Kotak White Reserve vs Axis Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Kotak White Reserve wins 5-4. Premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3K-fee tier. Axis Reserve is still the right call if invitation-only super-premium — for ₹25l+/year spenders..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | Axis Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹50,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 | · ₹50,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (dining) | 5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 5% |
| Forex markup | · 1.99% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | = 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹600,000 / yr | · ₹2,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹1,800,000 | · ₹5,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 780 | · 820 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
Axis Reserve
- 5 EDGE points per ₹100 (effectively 5%)
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge visits
- Taj Epicure + ITC Culinaire memberships
- Concierge 24x7 globally
- 0% forex markup on first ₹15L of FX/year
- Annual ₹25K vouchers at milestones
FAQ
›Kotak White Reserve vs Axis Reserve: which is better?
Kotak White Reserve 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 Kotak White Reserve for its best categories, Axis Reserve for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite. Axis Reserve: 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership.