IndiGo Axis Bank Credit Card Review: Base vs Premium
Axis Bank launched two IndiGo co-brand cards in February 2026 — a ₹799 base card and a ₹5,000 Premium card. Both earn IndiGo BluChips, but they suit very different flyers.
The base card is a cheap way to collect BluChips on everyday spending. The Premium earns the highest card rate on IndiGo bookings of any IndiGo co-brand (7 per ₹100), adds a lower 2.5% forex markup and international lounge access, and only makes sense if you fly IndiGo several times a year.
- Premium earns 7 card BluChips per ₹100 on IndiGo — the highest of any IndiGo card
- Base card costs only ₹799
- Premium milestones of 5,000 BluChips at ₹2, 5, 8 and 12 lakh (reported)
- Premium forex markup 2.5%
- Visa and RuPay options; RuPay works on UPI
- BluChips are usable only on IndiGo fares
- Card BluChip value is set by IndiGo and varies
- Premium’s ₹5,000 fee needs high spend to justify
- Lounge visits reportedly need ₹50,000 previous-quarter spend
- Long exclusion list (rent, fuel, utilities, insurance, wallet, government and more)
Fees and charges
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Base annual fee | ₹799 + GST (spend waiver not confirmed; Axis has shown nil-fee offers) |
| Premium annual fee | ₹5,000 + GST |
| Forex markup | Premium 2.5%; base about 3.5% |
| Surcharges | 1% on rent, wallet, gaming, utilities and fuel above set thresholds (reported) |
Rewards: how the card earns
| Spend (per ₹100) | Base | Premium |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo bookings | 3 | 7 |
| Grocery | 2 | 3 |
| Dining | 2 | 2 |
| Hotels | 1 | 3 |
| Other spends | 1 | 2 |
| Welcome and renewal voucher | 1,200 | 5,000 |
| Milestones (reported) | 1,200 at ₹1.5 lakh and ₹3 lakh | 5,000 at ₹2, 5, 8 and 12 lakh |
How BluChips work: IndiGo replaced 6E Rewards with BluChips in 2025. When you book on IndiGo’s own website or app, IndiGo itself gives every member up to 16 BluChips per ₹100 (8 base, 4 for booking direct, up to 4 for tier). The card’s BluChips come on top, so a bank’s “up to 20+” headline usually includes IndiGo’s share. BluChips can be redeemed only against IndiGo fares on IndiGo’s site or app (minimum 500 for the first redemption), at a value IndiGo sets by route and date. Card welcome, renewal and milestone BluChips arrive as vouchers that expire six months after issue.
What earns nothing
Government payments, insurance, utilities including telecom, rent, wallet loads, fuel, jewellery, tolls, gift cards, EMI and cash earn no BluChips.
Other benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Lounges | Base: domestic access; Premium: domestic and international (Priority Pass). Reported to need ₹50,000 spend in the previous quarter |
| Lifestyle (Premium) | BookMyShow and EazyDiner offers |
| Networks | Visa and RuPay |
Eligibility
Issuer
Axis Bank
Variants
IndiGo Axis Bank; IndiGo Axis Bank Premium
Launched
18 Feb 2026
Who this card is for
- Good fit: Base for occasional IndiGo flyers who want BluChips cheaply; Premium for people spending ₹5 lakh+ a year who fly IndiGo often.
- Skip if: you fly several airlines — a general travel card with transferable points is more flexible.
Alternatives worth comparing
Final verdict
The Premium is the best IndiGo card for big spenders who book IndiGo often, thanks to its 7-per-₹100 IndiGo rate, milestones and lower forex markup. The base card is a sensible low-cost option for occasional flyers.
Frequently asked questions
How many BluChips does the IndiGo Axis card earn?
The base card earns 3 per ₹100 on IndiGo, 2 on grocery and dining and 1 elsewhere. The Premium earns 7 on IndiGo, 3 on hotels and groceries and 2 elsewhere. IndiGo adds its own BluChips when you book direct.
What does “up to 23 BluChips” mean?
It adds IndiGo’s own up-to-16 BluChips for direct bookings to the Premium card’s 7. The card itself earns 7.
What are the fees?
₹799 + GST for the base card and ₹5,000 + GST for the Premium.
What is the forex markup?
2.5% on the Premium; about 3.5% on the base card.
When was it launched?
18 February 2026.
Last verified: October 2026, against Axis Bank’s IndiGo card launch release (18 Feb 2026) and card terms. Card terms change often; confirm the current fees and reward rules on the issuer’s website before you apply. All fees are plus 18% GST.