To capture the huge market of young online shoppers and to compete with the likes of Amazon ICICI credit card, Axis has partnered with the Flipkart and launched the Flipkart Axis bank credit card. This is a direct competitor of Amazon ICICI credit card and has similar features.
Like other credit cards of Axis, in 2023, this one also got slightly devalued (spends on Myntra now get 1.5% cashback instead of 5%). However for Myntra shoppers there is new & better card available – Myntra Kotak credit card.
Here’s everything you need to know about this card.
Overview
It is a simple cashback credit card and is one of the most issued credit cards in the country right now based on number of active cards and its aimed at youngsters who shop on Flipkart. It also comes with Lounge access benefit, gets you fuel surcharge waiver and more and that too for a minimal fee.
| Type | Entry level Cashback credit card |
| Reward Rate | 5% on Flipkart; 4% on preferred merchants; 1.5% everywhere else |
| Best for | Online shopping on Flipkart |
Design
It has a simple design depicting a ribbon sort of shape running across the length of the card with blue and red color representing the partnership of Flipkart and Axis. With a black background the colors do pop up making it appear with a subtle 3D effect in day light when seen in person. The card material is plastic as expected and is issued on Visa or Mastercard network.
Fees & Charges
Joining & Renewal Fees
| Joining Fee | Rs. 500 + 18% GST |
| Joining Fee Waiver | N/A |
| Joining Benefit | Rs. 500 worth Flipkart voucher on first transaction; 50% discount up to Rs.100 once only on 1st Swiggy order using Flipkart card |
| Renewal Fee | Rs. 500 + 18% GST |
| Renewal Fee Waiver | waived off on annual spends greater than Rs. 3.5 lakh; Rent transactions (MCC 6513) and wallet load transactions (MCC 6540) aren’t eligible for annual fee waiver |
| Renewal Benefit | None |
You may be able to get the card free for first year as sometimes Axis runs that offer but joining benefit will not be applicable then.
For joining benefit on paid cards, Customer will have to make a transaction within 30 days of card issuance to be eligible for the offer. Flipkart Gift Vouchers will be sent to the registered mobile number within 30 days of the first transaction on the credit card.
For Swiggy benefit, customers new to Swiggy can avail 50% discount up to Rs.100 once on first ever transaction using Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card and
- Offer is valid on the minimum cart value of Rs 129
- Only transaction done within 30 days of card issuance will be considered for the cashback
- Use the code “AXISFKNEW”
- This offer cannot be clubbed with any other offer on Swiggy
The renewal fee waiver criteria has been increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs 3.5 lakh (75% higher) 😦
Other Charges
Forex Payments
3.50% of the transaction value + 18% GST (which adds up to 4.13%) which means it is not a good option to use it for foreign trips as you would end up paying 1.87% extra (4.13% – 2%).
Fuel Purchases
There is no cashback on fuel purchases but you do get 1% fuel surcharge waiver across all petrol pumps in India as long as transactions are between Rs. 400 – Rs. 4000, exclusive of GST and other charges.
Ex. If you purchase fuel of Rs. 2000 then 1% surcharge of Rs. 20 is first applied and then waived off but the 18% GST of Rs. 3.6 is levied.
There is a capping of Rs. 400 per statement cycle for surcharge waiver which is more than enough.
Rent Payments
No cashback on rent payments plus a charge of 1% of the transaction value + GST capped at Rs. 1500 per transaction is levied. Also, all the portals for rent payments take their own convenience fee which means use of this card for rent payments is not a good idea.
EMI Fees
For EMI transactions, a one-time processing fee of 1.5% or Rs. 250 whichever is higher is charged on the date of conversion.
Benefits
Cashback
The cashback is in the form of statement credit which is the best type of cashback :).
| Spend Category | Cashback Rate |
| Spends on Flipkart (excluding Flipkart Health and Flipkart Flights & Hotels) | 5% |
| Preferred Merchants (Cleartrip, Cult.Fit, PVR, Swiggy, Uber, Tata Play) | 4% |
| Any other spends | 1.5% |
| Exclusions | Fuel, Purchase of gift cards on Flipkart & Myntra, EMI transactions, Purchases converted to EMI, Wallet loads, Jewellry, Insurance services, Utilities, Educational services, Government services, Rent |
Few things to note regarding cashback:
- Cashback will be rounded down for each individual transaction. i.e. For a transaction of Rs. 1100 of 1.5% category cashback will be only Rs. 16 instead of Rs. 16.5 (1100*1.5/100)
- Cashback is not applicable on transactions less than Rs. 100.
- 4% cashback on preferred merchants will be over & above regular sale offers by Axis or merchant
- Cashback earned for the purchases during the current billing cycle is credited in the next billing cycle 3 days prior to the statement generation date i.e. if the statement date is 15th March, cashback earned in the Feb month cycle (16th Jan-15th Feb) will be credited on 12th March
Note: During festive sales, you don’t get the benefit of double dip on Flipkart on using this card i.e. you can only get 5% cashback and reduced upfront discount compared to other Axis credit card which takes away the edge of this card.
Travel Benefits
Airport Lounge Access
With the entry level card that this is, it still comes with 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per calendar year which is of great value. Good thing is the lounge visits limit is for a year not for every quarter so for round trips this will be beneficial. Just using it once at a lounge would get you your money’s worth.
- List of eligible airport lounges for mastercard network can be checked here.
- List of eligible airport lounges for visa network can be checked here.
The list is not that long but at least you have an option at all major metro cities in India.
Tip: Get the Visa variant for this card. It gives access to Bangalore’s 080 Domestic Lounge.
Dining Benefits
There are no special dining benefits just for this card but as part of Axis Dining Delight you can get upto 15% off upto Rs. 500 at restaurants by using EazyDiner to pay the bill.
- Offer: 15% off upto Rs. 500
- Min. Transaction: Rs. 2500
- Usage limit: Once a month per customer on EazyDiner
More details on Axis Bank Dining Delight program are available here.
Best way to use this card
- Use for 5% cashback on Flipkart
- Use on Swiggy & Uber, Cleartrip for 4% cashback on top of app offers
- Avail airport lounge access
How to apply
With Axis you can hold up a maximum of three cards. You can apply either on Axis bank website or at your nearest Axis bank branch. If you already hold an Axis card, then the credit limit they issue might be combined for this card and your existing one given that your existing card is non-premium category card.
Verdict
Overall it is a decent credit card for beginners who are shopping on Flipkart. With the recent devaluation of this card which came in effect from 12th Aug 2023, this card has lost lot of its power for sure.
Amazon ICICI credit card offers 2% cashback on utility and insurance payments when done through Amazon against nothing for Axis Flipkart. Thus ICICI Amazon credit card is better in this regard. However, the Axis Flipkart card scores better is many areas such as
- It gives 5% cashback without the need for any membership. With Amazon ICICI card, you need Amazon Prime membership (which costs 1499/year) for 5% cashback otherwise you get only 3%.
- Base cashback rate is higher (1.5% vs 1%) and cashback comes as statement credit rather than going to wallet (Amazon Pay).
- It gives free lounge access (limited to 4 per year)
Having said that, this card remains highly beneficial for many users and is expected to remain so in the near future. The fee associated with it is minimal, and in exchange, you receive significant returns.
What are your thoughts about the Flipkart Axis Bank Credit Card? Feel free to share your views in the comment section below.
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