The verdict
A powerful travel card for frequent flyers to Europe and North America on Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian Airlines). The 5,000 welcome miles and 3,000 annual renewal miles offset the ₹3,500 fee, while preventing all accumulated Miles & More miles from expiring.
Spending ₹4 Lakhs annually waives the ₹3,500 fee, unlocks 3,000 renewal miles, and earns 8,000 miles on retail spends (total 11,000 miles worth ₹11,000–₹16,500 in European flights) + 8 domestic lounges.
For domestic travelers who fly primarily IndiGo or Air India Express within India, domestic cashback cards offer more straightforward redemption.
✓What works
- +4 Miles & More award miles per ₹200 on all eligible retail spends (2.0% to 4.0% flight redemption yield).
- +20 Miles & More award miles per ₹200 on Lufthansa flight ticket bookings (10% return).
- +Protection against mileage expiration: Miles & More miles never expire as long as you hold this active card.
- +5,000 welcome award miles upon card activation and 3,000 renewal miles every year.
- +8 complimentary domestic airport lounges per year (2 per quarter).
✕What doesn't
- −Annual fee of ₹3,500 + GST.
- −Fee waiver spend requirement of ₹4,00,000.
- −Standard 3.5% + GST forex markup on international foreign currency spending.
What it earns
Miles & More award miles can be redeemed for flight tickets across 26 Star Alliance member airlines.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Flight Ticket Bookings | 10.0% (20 Miles / ₹200) | Uncapped | 10,000 Miles (₹10,000–₹15,000 flight value) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 2.0%–4.0% (4 Miles / ₹200) | Uncapped | 2,000 Miles (₹2,000–₹3,000 flight value) |
| Fuel & Rent | 0% | Excluded | 0 Miles |
Accelerated earn
20 Miles on Lufthansa & Non-Expiring Star Alliance Miles
Earn direct Star Alliance miles with zero point transfer loss.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Flights20 Miles per ₹200 spent on lufthansa.com. | 5× · 10.0% | Uncapped | — |
| General Retail4 Miles per ₹200 spent. | Base · 2.0%–4.0% | Uncapped | — |
Redemption options
Redeem directly on miles-and-more.com for Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and Star Alliance flights.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Star Alliance Award Flight TicketsBEST VALUE | ₹1.00–₹1.50 / Mile | 7,500 miles | None | Nil |
| Flight Upgrades (Economy to Business) | ₹1.20–₹2.00 / Mile | 10,000 miles | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +8 complimentary domestic airport lounges per year (2 per quarter).
- +Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, and Star Alliance award flights.
- +Non-expiring Miles & More balance.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Rent payments.
- −Fuel transactions (1% surcharge waiver on ₹400–₹4,000).
- −Wallet load transactions.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹3,500 + GST (5,000 Miles & More welcome award miles) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹3,500 + GST (Waived at ₹4,00,000 spend; 3,000 renewal miles) |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% + GST |
| Finance Charges | 3.6% / month (43.2% / year) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 21–65 years |
| Salaried Income | ₹50,000+ monthly net salary |
| Self-Employed Income | ITR above ₹6.0 Lakhs per annum |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card?
Who is Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card
The Miles and More Axis Bank Credit Card is a dedicated co-branded frequent flyer credit card issued in partnership with Lufthansa and the Star Alliance network. Engineered for international business travelers, corporate jet-setters, and frequent flyers on European routes, the card is issued at an annual fee of ₹3,500 + GST. The renewal fee is completely waived upon spending ₹4,00,000 or more in eligible retail transactions during the card anniversary year, accompanied by 3,000 annual renewal miles.
The card serves as India’s premier gateway to the Lufthansa Miles & More ecosystem: cardholders receive up to 5,000 welcome award miles upon card activation, earn accelerated miles on international spending and airline ticket bookings, access 8 domestic airport lounges per year, and enjoy extended validity on their accumulated Lufthansa award miles.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Substantial Welcome & Renewal Miles:
- Earn up to 5,000 welcome award miles upon making the first transaction within 30 days of card issuance.
- Earn 3,000 bonus award miles on every annual renewal upon fee payment.
- Accelerated Global Travel Mileage Accrual:
- Earn 8 Miles & More award miles per ₹200 spent on international transactions and direct flight bookings on Star Alliance carriers (Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian).
- Earn 4 Miles & More award miles per ₹200 on all general domestic retail spending.
- No Mileage Expiry Privilege: Accumulated award miles do not expire as long as the cardholder makes at least one miles-earning transaction per month, eliminating the standard 36-month Miles & More expiration rule.
- Domestic Airport Lounge Access: 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar quarter (8 visits/year) across major airport terminals in India (subject to the standard ₹50,000 spend in the preceding 3 calendar months).
- Comprehensive Travel Insurance: Comprehensive air accident insurance cover up to ₹1 Crore, lost baggage cover, and emergency medical assistance abroad.
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- Annual Fee Waiver Spend Benchmark: Waiving the ₹3,500 annual renewal fee requires crossing ₹4,00,000 in eligible retail transactions during the card anniversary year.
- Quarterly Lounge Access Spend Gate: Domestic lounge access requires spending at least ₹50,000 in the preceding 3 calendar months.
- Miles Redemption Sweet Spots: Miles & More miles are best redeemed for European and transatlantic flights on Lufthansa Group carriers; redemption for domestic Indian partner flights may carry higher fuel surcharges.
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel purchases, rent payments, wallet reloads, cash advances, utilities, and government services do not earn award miles or count toward fee waiver thresholds.
- Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) Fee: A 1.0% + GST markup applies on foreign transactions processed in INR by overseas merchants.
Who Benefits Most
- European & Transatlantic Travelers: Corporate executives and frequent travelers who regularly fly Lufthansa, Swiss, Austrian, or United Airlines to Europe and North America.
- Star Alliance Loyalty Members: Cardholders building Miles & More mileage balances for business-class award seat redemptions and flight upgrades.
- High-Spenders Reaching ₹4 Lakhs Annually: Cardholders who can easily waive the annual fee and maintain active, non-expiring miles balances.
- Axis Bank — Miles & More Credit Card schedule of charges
- Lufthansa Miles & More & Axis Bank — Award miles and Star Alliance redemption terms
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).