Airtel Axis Credit Card: Is It the Best Choice for Utility Bills and Food Delivery?

Key Features

• Cashback Structure:
  • 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband, Wi-Fi, and DTH bill payments via Airtel Thanks app (capped at ₹250/month).
  • 10% cashback on utility bills (gas, electricity, etc.) via Airtel Thanks app (capped at ₹250/month).
  • 10% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket (capped at ₹500/month across all partner merchants).
  • 1% unlimited cashback on all other retail spends (RuPay variant includes 1% on UPI spends).
• Welcome Benefit: ₹500 Amazon e-voucher on first transaction within 30 days of card issuance.
• Lounge Access: 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar year at select airports (e.g., Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi).
• Dining Discounts: Up to 15% off at partner restaurants under Axis Bank’s Dining Delights program.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000 (up to ₹500/statement cycle, GST non-refunded).
• EMI Conversion: Transactions above ₹2,500 can be converted to EMIs.
• Annual Fee Waiver: Waived on spending ₹2 lakh annually.

Rewards and Benefits

The card’s rewards are cashback-focused, credited directly to the cardholder’s statement, eliminating the hassle of redeeming points. The standout feature is the 25% cashback on Airtel services, which is ideal for users with multiple Airtel connections (e.g., mobile, broadband, DTH). For example, spending ₹1,000/month on Airtel services yields ₹250 cashback, and ₹2,500/month on utility bills yields another ₹250, totaling ₹500/month in savings. The 10% cashback on partner merchants like Swiggy and Zomato is valuable for frequent online shoppers or food delivery users, with a ₹500 monthly cap. The 1% cashback on other spends ensures some reward on non-bonus categories, though it’s lower than competing cards. Additional benefits like lounge access and dining discounts add lifestyle value, while the Amazon voucher offsets the first-year fee. However, cashback caps and app-specific requirements may limit its appeal for high spenders or those using other payment platforms.

Exclusions from Cashback

• Fuel spends
• Wallet loading transactions
• Rent payments
• Gold/jewelry purchases
• Cash advances
• EMI transactions
• Card fees and outstanding balance payments
• Utility bills paid outside Airtel Thanks app
• Payments for new/inactive Airtel connections

Fees and Charges

• Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (~₹590), waived on ₹2 lakh annual spend.
• Joining Fee: ₹500 + GST, offset by ₹500 Amazon voucher.
• Finance Charges: 3.75% per month (55.55% per annum).
• Late Payment Fee: Tiered based on outstanding balance (e.g., ₹100–₹1,000 depending on amount).
• Over-Limit Fee: Charged if credit limit is exceeded.
• Cash Advance Fee: Applicable on ATM withdrawals, plus immediate interest.
• Foreign Currency Markup Fee: ~3.5% + GST for international transactions.
• Additional Fee: ₹100/cycle if Minimum Amount Due (MAD) is unpaid for two consecutive cycles.
• GST: Applicable on all fees and charges.