Axis Bank has announced a major revision to the Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card benefits effective 12 April 2026, and the biggest change is that Airtel cashback is now tied to base spends (1% category).
Earlier the card was simple:
To actually unlock the full cashback, you now need sufficient base spend.
Important implication:
To get the same ₹250 Airtel telecom cashback we used to get earlier, you now must spend ₹12,500 in the 1% category first.
Food Delivery Change, now replaced with wallet credits:
Since Airtel cashback is now tied to base spend, the card is no longer a simple utility cashback card.
So, the question for the community:
But if you were using it only for utilities + food delivery, the value proposition looks significantly weaker. (This is my personal position, hence the post and question)
(I have attached both the old and new terms and conditions of the Benefits)
Earlier the card was simple:
- 25% Airtel cashback (₹250 cap)
- 10% utilities via Airtel Thanks (₹250 cap)
- 10% Swiggy/Zomato/BigBasket cashback (₹500 cap)
Key Changes
Cashback now depends on
- Base cashback: 1% on normal spends
- 25% Airtel category cap: 2× Base Cashback
- 10% Airtel utilities cap: 1× Base Cashback
| Category | Old Cap | New Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Airtel telecom (25%) | ₹250 | 2 × Base Cashback |
| Airtel utilities (10%) | ₹250 | 1 × Base Cashback |
| Swiggy/Zomato/BB | 10% cashback | Replaced by partner wallet credits |
| Lounge access | 4 | Discontinued |
Minimum Spend vs Maximum Rewards
To actually unlock the full cashback, you now need sufficient base spend.
| Base Spend (1% category) | Base Cashback | Max Airtel Telecom Cashback (25%) | Max Airtel Utility Cashback (10%) | Total Possible Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ₹2,500 | ₹25 | ₹50 | ₹25 | ₹100 |
| ₹10,000 | ₹100 | ₹200 | ₹100 | ₹400 |
| ₹12,500 | ₹125 | ₹250 | ₹125 | ₹500 |
| ₹25,000 | ₹250 | ₹500 | ₹250 | ₹1,000 |
| ₹50,000 | ₹500 | ₹1,000 | ₹500 | ₹2,000 |
Important implication:To get the same ₹250 Airtel telecom cashback we used to get earlier, you now must spend ₹12,500 in the 1% category first.
Food Delivery Change, now replaced with wallet credits:
| Platform | New Benefit |
|---|---|
| Zomato | 10% value back (₹200/month cap) |
| Blinkit | 10% value back (₹200/month cap) |
| District Movies | 10% value back (₹200/month cap) |
The Real Question Now
Since Airtel cashback is now tied to base spend, the card is no longer a simple utility cashback card.
So, the question for the community:
For Utilities
Should we still use:- Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card
OR switch to some other card or payment method
For Food Delivery
Now that cashback became wallet credit and minimum order value of Rs 499, is it better to use:- HDFC Bank Swiggy Credit Card
My Initial Take
The card still works if you already have high base spend (₹20K+ per month).But if you were using it only for utilities + food delivery, the value proposition looks significantly weaker. (This is my personal position, hence the post and question)
(I have attached both the old and new terms and conditions of the Benefits)
