Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs Axis Bank Select Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs Axis Bank Select Credit Card

In short: Axis Select has the lower annual fee (₹3,000 vs ₹12,500); Axis Magnus includes unlimited domestic & international lounge access, Axis Select 2 airport lounge visits a quarter; Axis Magnus has the lower forex markup (2% vs 3.5%).

Key factsAxis MagnusAxis Select
Annual fee₹12,500₹3,000
Joining fee₹12,500₹3,000
Annual fee waivedOn ₹25 lakh annual spendOn ₹8 lakh annual spend
Top reward rate5X Reward Points on Spends via Travel eDGE2X EDGE Reward Points per ₹200 on Retail
Base rewards12 eDGE Reward Points Per ₹20010 EDGE Reward Points Per ₹200
Lounge accessUnlimited domestic & international lounge access2 airport lounge visits a quarter
Forex markup2%3.5%

From issuer benefit data, checked 27 Oct 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and the Axis Bank Select Credit Card cater to different user segments with distinct fee structures, rewards, and lounge access benefits. Magnus is a premium Mastercard with higher fees but unlimited lounge access both domestically and internationally. Select is a more affordable Visa option with limited domestic lounges but a generous international lounge allowance and milestone rewards.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Best for travel → Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Best for low fee → Axis Bank Select Credit Card
Best for beginners → Axis Bank Select Credit Card
Feature Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card Axis Bank Select Credit Card
BankAxis BankAxis Bank
NetworkMasterCardVisa
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.12500Joining Fee of Rs.3000
Annual / renewal feeSecond Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.12500Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.3000
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.25 Lakhs For Annual Fee WaiverSpend Rs.8 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee
Top reward rateEarn 5X Reward Points on Spends via Travel eDGEEarn 2X EDGE Reward Points per Rs.200 on Retail
Base rate (other spends)Earn 12 eDGE Reward Points Per Rs.200Earn 10 EDGE Reward Points Per Rs.200
Lounge — domesticEnjoy Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Visits in India2 Complimentary Airport Lounge Access Per Quarter
Lounge — internationalEnjoy Unlimited Complimentary International Lounge Visits12 Complimentary International Airport Lounge Access
Fuel surcharge waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Welcome benefitWelcome Benefits - Voucher Worth Rs.12500Welcome Benefit - 10000 EDGE REWARD Points
Milestone benefit—Earn 5000 EDGE Reward Points on Spend of Rs.3 Lakhs
Foreign currency markup2% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

For rewards, the Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a higher top reward rate of 5X points on travel spends via Travel eDGE and accelerated earning of up to 35 eDGE points per Rs.200 on high spends, making it suitable for heavy spenders and frequent travelers. The base earning rate is 12 eDGE points per Rs.200. In contrast, the Axis Bank Select Credit Card provides a top reward rate of 2X points on retail spends with a base rate of 10 eDGE points per Rs.200 and includes a milestone benefit of 5000 EDGE points on spending Rs.3 lakhs annually. Overall, Magnus is better for premium travel rewards, while Select offers steady rewards with milestone incentives.

Which is better for travel?

Travel benefits favor the Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card with unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access, which is ideal for frequent travelers seeking premium airport experiences. The Select card offers 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter and 12 international lounge accesses annually, which is more limited but still valuable. Both cards provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, but Magnus has a lower forex markup fee of 2% compared to Select's 3.5%, making Magnus more cost-effective for foreign currency transactions.

Which has lower effective cost?

The Axis Bank Select Credit Card has a significantly lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.3000 compared to Rs.12500 for the Magnus card, making it more accessible for beginners or moderate spenders. Fee waivers are easier to achieve on Select with an Rs.8 lakh spend requirement versus Rs.25 lakh for Magnus. Both cards waive card replacement charges. Considering the high fee and spend threshold, Magnus suits premium users, while Select is better for those seeking value at a lower cost.

Forex Markup Fees

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card charges a 2% forex markup fee on foreign currency transactions, which is lower than the 3.5% charged by the Axis Bank Select Credit Card. This makes Magnus more cost-effective for international travelers who frequently make foreign currency purchases.

Milestone Rewards

The Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a milestone reward of 5000 EDGE Reward Points on spending Rs.3 lakhs annually, providing an additional incentive for consistent spending. The Magnus card does not list milestone benefits in our data, focusing instead on higher base and accelerated reward rates.

Who should pick Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card?

Consider Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card if you are a frequent traveler who values unlimited lounge access both in India and abroad, and you spend heavily on travel and other categories to maximize the accelerated 5X rewards. This card is also suitable if you can comfortably meet the high Rs.25 lakh annual spend requirement to waive the substantial Rs.12500 annual fee and want premium welcome vouchers.

Who should pick Axis Bank Select Credit Card?

Consider Axis Bank Select Credit Card if you prefer a more affordable credit card with a lower joining fee and annual fee, and you want a balanced rewards program with milestone benefits. It is a good choice for moderate spenders who want some international lounge access and fuel surcharge waivers without the high spend requirement of premium cards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for both cards and how can they be waived?

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs.12500, waived on spending Rs.25 lakhs annually. The Axis Bank Select Credit Card's annual fee is Rs.3000, waived on spending Rs.8 lakhs annually.

Which card offers better lounge access benefits?

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge visits, while the Axis Bank Select Credit Card provides 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter and 12 international lounge visits annually.

What are the forex markup charges on these cards?

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card charges a 2% forex markup fee, whereas the Axis Bank Select Credit Card charges 3.5% on foreign currency transactions.

Are there any milestone rewards available on these cards?

The Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a milestone reward of 5000 EDGE Reward Points on spending Rs.3 lakhs annually. Milestone benefits for the Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card are not listed in our data.

What is the top reward rate for each card?

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers 5X reward points on travel spends via Travel eDGE, while Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers 2X EDGE Reward Points per Rs.200 on retail spends.

Do both cards offer a fuel surcharge waiver?

Yes, both cards provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions.