Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs Hsbc Travelone Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
vs
The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and the HSBC Travelone Credit Card both cater to travel enthusiasts but differ significantly in fees, rewards structure, and lounge access. Axis Bank Magnus offers unlimited domestic and international lounge visits with a high joining fee and fee waiver on very high spends. HSBC Travelone has a lower fee, limited lounge access, and milestone rewards, with a higher forex markup. Choosing between them depends on your travel frequency, spending habits, and preference for rewards or cost efficiency.
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:
| Feature | Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card | Hsbc Travelone Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Axis Bank | HSBC |
| Network | MasterCard | MasterCard |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.12500 | Joining Fee - Rs.4999 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.12500 | Annual Fees - Rs.4999 |
| Annual fee waiver | Spend Rs.25 Lakhs For Annual Fee Waiver | Spend Rs.8 Lakhs For Renewal Fee Waiver |
| Reward rate (headline) | Earn 5X Reward Points on Spends via Travel eDGE | Earn 2X Reward Points on Car Rentals |
| Lounge — domestic | Enjoy Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Visits in India | 6 Complimentary Domestic Airport Lounge Access Per Year |
| Lounge — international | Enjoy Unlimited Complimentary International Lounge Visits | 4 Complimentary International Lounge Access Per Year |
| Welcome benefit | Welcome Benefits - Voucher Worth Rs.12500 | Welcome Benefits - PostCard Voucher Worth Rs.3000 |
| Milestone benefit | — | Earn 10000 Reward Points on Spend of Rs.1200000 |
| Foreign currency markup | 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card provides a more rewarding points system, especially for travel-related spends, with 5X reward points on Travel eDGE and additional points on high monthly spends. It also allows redemption for partner miles, enhancing its value for frequent travelers. HSBC Travelone offers decent rewards with 2X points on car rentals and 4 points per Rs.100 on flights, travel aggregators, and foreign currency spends, plus a milestone bonus of 10,000 points on annual high spend. Overall, Magnus is better for maximizing rewards, particularly for heavy travel spenders.
Which is better for travel?
Axis Bank Magnus stands out with unlimited complimentary lounge access both domestically and internationally, which is a significant advantage for frequent flyers. HSBC Travelone limits lounge access to 6 domestic and 4 international visits annually, which may suffice for occasional travelers. Additionally, HSBC Travelone offers complimentary golf rounds and lessons, which could appeal to niche users. However, for pure travel convenience and lounge benefits, Magnus is superior.
Which has lower effective cost?
HSBC Travelone is more accessible with a joining and annual fee of Rs.4999 each, and a fee waiver threshold of Rs.8 lakhs, making it more suitable for moderate spenders. In contrast, Axis Bank Magnus charges Rs.12,500 for joining and renewal, with a very high waiver threshold of Rs.25 lakhs, which may not be feasible for many users. The forex markup is also lower on Magnus (2%) compared to HSBC Travelone's 3.5%, making Magnus more cost-effective for foreign transactions despite its higher fees.
Forex Markup Comparison
Axis Bank Magnus charges a 2% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, which is notably lower than HSBC Travelone's 3.5%. This makes Magnus more economical for users who frequently spend abroad or shop in foreign currencies.
Fee Waiver Thresholds
The fee waiver for Axis Bank Magnus requires an annual spend of Rs.25 lakhs, which is substantially higher than HSBC Travelone's Rs.8 lakhs. This difference is important for users considering the effective cost of the card based on their spending capacity.
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-related categories to maximize the 5X reward points. It is suitable if you can meet the high fee waiver criteria and want premium travel benefits along with flexible reward redemption options.
Who should pick Hsbc Travelone Credit Card?
Consider HSBC Travelone Credit Card if you prefer a lower fee credit card with reasonable travel rewards and milestone bonuses, and if you value golf-related perks alongside travel benefits. It is better suited for moderate spenders who want some lounge access and cashback welcome benefits without the high cost of premium cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
Axis Bank Magnus has a joining fee of Rs.12,500, while HSBC Travelone charges Rs.4,999.
Axis Bank Magnus offers unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge visits, whereas HSBC Travelone provides 6 domestic and 4 international lounge visits per year.
Yes, Axis Bank Magnus waives the annual fee if you spend Rs.25 lakhs annually, and HSBC Travelone waives it on Rs.8 lakhs annual spend.
Axis Bank Magnus has a lower forex markup of 2%, compared to HSBC Travelone's 3.5%.
Axis Bank Magnus offers a welcome voucher worth Rs.12,500, while HSBC Travelone provides a postcard voucher worth Rs.3,000 along with Rs.1,000 cashback as welcome rewards.
HSBC Travelone offers 10,000 reward points on spending Rs.12 lakhs annually, whereas Axis Bank Magnus does not have milestone rewards.