Axis Bank Atlas vs Horizon Credit Card: Complete Comparison 2025
26 August, 2025
Introduction
Choosing between premium travel credit cards can be challenging, especially when comparing two excellent options from the same bank. The Axis Bank Atlas and Horizon Credit Cards are both designed for travel enthusiasts, but they cater to different spending patterns and reward preferences.
The Atlas Credit Card positions itself as a premium travel category card with a tiered membership system, offering exclusive EDGE Miles and enhanced benefits based on annual spending. Meanwhile, the Horizon Credit Card serves as a more accessible entry point into Axis Bank's travel rewards ecosystem, providing solid value without the complexity of tier-based benefits.
Both cards earn EDGE Miles that can be transferred to partner airlines and hotels, making them attractive options for frequent travelers. However, their fee structures, reward rates, and additional benefits differ significantly, making it crucial to understand which card aligns better with your travel and spending habits.
Joining & Annual Fees Comparison
| Feature | Atlas Credit Card | Horizon Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹5,000 + GST | ₹3,000 + GST |
| Fee Waiver | No spend-based waiver | No spend-based waiver |
The Atlas Credit Card commands a higher fee structure at ₹5,000 + GST for both joining and renewal, while the Horizon Credit Card is more affordable at ₹3,000 + GST. Neither card offers spend-based fee waivers, making the annual fees a fixed cost to consider.
However, both cards provide welcome benefits that can help offset the initial joining fee, with the Atlas offering 2,500 EDGE Miles and the Horizon providing 5,000 EDGE Miles on meeting the welcome benefit criteria.
Rewards & Benefits Analysis
Atlas Credit Card Rewards Structure
The Atlas Credit Card offers a sophisticated reward system with accelerated earning rates:
- 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on Axis Bank Travel Edge, hotels, and flight bookings (up to ₹2,00,000 monthly spend)
- 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on all other eligible transactions
- Welcome Benefit: 2,500 EDGE Miles on completing 1 transaction within 30 days
Excluded Categories: Gold/Jewellery, Rent, Wallet, Government Institutions, Insurance, Fuel, and Utilities don't earn EDGE Miles.
Horizon Credit Card Rewards Structure
The Horizon Credit Card provides a simpler reward structure:
- 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on Axis Bank Travel Edge and airline spends
- 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on all other eligible transactions
- Welcome Benefit: 5,000 EDGE Miles on spending ₹1,000 within 30 days
Excluded Categories: Transportation & Tolls, Utilities, Insurance, Educational Institutions, Government Institutions, Wallet, Rent, and Fuel.
Transfer Partners & Ratios
*Axis Bank Group A & Group B Transfer Partners & Capping
Axis Atlas Credit Card Transfer Partners
The Atlas Credit Card offers extensive transfer options with two groups:
Group A Partners (Maximum 30,000 EDGE Miles annually):
- Accor Hotels, Air Canada, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Japan Airlines
- Marriott International, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Thai Airways, United Airlines, Wyndham Hotels
Group B Partners (Maximum 1,20,000 EDGE Miles annually):
- Air France-KLM (Flying Blue), Air India (Maharaja Club), Air Asia
- ITC, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Qantas Airways, SpiceJet
Transfer Ratio: 1 EDGE Mile = 2 Partner Points (except Marriott: 2 EDGE Miles = 1 Marriott Bonvoy Point) Annual Limit: 1,50,000 EDGE Miles per customer ID
Axis Horizon Credit Card Transfer Partners
The Horizon Credit Card provides similar partners with different annual limits:
Group A Partners (Maximum 100,000 annually):
- Accor Hotels, Air Canada, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad, Japan Airlines
- Marriott International, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines
- Thai Airways, United Airlines, Wyndham Hotels
Group B Partners (Maximum 400,000 annually):
- Air France-KLM, Air India, Air Asia, ITC, IHG Hotels & Resorts
- Qantas Airways, SpiceJet
Transfer Ratio: 1 EDGE Mile = 1 Partner Point Annual Limit: 500,000 EDGE Miles per customer
The Atlas Card offers better transfer ratios (1:2 vs Horizon's 1:1) but Horizon offers higher annual transfer limits.
Airport Lounge Access Comparison
Axis Atlas Credit Card Lounge Access
The Atlas Card provides tiered lounge access based on annual spending:
| Membership Tier | Annual Spend Requirement | Dom Visits | Int Visits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | Less than ₹7.5 Lakh | 8 | 4 |
| Gold | ₹7.5 Lakh - ₹15 Lakh | 12 | 6 |
| Platinum | More than ₹15 Lakh | 18 | 12 |
Axis Horizon Credit Card Lounge Access
The Horizon Card offers fixed lounge access regardless of spending:
| Card Variant | Domestic Visits | International Visits |
|---|---|---|
| Mastercard World | 24 per year (6 per quarter) | 8 per year (2 per quarter) |
| Visa Signature | 32 per year (8 per quarter) | 8 per year (2 per quarter) |
Milestone Benefits
Axis Atlas Credit Card Milestones
The Atlas Card offers milestone bonuses based on annual spending:
| Spend Milestone | Bonus EDGE Miles |
|---|---|
| ₹3 Lakh | 2,500 |
| ₹7.5 Lakh | Additional 2,500 |
| ₹15 Lakh | Additional 5,000 |
Annual Renewal Benefits:
- Silver Tier: No bonus miles
- Gold Tier: 2,500 miles
- Platinum Tier: 5,000 miles
Axis Horizon Credit Card Milestones
The Horizon Credit Card provides:
- Annual Renewal Benefit: 1,500 EDGE Miles (credited within 30 days of anniversary)
- No spending-based milestone bonuses
The Atlas Card clearly rewards high spenders with substantial milestone bonuses.
Additional Benefits
Dining Benefits
- Both credit cards offer 15% discount up to ₹500 at partner restaurants via EazyDiner
Fuel Benefits (Horizon Card)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400-₹5,000
- Maximum waiver of ₹400 per statement month
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) About Axis Bank Atlas vs Horizon Cards
1. Which card is better for beginners - Atlas or Horizon?
The Horizon Credit Card is better for beginners because it has lower fees (₹3,000 vs ₹5,000), better welcome benefits (5,000 vs 2,500 EDGE Miles), and consistent lounge access without needing to hit spending targets. The 1:1 transfer ratio is also easier to understand and more valuable.
2. Do these cards have annual fee waivers based on spending?
No, neither the Atlas nor Horizon cards offer annual fee waivers based on spending. You'll need to pay the annual fee every year regardless of how much you spend. This is different from many other credit cards that waive fees if you spend a certain amount annually.
3. How do I maximize EDGE Miles earning on these cards?
To maximize Axis Bank credit card rewards, focus on: (1) Using the cards for travel bookings to earn 5X points, (2) Taking advantage of welcome bonuses, (3) For Atlas Card holders, hitting milestone spending targets, (4) Transferring miles to partners with the best value for your travel plans.
4. Which card offers better airport lounge access for frequent flyers?
It depends on your spending. If you spend less than ₹7.5 lakh annually, the Horizon Card lounge access is much better(24-32 domestic visits vs 8 with Atlas Silver). If you spend ₹15+ lakh annually, Atlas Platinum tier offers more international visits (12 vs 8).
5. What's the difference in transfer partners between the two cards?
Both cards offer similar airline and hotel transfer partners, but with different terms: Atlas offers 1:2 transfer ratios with lower annual limits (150,000 EDGE Miles), while Horizon offers 1:1 ratios with higher limits (500,000 EDGE Miles annually).
6. How long do EDGE Miles remain valid?
EDGE Miles expire after 3 years from the date they are earned. This is a rolling expiry, meaning miles earned in January 2025 will expire in January 2028. It's important to plan your redemptions accordingly and not let valuable miles go to waste.
7. Are there foreign transaction fees on these cards?
Both cards charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% on international transactions, plus 18% GST on the forex markup fee. This means if you spend ₹1000 abroad, you'll pay an additional ~₹41 in forex charges (depending on exchange rates). While this is standard for most Indian credit cards, it's something to factor into your international spending calculations.
9. Can I upgrade from Horizon to Atlas or vice versa?
Credit card upgrades and downgrades are typically possible but depend on your income, spending patterns, and relationship with the bank. Contact Axis Bank directly to understand their current upgrade/downgrade policies and any associated fees.
10. How do I redeem EDGE Miles for maximum value?
For maximum EDGE Miles redemption value: (1) Transfer to airline partners during bonus transfer promotions, (2) Use Travel Edge portal for flight/hotel bookings, (3) Consider Accor transfers for a potentially higher value, (4) Avoid cash redemptions which typically offer poor value.
Disclosures
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission when you apply for credit cards through our links, at no additional cost to you.
Benefits Disclaimer: Credit card benefits and terms are subject to change. Please visit the official Axis Bank website for the most current information before applying. The information provided is based on available documentation and may not reflect the latest updates to card terms and conditions.