Key Takeaways
- • The Economic Times profiles five of India's most elite credit cards, with joining or annual fees ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs 5,00,000.
- • The IDFC First Private Credit Card, an invitation-only card, carries a Rs 50,000 plus GST joining fee and offers zero forex fees, unlimited domestic and international lounge access, and ITC Hotels and golf privileges.
- • The Axis Primus, launched in 2024 as an invitation-only card for ultra-high-net-worth individuals, has a Rs 5,00,000 joining and annual fee, the highest on the list.
- • American Express has paused acceptance of new Platinum card applications in India, a material detail for prospective applicants.
- • Fee-waiver thresholds tied to relationship tiers, such as the Axis Burgundy Private card waiving its Rs 1,00,000 annual fee for clients maintaining a TRV of Rs 5 crore or above, shape the effective cost of these cards.
Summary
The Economic Times has published a feature on five of India's most premium credit cards, describing them as products aimed at high earners, high-net-worth individuals, and clients with high total relationship value (TRV) with their banks. The article states that cards in this tier typically carry joining fees of Rs 1 lakh and above, and that benefits center on lounge access, travel, hospitality, and lifestyle privileges.
The IDFC First Private Credit Card is described as an invitation-only, super-premium product. Its benefits include zero foreign exchange fees on international purchases, including ATM cash withdrawals; unlimited complimentary access to select domestic and international lounges for primary and add-on cardholders; an annual airport meet-and-greet, available by spending approximately Rs 91,000 on international point-of-sale transactions in the prior 12 months; airport transfer discounts across more than 3,000 cities in 83 countries; and ITC Hotels and golf benefits. The joining fee is Rs 50,000 plus GST, which includes 50,000 reward points redeemable up to Rs 50,000 for cards issued on or after July 17, 2026.
The American Express Platinum Charge Card offers access to more than 1,550 lounges globally, Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits worth around Rs 44,300 per stay, and a welcome gift worth up to Rs 60,000. The annual fee is Rs 66,000 plus taxes. The article notes that American Express has paused acceptance of new card applications in India.
The Axis Bank Burgundy Private "The One Card" combines credit, debit, and forex functions and offers zero forex markup, unlimited premier lounge access, 50 domestic and 4 international complimentary golf rounds or lessons per year, and complimentary memberships at Club Marriott, Accor+ Explorer, Taj Epicure, and Eazydiner. The annual fee is Rs 1,00,000, waived for Burgundy Private clients maintaining a TRV of Rs 5 crore or above. A Taj-focused variant carries a Rs 1,10,000 joining fee plus taxes and an annual fee of Rs 1,10,000, with benefits including 25% savings on the best available rate at Taj and participating IHCL hotels, and a limited-time voucher for an extra Taj Palaces night valid for cards issued or renewed through December 31, 2026.
The Axis Primus Credit Card, launched in 2024, is positioned as the first credit card proposition tailored for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and is offered by invitation only. Its benefits include preferential access to more than 10,000 global restaurants, private events, curated travel including private jet access, and unlimited domestic and international Priority Pass lounge access. The joining and annual fee is Rs 5,00,000 for cards issued after July 31, 2024.
The figures are as reported by The Economic Times and reflect the card terms cited in the article.
The IDFC First Private Credit Card is described as an invitation-only, super-premium product. Its benefits include zero foreign exchange fees on international purchases, including ATM cash withdrawals; unlimited complimentary access to select domestic and international lounges for primary and add-on cardholders; an annual airport meet-and-greet, available by spending approximately Rs 91,000 on international point-of-sale transactions in the prior 12 months; airport transfer discounts across more than 3,000 cities in 83 countries; and ITC Hotels and golf benefits. The joining fee is Rs 50,000 plus GST, which includes 50,000 reward points redeemable up to Rs 50,000 for cards issued on or after July 17, 2026.
The American Express Platinum Charge Card offers access to more than 1,550 lounges globally, Fine Hotels & Resorts benefits worth around Rs 44,300 per stay, and a welcome gift worth up to Rs 60,000. The annual fee is Rs 66,000 plus taxes. The article notes that American Express has paused acceptance of new card applications in India.
The Axis Bank Burgundy Private "The One Card" combines credit, debit, and forex functions and offers zero forex markup, unlimited premier lounge access, 50 domestic and 4 international complimentary golf rounds or lessons per year, and complimentary memberships at Club Marriott, Accor+ Explorer, Taj Epicure, and Eazydiner. The annual fee is Rs 1,00,000, waived for Burgundy Private clients maintaining a TRV of Rs 5 crore or above. A Taj-focused variant carries a Rs 1,10,000 joining fee plus taxes and an annual fee of Rs 1,10,000, with benefits including 25% savings on the best available rate at Taj and participating IHCL hotels, and a limited-time voucher for an extra Taj Palaces night valid for cards issued or renewed through December 31, 2026.
The Axis Primus Credit Card, launched in 2024, is positioned as the first credit card proposition tailored for ultra-high-net-worth individuals and is offered by invitation only. Its benefits include preferential access to more than 10,000 global restaurants, private events, curated travel including private jet access, and unlimited domestic and international Priority Pass lounge access. The joining and annual fee is Rs 5,00,000 for cards issued after July 31, 2024.
The figures are as reported by The Economic Times and reflect the card terms cited in the article.
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