Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card Review: 25% Cashback Reality?

The "Must-Have" Utility Card

The Airtel Axis Bank Credit Card is arguably the most undervalued card in India for a specific user: The Airtel Subscriber.

For a fee of ₹500 + GST, it offers cashback rates that no super-premium card can match (not even Infinia).

Benefit 1: 25% Cashback (The Headline)

You get 25% Cashback on Airtel Mobile, Broadband, WiFi, and DTH bill payments.

• Condition: Must pay via the Airtel Thanks App.
• Cap: ₹250 per month.

The Math: To max out this benefit, you need to spend ₹1,000 on Airtel bills per month. You get ₹250 back. That is ₹3,000 savings per year just on this benefit.

Benefit 2: 10% on Utilities (Electricity/Gas)

You get 10% Cashback on other utility bill payments (Electricity, Water, Gas, etc.).

• Condition: Must pay via Airtel Thanks App.
• Cap: ₹250 per month.

The Math: Spend ₹2,500 on electricity/gas, and get ₹250 back. That's another ₹3,000 savings per year.

Benefit 3: 10% on Food Delivery (BigBasket/Swiggy/Zomato)

This is the sleeper hit feature. You get 10% Cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and BigBasket.

• Cap: ₹500 per month (Combined).

The Math: Spend ₹5,000 on food delivery/groceries, and get ₹500 back. That is ₹6,000 savings per year.

Total Annual Savings Calculation

Category	Monthly Spend	Cashback	Annual Savings
Airtel Bills	₹1,000	₹250	₹3,000
Utilities	₹2,500	₹250	₹3,000
Food/Grocery	₹5,000	₹500	₹6,000
Total	₹8,500	₹1,000	₹12,000

Net Value: ₹12,000 Savings - ₹500 Fee = ₹11,500 Profit.

The Drawbacks

1. Caps are Tight: If your electricity bill is ₹10,000, you still only get ₹250. This card is for modest spenders.
2. Airtel Ecosystem Lock-in: You must use the Airtel Thanks App.
3. Exclusions: No cashback on fuel, EMI, or rent.

Verdict: Should You Apply?

YES, if:
1. You have an Airtel SIM or Broadband connection.
2. You order food (Swiggy/Zomato) at least 4-5 times a month.
3. You want a low-fee (₹500) card with high utility returns.

NO, if:
1. You are a Jio/Vi user (Benefit 1 is useless for you).
2. You have huge utility bills (get Ace or Tata Neu for higher caps).