HSBC TravelOne vs Axis Atlas Credit Card Comparison 2025: Which Travel Card Offers Better Value?
HSBC TravelOne vs Axis Atlas Credit Card: Which Premium Travel Card Reigns Supreme in 2025?
Introduction
Travel credit cards have evolved significantly in the Indian market, offering increasingly competitive reward structures and travel benefits for frequent flyers. Two prominent contenders in the premium travel card segment are the newly launched HSBC TravelOne Credit Card and the established Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card. Both cards target travel enthusiasts with impressive reward structures, but they differ significantly in their approach to benefits and features.
This comprehensive comparison dives deep into every aspect of these premium travel cards to help you determine which one aligns better with your spending patterns and travel needs. From reward structures and redemption options to lounge access privileges and foreign transaction fees, we'll analyze everything you need to make an informed decision.
Fee Structure and Welcome Benefits
Joining and Renewal Fees
Both cards have nearly identical fee structures:
- HSBC TravelOne: ₹4,999 + GST (₹5,898 inclusive of taxes)
- Axis Atlas: ₹5,000 + GST (₹5,900 inclusive of taxes)
Welcome Benefits Comparison
Where these cards significantly diverge is in their welcome offers:
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card offers:
- ₹1,000 cashback
- ₹3,000 PostCard Hotels voucher
- 3-month EazyDiner Prime Membership
However, these benefits come with strings attached - you must spend ₹10,000 within 30 days of card activation and download the HSBC mobile banking app. Additionally, the PostCard voucher can only be used when staying at their premium hotels, limiting its practicality for many users.
The card also offers 3,000 bonus Reward Points when spending ₹1 lakh within 90 days of card setup - a relatively high spending threshold.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card provides:
- 2,500 EDGE Miles simply for completing one transaction within 30 days of card issuance
While this may seem less substantial at first glance, these EDGE Miles offer significant flexibility as they can be converted to various airline and hotel partners at favorable ratios (typically 1:2), effectively doubling their value.
Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card offers a more straightforward and practical welcome benefit with minimal spending requirements.
Reward Structure and Earning Potential
The core value proposition of any travel card lies in its reward structure. Let's compare how these cards perform:
| Category | HSBC TravelOne | Axis Atlas |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Spending | 4 Reward Points/₹100 (~4% value) | 5 EDGE Miles/₹100 (~10% value) |
| Other Spending | 2 Reward Points/₹100 (~2% value) | 2 EDGE Miles/₹100 (~4% value) |
The Axis Atlas card offers a distinct advantage with its EDGE Miles system, which converts to partner programs at a 1:2 ratio for most partners, effectively doubling the stated reward rate compared to HSBC TravelOne's 1:1 conversion ratio.
Reward Redemption Value
HSBC TravelOne:
- Features 22 transfer partners (17 airlines and 5 hotels)
- Offers a 1:1 transfer ratio for most partners
- Provides fast redemption, often instant or within one day
Axis Atlas:
- Offers transfers to multiple airline and hotel partners
- Features a 1:2 transfer ratio for most partners
- Has an annual cap of 150,000 EDGE Miles that can be transferred to partner points
While HSBC has more transfer partners, the Axis Atlas card's superior conversion ratio significantly enhances the value of its reward system.
Transfer Partners and Conversion Ratios
HSBC TravelOne Airline Transfer Partners
| Airline Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Air India | Maharaja Club | 1:1 |
| Jet Airways | InterMiles | 1:1 |
| Air Canada | Aeroplan | 1:1 |
| Air France–KLM | Flying Blue | 1:1 |
| British Airways | Executive Club | 1:1 |
| Etihad Airways | Etihad Guest | 1:1 |
| EVA Air | Infinity MileageLands | 1:1 |
| Hainan Airlines | Fortune Wings Club | 1:1 |
| Japan Airlines | JAL Mileage Bank | 1:1 |
| Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer | 1:1 |
| Qantas Airways | Frequent Flyer | 1:1 |
| Qatar Airways | Privilege Club | 1:1 |
| Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus | 1:1 |
| Turkish Airlines | Miles&Smiles | 1:1 |
| United Airlines | MileagePlus | 1:1 |
| Vietnam Airlines | Lotusmiles | 1:1 |
| AirAsia | AirAsia Rewards | 1:3 |
HSBC TravelOne Hotel Transfer Partners
| Hotel Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
| Accor Hotels | ALL – Accor Live Limitless | 1:1 |
| IHG Hotels & Resorts | IHG One Rewards | 1:1 |
| Marriott International | Marriott Bonvoy | 1:1 |
| Wyndham Hotels & Resorts | Wyndham Rewards | 1:1 |
| Shangri-La | Shangri-La Circle | 1:5 |
Axis Atlas Group A Airline Transfer Partners (Max 30,000 EDGE Miles transferrable per calender year)
| Airline Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
| Air Canada | Aeroplan | 1:2 |
| Ethiopian Airlines | ShebaMiles | 1:2 |
| Etihad Airways | Etihad Guest | 1:2 |
| Japan Airlines | JAL Mileage Bank | 1:2 |
| Qatar Airways | Privilege Club | 1:2 |
| Singapore Airlines | KrisFlyer | 1:2 |
| Turkish Airlines | Miles & Smiles | 1:2 |
| Thai Airways | Royal Orchid Plus | 1:2 |
| United Airlines | MileagePlus | 1:2 |
Axis Atlas Group B Airline Transfer Partners (Max 120,000 EDGE Miles transferrable per calender year)
| Airline Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
| Air France–KLM | Flying Blue | 1:2 |
| Air India | Flying Returns | 1:2 |
| Qantas Airways | Frequent Flyer | 1:2 |
| SpiceJet | SpiceClub | 1:2 |
| Vistara | Club Vistara | 1:2 |
| AirAsia | AirAsia Rewards | 1:2 |
Axis Atlas Group A Hotel Transfer Partners (Max 30,000 EDGE Miles transferrable per calender year)
| Hotel Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
| Accor Hotels | ALL – Accor Live Limitless | 1:2 |
| Marriott International | Marriott Bonvoy | 2:1 |
| Wyndham Hotels | Wyndham Rewards | 1:2 |
Axis Atlas Group B Hotel Transfer Partners (Max 120,000 EDGE Miles transferrable per calender year)
| Hotel Partner | Loyalty Program | Conversion Ratio |
| ITC Hotels | ITC Hotels Loyalty Program | 1:2 |
| IHG Hotels & Resorts | IHG One Rewards | 1:2 |
Axis Atlas Credit Card delivers substantially more value through its superior earning rates and conversion ratios, particularly for travel enthusiasts who redeem for partner programs.
Airport Lounge Access
HSBC TravelOne Lounge Access:
- 6 domestic lounge visits per year.
- 4 international lounge visits per year.
Axis Atlas Lounge Access (Tier-Based):
- Silver Tier (Spending < ₹7.5 lakh): 8 domestic, 4 international visits.
- Gold Tier (Spending ₹7.5 lakh – ₹15 lakh): 12 domestic, 6 international visits.
- Platinum Tier (Spending > ₹15 lakh): 18 domestic, 12 international visits.
Comparison & Verdict:
- Even at the lowest tier, Axis Atlas provides more domestic lounge visits than HSBC TravelOne.
- Higher spenders benefit significantly more from Axis Atlas due to increased lounge access.
Axis Atlas Credit Card – Best suited for frequent travelers who can reach higher spending tiers.
Foreign Currency Markup Fees
When traveling internationally, foreign currency transaction fees can significantly impact your overall card value:
- HSBC TravelOne: 3.5% foreign currency markup
- Axis Atlas: 3.5% foreign currency markup
Additional Benefits
Beyond the core travel benefits, both cards offer various lifestyle perks:
HSBC TravelOne:
- Four complimentary golf rounds annually
- Twelve golf lessons per year
- Purchase protection up to $20,000 annually
- Annual fee waiver on spending ₹8 lakh annually
Axis Atlas:
- Dining discounts of up to 25% (maximum ₹800) at partner restaurants via EazyDiner
- Tier-based milestone benefits (additional EDGE Miles)
- Annual renewal benefits for Gold tier (2,500 EDGE Miles) and Platinum tier (5,000 EDGE Miles)
Milestone Benefits and Tier Structure
Both cards offer additional benefits for reaching spending thresholds:
HSBC TravelOne:
- 10,000 Reward Points upon spending ₹12 lakh in a card anniversary year
Axis Atlas:
follows a tiered approach:
- 2,500 EDGE Miles upon reaching ₹3 lakh spending
- Additional 2,500 EDGE Miles upon reaching ₹7.5 lakh spending
- Additional 5,000 EDGE Miles upon reaching ₹15 lakh spending
The Axis Atlas card not only offers more milestone benefits but also structures them in a way that rewards cardholders at multiple spending levels, rather than requiring a high single threshold.
Axis Atlas Credit Card provides a more flexible and rewarding milestone structure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
General Questions
Q: What are the annual fees for HSBC TravelOne and Axis Atlas Credit Cards?
A: HSBC TravelOne has an annual fee of ₹4,999 + GST (₹5,898 inclusive), while Axis Atlas has an annual fee of ₹5,000 + GST (₹5,900 inclusive).
Q: Can the annual fee be waived for either card?
A: HSBC TravelOne offers a fee waiver on annual spending of ₹8 lakh, while Axis Atlas does not provide a spend-based fee waiver.
Q: What credit score is required for these premium travel cards?
A: Both cards typically require excellent credit scores (750+) for approval, along with strong income documentation.
Rewards and Benefits
Q: Which card offers better reward rates on travel spending?
A: Axis Atlas offers 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 (effectively 10% with 1:2 conversion), while HSBC TravelOne offers 4 Reward Points per ₹100 (4% with 1:1 conversion).
Q: Is there a cap on reward earning for these cards?
A: Yes, HSBC TravelOne caps accelerated rewards at 50,000 points monthly, while Axis Atlas caps accelerated rewards on spending up to ₹2 lakh monthly.
Q: Which card offers more airport lounge access?
A: Axis Atlas offers more lounge access even at its base tier (8 domestic, 4 international) compared to HSBC TravelOne (6 domestic, 4 international), with significantly more at higher tiers.
Q: Do either of these cards offer golf benefits?
A: HSBC TravelOne provides four golf rounds and twelve golf lessons annually, while Axis Atlas does not offer golf benefits.
Card Usage and Redemption
Q: What are the foreign transaction fees for these cards?
A: HSBC TravelOne charges 3.5% forex markup, while Axis Atlas charges 2% forex markup.
Q: Can reward points from these cards be transferred to airline partners?
A: Yes, both cards allow transfers to multiple airline and hotel partners, but Axis Atlas typically offers a more favorable 1:2 conversion ratio compared to HSBC TravelOne's 1:1 ratio.
Q: Is there an annual limit on point transfers?
A: Axis Atlas limits transfers to 150,000 EDGE Miles annually, while HSBC TravelOne does not specify an annual transfer cap.
Q: What categories are excluded from earning rewards?
A: Both cards exclude certain categories like fuel, insurance, government payments, and utilities from earning rewards.
Card Management
Q: How can I track my tier status with the Axis Atlas Card?
A: You can track your tier status through the Axis Bank mobile app or net banking portal, which shows your current spending and tier level.
Q: How quickly do rewards post to my account?
A: For both cards, rewards typically post within 3-5 business days of transaction settlement.
Q: Can these cards be used with mobile payment platforms?
A: Yes, both cards are compatible with major mobile payment platforms like Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay.
Q: What should I do if I lose my card while traveling internationally?
A: Both banks offer emergency card replacement services for international travelers. Contact the 24/7 helpline mentioned on the back of your card or available on the bank's website.