American Express Platinum vs Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

If you’re a high net-worth individual contemplating the application for a top-tier premium credit card, it’s likely that the American Express Platinum Card and Axis Bank Reserve Card have crossed your mind. These credit cards belong to the super-premium category, each imposing a substantial membership fee—Rs. 50,000 for the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card and Rs. 60,000 for the American Express Platinum Credit Card.

Being super-premium credit cards, both offerings not only provide an attractive reward rate but also deliver an array of additional benefits and perks. These include complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges, comprehensive insurance coverage, complimentary hotel gift vouchers, and various other privileges.

Features and Benefits of American Express Platinum Credit Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

American Express Platinum Credit Card:

1. Annual Fee: Rs. 60,000, making it one of the highest membership fee cards in the market.
2. Card Type: Charge Card with no predetermined credit limit, based on spending behavior.
3. Joining Benefits: Gift vouchers worth Rs. 45,000 from Vivanta Hotels, Taj, and SeleQtions, along with up to 1,00,000 membership reward points.
4. Earning Points: 1 Membership Rewards Point on every Rs. 40 spent (except on fuel, insurance, and fuel transactions).
5. Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic and international lounge access, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges, Escape Lounges, Delta Sky Club Lounges, and American Express Lounges.
6. International Benefits: 3X Membership Rewards Points on all spends abroad and 5X Membership Rewards Points via Reward Multiplier.
7. Dining Discounts: Up to 50% discount at 1,800+ premium restaurants, complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership.
8. Concierge Service: 24×7 global concierge service for hotel/flight bookings.
9. Hotel Loyalty Upgrades: Upgrade to a higher tier in leading hotel loyalty programs.
10. Luxury Rail Journeys: USD 100 per person for fine dining on Platinum Luxury Rail Journeys in Europe.
11. Hotel Discounts: Up to 25% off at select hotels and complimentary benefits worth up to Rs. 37,000.
12. Insurance Coverage: Comprehensive coverage including air accidents, loss of baggage, overseas medical expenditure, and wallet protection.
13. Golf Access: Complimentary access to over 30 golf courses in India and 50+ worldwide.

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card:

1. Annual Fee: Rs. 50,000, positioning it as a super-premium credit card.
2. Rewards: 50,000 Edge Reward Points as a welcome benefit and on card renewal.
3. Reward Rates: 1.5% on domestic spends, 2x reward rate on international transactions.
4. Lounge Access: Unlimited domestic lounge access and 12 international lounges annually with Priority Pass.
5. Airport Assistance: VIP assistance at airports 8 times a year and luxury pick-up/drop-offs 8 times a year.
6. Memberships: Complimentary Club ITC Culinaire and Accorplus memberships.
7. Hotel Benefits: Discounts and complimentary stays at Oberoi hotels and Postcard hotels.
8. Entertainment: BOGO offer on BookMyShow tickets and dining discounts at partner restaurants.
9. Golf Privileges: 50 complimentary rounds of golf every year at premium golf destinations.
10. Insurance Cover: Comprehensive coverage including air accident, purchase protection, loss/delay of baggage/personal documents, credit shield, and lost card cover.

Comparison between American Express Platinum Credit Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card

American Express Platinum Credit Card:

• Reward Rate:
  • 1 Membership Rewards Point per Rs. 40 (except on fuel, utility, and insurance spends).
  • 5 Membership Rewards Points on fuel.
  • Earn five times the Membership Rewards Points when you make purchases using the Reward Multiplier feature.
  • 3X Membership Reward Points on overseas spends.
  • 15 Edge Reward Per Rs. 200 spent.
  • 2x Edge Reward Points on international spends.
• Reward Redemption:
  • Membership Rewards Points can be redeemed for shopping vouchers, INSTA rewards, AirMiles transfer to partner airlines, partner hotel loyalty programs, product purchases, or as cashback against the card balance.
• Welcome/Renewal Benefits:
  • Receive 100,000 Membership Rewards Points alongside gift vouchers valued at Rs. 45,000, redeemable at Taj, SeleQtions, and Vivanta Hotels.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Enjoy access to airport lounges worldwide, both domestically and internationally, without any limits or additional charges.
  • Complimentary upgrade to higher tiers of leading hotel loyalty programs.
  • Discounts at Taj, Vivanta, and SeleQtions hotels.
  • Complimentary access to golf courses globally.
  • Priority Pass membership for airport lounge access.
• Membership Fee:
  • Rs. 60,000 per annum (plus GST).
• Eligibility:
  • Minimum annual income of Rs. 25 lacs for salaried applicants.

Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card:

• Reward Rate:
  • The reward rates can be exchanged for unique merchandise and gift certificates.
• Reward Redemption:
  • Exchange this for premium items and gift certificates accessible through the bank’s reward redemption platform.
• Welcome/Renewal Benefits:
  • Receive 50,000 Edge Reward Points upon activating or renewing your card.
• Additional Benefits:
  • Unlimited domestic airport lounge access and 12 international lounge accesses annually with Priority Pass membership.
  • 50 rounds of golf at premium golf destinations every year.
  • Club ITC Culinaire membership and complimentary Accorplus and Club Marriott Asia Pacific memberships.
  • Complimentary insurance cover worth Rs. 4.5 crores and other travel-related insurance benefits.
• Membership Fee:
  • Rs. 50,000 per annum (plus GST), waived off upon spending more than Rs. 25 lacs in the last 12 months.
• Eligibility:
  • No income criteria mentioned by the bank.

Which credit card suits you best?

1. A comparison is drawn between the travel perks offered by the American Express Platinum Credit Card and the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card.
2. Both cards provide top-notch travel perks, including complimentary airport lounge access, discounted rates at high-end hotels and restaurants, and airport assistance services.
3. The Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs. 50,000, while the AmEx Platinum Card charges Rs. 60,000, making it Rs. 10,000 more expensive.
4. The American Express Platinum Credit Card brings perks exclusive to Taj hotels, while the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card grants privileges specifically tailored for ITC hotels.
5. The American Express Platinum Credit Card provides unlimited access to both domestic and international airport lounges. On the other hand, the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card grants unlimited visits to domestic lounges and up to 12 visits per year to international lounges.
6. In terms of reward rates, features, benefits, and annual fees, both cards are relatively similar.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the key travel benefits offered by the American Express Platinum Credit Card and Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card?

Both cards provide best-in-class travel benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access, discounted rates at premium hotels and restaurants, and airport assistance services.

2. What is the annual fee for the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card and the American Express Platinum Credit Card?

The Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card has an annual fee of Rs. 50,000, while the American Express Platinum Credit Card charges Rs. 60,000, making it Rs. 10,000 more expensive.

3. Do these credit cards offer benefits at specific hotel chains?

Yes, the American Express Platinum Credit Card provides discounts and benefits at Taj hotels, while the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers benefits at ITC hotels.

4. How does the airport lounge access differ between the two cards?

The American Express Platinum Credit Card provides unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access, whereas the Axis Bank Reserve Credit Card offers unlimited domestic access and 12 international lounge visits per year.

5. Are there any significant differences in the reward rates, features, and benefits between these two credit cards?

Both cards are more or less similar in terms of reward rates, features, and benefits offered. The primary distinctions lie in the specific hotel partnerships and the airport lounge access details.

6. Are there any additional perks or services that make one card stand out over the other?

While both cards are comparable, it’s essential to consider personal preferences and travel habits. The choice between the two may depend on individual priorities, such as preferred hotel chains or specific airport lounge access requirements.

7. How can I decide which credit card is more suitable for my needs?

To determine the most suitable card for your needs, carefully compare the travel benefits, annual fees, and additional perks of each card. Consider your travel habits, preferred hotel chains, and the type of airport lounge access you require. It’s recommended to evaluate these factors based on your individual preferences and requirements.