

Axis Magnus accelerated rewards

As you can see, ~3L monthly spend on an average is the sweet spot to get close to 10% reward rate.

To give a perspective of how lucrative it is, HDFC Infinia used to offer the highest reward rate for very many years, which is 3.3% on regular spends.

On top of that, if you move the points to Accor, then it’s 1.8X the value, which is a sweet 18% return on day-to-spends.

5X on Travel Edge

  • Earn 60 points / 200 INR (~24% as miles) upto 2L spends a month
  • Earn 35 points / 200 INR (~14% as miles) beyond 2L spends a month

While 5X Rewards on Edge Rewards is good in a way, do note that dealing with Travel Edge portal is not an easy affair.

While 5X on travel edge is good, especially for flights, HDFC Infinia gives 33% return on smartbuy hotel bookings.

Redemption

  • Redeem Edge Rewards to points/miles at 5:4 ratio
  • Max up-to 10L points a calendar Year: 2L to Group A & 8L to Group B
GROUP AGROUP B
Accor (Hotels)ITC (Hotels)
Marriott (Hotels)IHG (Hotels)
Wyndham (Hotels)Qantas Airways
Air CanadaAir India
Qatar AirwaysAir France
United AirlinesSpice Jet
Singapore AirlinesAir Asia
Turkish Airlines
Thai Airways
Japan Airlines
Ethiopian Airlines
Etihad Airways

If you’re wondering where to redeem, Accor Hotels (1.8 INR per Accor ALL Point) in Group A & ITC (1 INR per ITC Green point) in Group B are the safe & popular partners.

If you’re looking for airline partners, Air Canada, Singapore Airlines and Qatar are the next best.

But be aware that airline partners are risky as they tend to devalue miles overnight and you might end up sitting on ~50% lower value, just like how I’m sitting on few lakh miles with United Airlines.

Airport Lounge Access

ACCESS TYPEVIALIMITGUEST ACCESS
Domestic Lounge AccessVisa / MastercardUnlimited4
International Lounge Access (Primary)Priority PassUnlimited4

Guest access is a good one to have and it is limited to 4 per “calendar year” which is decent but 8 as before would have been lot better.

Note: With effect from 1st May 2024, the airport lounge benefits (domestic only) are available after spending 50K INR in the past 3 calendar months. This is cruel for a card of this grade.

Airport Meet & Greet

airport meet and greet benefit on Magnus
airport meet and greet services
  • Complimentary Access: 4 / Calendar year

The domestic airport meet & greet service – which Axis Bank calls as “airport concierge” service is the USP of this product. It gives VIP Assistance Services for a smooth and hassle-free airport transfers in India.

Add-On Cards

Axis Magnus Add-on cards

Getting add-on cards with any Axis Bank credit card is tricky but is getting better. 

I wouldn’t suggest taking add-on cards if you’re looking for peace of mind. Because even if you get it, you might end up in OTP handling issues. Hope Axis Bank fixes this Add-on cards issue forever.

Forex Markup Fee

  • Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 2%+GST = 2.4%
  • Net Return: Rewards – Markup Fee = 4.8% – 2.4% = ~2.4%

2.4% gain on forex spends is a very good return on spend in the industry. On top of it, if your monthly spends are higher, then it’s undoubtedly the best credit card for forex spends.

Features & Benefits

  • No Cash Withdrawal fee (but finance charges applies)
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver (400 INR to 4000 INR)
  • Buy 1 Get 1 Bookmyshow offer has been discontinued from April 2024

My Experience

Axis Magnus for Burgundy Credit Card experience

I’ve been holding the regular Axis Magnus Credit Card ever since it was launched and then moved to the Axis Magnus Burgundy when they initially rolled out the LTF offer.

It’s highly lucrative for sure and have been using it for both domestic & international spends.

The only downside of the card is the long list of exclusions, including utilities, which is quite unacceptable for card of this grade.

Should you get it?

If I look at the recent consultations, I’ve always suggested the Axis Magnus Burgundy Credit Card as a primary card, especially when the annual spends are ~40 Lakhs or more.

If the spends are slightly on lower side and still wish to get better return on spend, multiple Axis Atlas & Amex Platinum Travel Credit Cards in the family would also help.

That said, Atlas Credit Card is quite a lucrative card even now and can as well get devalued further anyday but Magnus for Burgundy might stand bit longer as it’s tied to NRV which gives some profit to the bank.

And not to mention that Axis Bank doesn’t like you to do business spends on their cards.

So, if you’re holding Magnus Burgundy or if you intend to apply for one, make sure to keep an eye on the latest updates which the bank communicates from time to time, so that you’re not up for an unpleasant surprise.

How to Apply?

  • Eligibility: 30L NRV to start with; then 30L NRV or 10L AMB

If you already meet the eligibility criteria and hold an existing Axis Bank Credit Card, call Axis Bank support and you should be able to apply over the call.

If you’re new to bank, then you’ll need to follow the 30L NRV route for quick issuance, via branch.

Bottom line

  • Cardexpert Rating: 4.8/5

Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card is a wonderfully rewarding credit card for high spenders. It’s a must have card for those who’re spending >1.5L a month.

While it’s undoubtedly a great card with no limits on earning capability, capping the Group A redemptions to only 2L a year feels too low, except for Accor Hotels that gives exceptional value.

I wish the bank increases that number or perhaps moves some partners to Group B in future.

If that’s not going to happen, we’ll have to rely on additional cards like Axis Atlas for redemptions beyond 2L Points in a calendar year.

Author: Siddharth

Helping Indians choose the right credit cards, find the best offers, and enjoy luxury vacations for less using credit card rewards.

30 thoughts on “Axis Bank Magnus Burgundy Credit Card Review

  1. Witz

    Thanks for the much awaited review of Magnus burgundy. Very well summarised and crispy review as always. Can you let me know regarding accelerated points using gyftr and grabdeals? I was planning to get this card for buying a car. What do you suggest. Thanks

    Reply
  2. Anirudh

    How to get the guest access for lounge using this card?
    As they are not allowing to get add on cards for Magnus Burgundy.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Just use the card or priority pass directly with guest as +1 or as required.

      Reply
  3. Rahul

    NRV to maintain for card: 30 L , one get max 8% over that which = 2.4 L
    if was kept in simple mutual fund minimum 12% = 3.6 L

    Difference : 1.2 L

    Per annum cost of card : 35,000

    total damage: 1.2 + o.35 L = 1.5 L

    money needed to be spent to just break even at 10% return from card is 15 Lakh minimum.

    If 15 lakh is spent on card with even 3% return than also person get about 50,000 worth of points from other cards.

    so to make up for that 50,000 another 5 L needs to be spent on magnus burgundy.

    Is it still worth all the effort and what all terms and conditions and this and that?

    So till 20 L spends it is just an eyewash card, makes lots of money for bank, taking money from one hand of customer and than giving back from other hand with lots of restrictions, terms and conditions.

    People get something from card only beyond 20 Lakhs of spend per year and all this considering that 10% return is there.

    If mutual return is even higher that breakeven after shifts to higher value.

    If someone gets 4.8% regular return, most of the months, than breakeven is shifted even further to may be 30-40 lakhs.

    it is more of marketing gimmick card than being a real banger.

    Bank makes money from from FDs, from card fees, spends and commissions from airlines and hotels, and tell you this can not be done, that can not be done. Spend this to get that.

    Rating should be 2/5 considering all the above.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      30L is only to start with. 10L AMB also works in which case the math is different.
      Anyway Axis is yet to get strict on the “true” burgundy eligibility, hopefully they do someday and improve the benefits.

      That aside, I think it’s meant for those who are comfortable to move around 30L/10L easily, not for all and so the rating varies with the profile.

      Reply
      1. Rahul

        Even at 10L AMB , one gets only 40,000 for 1 year at 4%interest although at 12% for MF , it would be 1.2 L. Difference 80,000. Plus 35000 fees. Total damage 1.15L.

        Amount to recoup this at even 10% return rate is 12L. Till 12 L return is zero . At 4.8% , breakeven is 25L.

        And your 10L are struck, can not use them as well.

        Infinia at 25 L gives around 1L return, no questions asked. Not many restrictions.

        This card has so convoluted and so many terms and conditions.

        And even if you some how earn more than 2 L points even after hooping through all the hoops you can’t use them effectively and efficiently.

        At most price points and at most spend levels it is a much poor card compared to even DCB Metal.

        They basically take your money, and then tell you how to use it at their terms.

        If someone has to anyways do FD only for such large amounts than it’s an exceptional card , otherwise it is truly marvelously packaged deception.

        Reply
        1. Kunal

          If you plans for international trips like costing more than 2 Lakhs then, math goes like below
          200k/200 = 100 x 60 = 60000 * 0.8 = 86.4K (Accor)
          And you spend in trip month assume 200k then math goes like 25.6K (Accor)

          Total = 112K and rest month regular spends on 5x AEP

          Keep (financial planning)ur emergency fund in Axis

          Reply
          1. rahul

            So your entire trip goes to recover the costs , what you have already paid to axis for M4B. and you have to think and fulfill multiple conditions as well.

            If same was spent on Infinia you would be up by more than 30,000.
            4L on travel = 15, 000 + 15000 = 30,000
            plus if you can time correctly last days of one month and first day of next month = 15000 + 15000+ 10000= 40000

            without much fuss and muss.

            M4B remains not a good choice for someone with once a year trip or even someone who spends 20-30 lakhs per annum.

            remember there are lots of terms and conditions for earning as well burning for M4B.

        2. Nikhil

          So you have assumed that everyone who is using M4B is maintaining 10 AQB. Many people have got LTF M4B based on their salary> 3 LPA. I don’t maintain any balance with Axis, so your entire FD calculation goes off.

          Reply
    2. BHARGAV

      I think for many this type of rewards will give Luxurious stay in 5 star properties across globe which one does not enjoy without reward points even if capable off .

      So Author has given prefect verdict for High Spenders and travel lovers by giving 4.8

      Reply
    3. man-o-war

      NRV includes Mutual Fund holdings so the above comparison is not valid

      Reply
      1. Rahul

        for demat holdings NVR is 1 crore, basically again you are paying 1% more = Rs 1 Lakh , as fund management fees to axis over the direct mutual funds.

        one can calculated anyways, axis is going to charge you almost same money all the ways, that’s how they are funding the entire program.

        Reply
  4. Anuj Chopra

    What does this mean – Axis is yet to get strict on the “true” burgundy eligibility

    Are there chances that they increase the burgundy threshold requirements?

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Meaning, they’re not downgrading/charging the LTF cards even when accounts are not maintaining the burgundy criteria at Cust ID level.

      Reply
  5. Amitabh Maheshwari

    This card may be good only if spends are very high, higher than ₹ 1.50 lakhs a month, even then for the first ₹ 1.50 lakhs the return will be on the lower side. For moderate spenders, if one can make good use of Smartbuy, infinia would be better. Adding spend requirements for lounge won’t make difference as this card is meant for high spenders anyway. But it doesn’t look nice after a fee of ₹ 30k.

    Reply
  6. Akshay

    hi sid,
    great review. I had a question with regards to the accelerated reward points on spends above 150000 is it based on calendar month or statement to statement spends?

    Reply
  7. Nanda Kishore Burla

    Hey sid, are you aware of how to get the add-on for MB card?

    I have Magnus Burgundy and HDFC Infinia both.
    For infinia getting add-on was so smooth.
    But it’s been impossible for Magnus.

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      I heard it’s put on pause again. But usually the branch can take some additional approval and get it done from time to time.

      Reply
  8. Kumar Saurav

    What happens to the already accumulated points on Magnus to Burgandy conversion. I have approx 2Lac ER points

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      Will be available at 5:4 post card conversion, as of now. But this can change any moment!

      Reply
  9. Abilash

    I have this card as LTF, which I got right after the major devaluation.

    I honestly think with LTF, it is the best credit card in India, beating even infinia

    Reply
  10. ItsMe

    I have the card as LTF basis salary and it’s the best thing there is around.

    One optimises all spends, buying of apay vouchers helps to pay off utilities and insurance, bunching spends once in 2-3 months helps hit AEP atleast 4 times a year. Sometimes office reimbursable spends help bump up the ERs

    Only downside is getting holiday from work to enjoy the rewards and the capping of Group A

    Sid – there is a highly rewarding DC if you understand what I mean. Do you have it ?

    Reply
    1. Siddharth Post author

      No, I don’t have that, neither the Olympus, as I was not into Citi.

      Reply
      1. ItsMe

        Yup Olympus would have been nice given a seperate bigger transfer limit of the accumulated ER.

        Would be good to meet up and a few like minded folks.

        Cheers Sid.

        Reply
    2. Neo

      how do you buy apay vouchers on MB ? gyftr doesnt give any accelerated points on MB AFAIK

      Reply
  11. Vikram

    Hi, thank you for a lovely review, I would like to add two points :-

    – Annual Spends Capping :- There is a capping on the edge reward points you can consume in a year i.e. you can consume a maximum of 10 Lakh edge reward points in a year ( before the 5:4 conversion ) which means you have to cap your spending at Rs 69 Lakhs a year. = 5.75 Lakhs a month, After this you will only keep accumulating points which you cannot use & Axis may devalue these down the line.

    – Amazon Pay vouchers :- The conversion of edge rewards to Amazon pay vouchers is approx 2.8 % as compared to 1.5 % on infinia- this is almost double, which is great.

    Summary : The Magnus burgundy is fantastic at more than 10 % ROI ( after 5:4 conversion) compared to my Infinia at only 3.3 %. If your spends are more than 65 Lakhs a year then exhaust MB limit first and after that switch over to Inifinia.

    Reply
    1. loki

      Good summary, but should not one use infinia and exhaust it first, IFF booking flights and hotels on smartby?

      Reply
  12. ajay

    How come infinia is touted as inferior to this card? I have two infinias in family and have been able to use it to extract 16% on flights and 30% on hotels by timing the spend around month end and month start if required. I have magnus as well. but never felt the need to use it as the reward rate is still lower vs infinia. with one infinia one can easily get 1.1lakh flight spend covered per month.

    Could someone clarify if magnus gives rewards as said in article for 1. jewellery 2. education when swiping on school machine 3. insurance.

    If yes, then magnus beats infinia on above 3. otherwise infinia is still superior. other time magnus could be better when buying a car or so. which I used infina n diner black. but didn’t realise could have used magnus. please clarify on above 3. thanks.

    Reply

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