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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹12,500
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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HDFC Bank

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.04%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank Magnus Credit CardPharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee₹12,500₹500
Joining Fee₹12,500₹500
Fee Waiver Spend₹25,00,000₹70,000
Base Reward Rate0.2%0.04%
Reward CurrencyEDGE Reward PointsReward Points
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8/106.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 0% on Pharmeasy — 3000 pts/month

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of 17.5 EDGE points per ₹200 on spends above ₹1.5 Lakhs monthly.
  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • Low foreign currency markup fee of 2% for international transactions.
  • Welcome benefit voucher worth ₹12,500 effectively offsets the joining fee.

Cons

  • Significant devaluation in 2024 removed monthly milestone bonuses and concierge services.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹25 Lakhs is difficult for most users to reach.
  • Reward points transfer ratio to air miles reduced from 5:4 to 5:2 for non-Burgundy users.

Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on Pharmeasy spends including medicines and healthcare products
  • Complimentary 6-month Pharmeasy Plus membership worth ₹999
  • Up to 50% discount on diagnostic tests and health check-ups
  • Low annual fee waiver threshold of ₹70,000 per year

Cons

  • No airport lounge access benefits
  • Low base reward rate of 1 point per ₹150 spent
  • Monthly reward point cap of 3,000 points on partner spends

Our Verdict

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card if

Best value is unlocked after crossing the ₹1.5 Lakh monthly spend threshold.

Choose Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card if

High 5% value back on regular medicine and diagnostic requirements via Pharmeasy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,500, while Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹25,00,000 annual spend. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹70,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.2%. Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 0.04% base rewards with bonuses on Pharmeasy. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card or Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card?
For beginners, Pharmeasy HDFC Bank Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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