Axis Bank is increasing the annual fee on the Axis Magnus Credit Card from ₹10,000 to ₹12,500 plus GST for new applications starting May 1, 2026. Existing cardholders will retain the current fee until their next renewal, which means the higher pricing is not immediately imposed on the current base. The card’s complimentary Meet & Greet service and 8 Priority Pass visits per year are being retained, so the fee hike is not accompanied by a cut in those headline travel benefits.
The change is fee-only, but it materially alters the card’s value equation. New applicants will now pay ₹2,500 more upfront before GST, which makes break-even harder unless they can fully exploit the travel privileges and premium services. Existing users are temporarily shielded, but they will eventually face the new pricing at renewal, so the announcement matters for both acquisition and retention. Since the card still includes Meet & Greet and 8 annual Priority Pass visits, Axis is clearly trying to preserve the premium positioning while raising monetization.
Compared with cards like Axis Atlas, HDFC Infinia, and SBI Elite, Magnus remains a premium travel and lifestyle product, but the higher fee makes it a tougher recommendation for users who do not travel frequently. The card may still appeal to high-spend customers who value airport assistance and lounge access, but the new annual cost pushes it further into the super-premium bracket. For many consumers, the fee hike is a net negative unless Axis adds offsetting benefits later.
If you are considering Magnus, the timing matters. New applicants should apply before May 1, 2026 if they want to lock in the lower ₹10,000 fee, subject to approval and issuance timing. Existing cardholders do not need to take any action immediately, but should check their renewal cycle to understand when the higher fee will apply. The fine print to watch is whether the GST-inclusive payable amount changes proportionally and whether the Meet & Greet benefit has any usage conditions or airport restrictions that affect real-world value.