Here’s an overview of the modifications and their possible impact on cardholders.
What’s new in the Travel Edge programme?
The update centers around three key areas:
- Removal and addition of transfer partners
- Changes in reward conversion ratios
- Maintenance of caps and transfer regulations
Together, these aspects influence the value cardholders can gain from EDGE Reward Points and EDGE Miles.
Which partners have been eliminated?
Axis Bank has ended partnerships with three prominent loyalty programmes:
- Accor Live Limitless
- Marriott Bonvoy
- Qatar Airways Privilege Club
These partners were among the most popular, particularly for hotel bookings and international travel. Their removal limits valuable redemption options, especially for users who depended on hotel point transfers.
What new partners have been introduced?
The bank has added three new airline-oriented programmes:
- British Airways Executive Club
- Finnair Plus
- Vietnam Airlines Lotusmiles
Are there changes to reward conversion rates?
Yes. A significant change is in the conversion of reward points to partner miles.
- Several credit cards now feature reduced conversion ratios for the new partners
- Cards like Atlas and Horizon see diminished value per point
- Even premium cards such as Magnus for Burgundy and Olympus have less favorable ratios in specific scenarios
- Top-tier cards like Burgundy Private remain relatively less impacted
In simpler terms, cardholders may require more points to achieve the same travel benefits as previously.
What about limits on point transfers?
Axis Bank has upheld its current structure:
- Annual limits on how many points/miles can be transferred
- Two partner categories (Group A and Group B) with distinct limits
- For multiple cards, the highest-tier card governs the overall cap
- EDGE Reward Points and EDGE Miles continue to have separate limitations
This indicates that usage is still regulated not only by value but also by the annual transfer limits.
What does this imply for cardholders?
The effect will vary based on the type of card:
- Frequent travellers may experience the most significant impact from the loss of hotel partners
- Mid-tier cardholders might notice a decrease in overall reward value due to lower conversion rates
- Premium users may retain better value but will have fewer high-value redemption options
ALSO READ | HDFC Bank to cut rewards from May; link lounge access to spends from July on select credit cards
First Published: Apr 7, 2026 11:33 AM IST
