Axis Bank Magnus is getting more expensive for new applicants, and that’s the kind of change premium card shoppers need to notice quickly. The annual fee is rising from ₹10,000 to ₹12,500 + GST for applications made from May 1, 2026. Existing cardholders keep their current fee until their next renewal, so this is a split change rather than a blanket hike.
The rest of the card’s headline perks are being left alone for now. Axis is keeping the complimentary Meet & Greet benefit and 8 Priority Pass visits per year intact. That matters because fee hikes are easier to swallow when the core travel benefits stay stable, but it also means the card is becoming more expensive without any obvious offsetting upgrade.
For new applicants, this changes the entry math quite a bit. Magnus has always been positioned as a premium travel and lifestyle card, but once the fee crosses ₹12,500 + GST, the card needs to justify itself more aggressively. If you are someone who can actually use the travel benefits, airport assistance, and premium positioning, the card may still make sense. But if you were already on the fence, this hike makes the decision tougher.
The timing is important too. Since the higher fee applies only to new applications from May 1, 2026, anyone who was already planning to apply should think about whether they want to move before the change or wait and reassess. Existing users have a little breathing room because their current fee stays in place until renewal, but that doesn’t mean the increase is irrelevant. Renewal time is when the new cost will eventually hit.
Compared with other premium cards, this puts more pressure on Magnus to deliver real-world value. A high annual fee is not automatically a problem if the card gives back enough through travel perks, lounge access, and redemption value. But when the fee rises and the benefits stay the same, the card becomes harder to recommend casually. It starts to make sense only for users who are already extracting strong value from the package.
What You Should Do: If you were planning to apply for Magnus, do it only if the current benefit set genuinely fits your travel style and you are comfortable with the ₹12,500 + GST fee. Existing cardholders should check their renewal cycle and decide whether the card still earns its keep before the higher fee lands.