Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis Magnus vs HDFC Smart Pay
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
Axis Bank
Axis Magnus
Wins 4 of 10
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC Smart Pay
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
HDFC Smart Pay wins 5-4. Lowest-fee credit card from HDFC — utility-only. Axis Magnus is still the right call if high-spenders post-2024 devaluation — still solid for ₹2l+/month travel..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis Magnus | HDFC Smart Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹199 |
| Joining fee | · ₹12,500 | ₹199 |
| Top reward rate | 12% (travel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 4.8% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 12,500 EDGE Reward Points + ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ voucher | = 500 CashPoints on activation |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹2,500,000 / yr | ₹20,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,800,000 | ₹180,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.3/5 | · 3.8/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis Magnus
- 12 EDGE points per ₹200 on travel via TravelEdge portal
- 4.8 EDGE points per ₹200 on general spend
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge access (Priority Pass)
- Buy 1 get 1 BookMyShow tickets monthly (capped 5)
- Annual ₹10,000 milestone vouchers from Tata CLiQ
- Concierge 24x7 + golf 4x/month
HDFC Smart Pay
- 1 CashPoint per ₹150 on retail
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Auto-pay reminders
- Contactless payments
FAQ
›Axis Magnus vs HDFC Smart Pay: which is better?
HDFC Smart Pay wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis Magnus for its best categories, HDFC Smart Pay for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis Magnus: 12,500 EDGE Reward Points + ₹10,000 Tata CLiQ voucher. HDFC Smart Pay: 500 CashPoints on activation.