Axis Bank Rewards vs MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Axis Bank Rewards and MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank Rewards has an annual fee of ₹1,000 + GST against ₹999 + GST for MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank, so MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank Rewards earns 2 EDGE Reward Points per ₹125 on eligible spend while MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank earns 1 myCash per ₹100 on eligible other retail spend. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank has the lower forex markup at 0.99%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-25. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank Rewards | MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹1,000 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹1,000 + GST | ₹999 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹2,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹3,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 2 EDGE Reward Points per ₹125 on eligible spend | 1 myCash per ₹100 on eligible other retail spend |
| Accelerated routes | apparel and department stores | MakeMyTrip hotels · MakeMyTrip flights, buses and cabs |
| Reward exclusions | transportation, tolls, utility, telecom, insurance, education, government, wallet load, wire transfer, rent, fuel | rent, cash advance, late payment fee, emi, fees, balance transfer, personal loan |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 0.99% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% fuel-surcharge waiver on ₹400–₹5,000 transactions, capped at ₹400 per statement cycle; GST is not reversed | Not recorded — confirm with issuer |
| Domestic lounge | 2/quarter after ₹50,000 spend in the previous 3 calendar months | 2/quarter after ₹75,000 spend in previous calendar quarter; primary Cardholder only |
| International lounge | none | 1/yr; primary Cardholder only |
| Card networks | Visa, Mastercard | Mastercard, RuPay |
| Best suited to | shopping, milestone spender, lounge, entry | travel, makemytrip, low forex |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-23 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank Rewards better than the MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank Rewards charges ₹1,000 + GST a year and earns 2 EDGE Reward Points per ₹125 on eligible spend; MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank charges ₹999 + GST and earns 1 myCash per ₹100 on eligible other retail spend. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Axis Bank Rewards or MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank?
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹999 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank Rewards or MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank?
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank publishes the lower forex markup at 0.99% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.