Quick Verdict

  • The Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ wins for travel and domestic lounge access with a high 5% return on travel spend and four complimentary domestic lounges per year.
  • The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ is better for everyday spends in online shopping and utilities categories, offering 5% rewards there.
  • Both cards have no joining or annual fees, making them equally cheap to hold.
  • Pick the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ if you prioritize travel rewards and occasional lounge access; choose the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ if your spending is mostly on online shopping and utilities.

Side by Side

DetailIxigo AU Credit Card ⓘAxis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ
Annual feeNil (lifetime free)Nil (lifetime free)
Joining feeNil (lifetime free)Nil (lifetime free)
Fee waiver on spendRs 1.00 lakh annually (Rs 8,333 monthly)Not applicable
Reward rate0.5% base, 5% on travel, 1% on UPI0.2% base, 5% on online and utilities
Reward typePointsPoints
Domestic lounge4 per year (Rs 30,000 quarterly spend gate)None
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited forTravel, UPI, LoungeFirst card, Shopping, Cashback, Dining

Rewards Compared

On a base spend of Rs 10,000, the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ earns Rs 50 back, which is more than double the Rs 20 earned by the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ at its base rate. However, category rewards differ significantly. Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ offers a lucrative 5% return (Rs 500) on travel spending and 1% (Rs 100) on UPI transactions, making it highly rewarding for frequent travelers and digital payments users. Meanwhile, Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ offers 5% returns (Rs 500) on online shopping and utility bill payments, which suits users focusing on these expense categories.

Thus, while Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ is superior for travel and UPI spends, Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ shines in online and utility payments. The rest of the spends earn a modest 0.5% for Ixigo and 0.2% for Axis Neo, favoring the former slightly in overall returns.

Fees Compared

Both cards come with no joining or annual fees, making them free to hold without any mandatory charges. The Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ does have an annual fee waiver threshold of Rs 1.00 lakh, which translates to Rs 8,333 per month. However, since the fee is NIL anyway, this waiver threshold is more a usage requirement for maintaining benefits like lounge access rather than a fee waiver condition. The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ charges no fees and has no waiver spend requirement.

Hence, from a fees perspective, both cards are equally attractive with no cost to keep them.

Which One Should You Pick

The Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ suits travelers who spend on flights, hotels, and UPI payments. Its 5% travel rewards and domestic lounge access with a quarterly spend gate of Rs 30,000 make it a good companion for regular travelers who want to save on travel costs and relax in lounges. However, it is less suited for those who do not travel or who do not meet the quarterly lounge spend gate.

The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ is ideal for first-time credit card users and those whose spending is concentrated on online shopping, utility bills, and dining. The 5% cashback on online and utility spends and the welcome cashback make it appealing for everyday use. It lacks lounge benefits, so it is not for travelers.

In conclusion, pick the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ if your priority is travel rewards and lounges; pick Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ if your focus is on online shopping and utility bill payments. Those who do not travel or pay utility bills regularly should skip Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ and those who want lounge access should skip Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Verify the quarterly Rs 30,000 spend gate for domestic lounge access on the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ.
  • Understand the redemption process and value of points for each card, especially for non-category spends.
  • Calculate if you can comfortably meet the Rs 1.00 lakh annual spending threshold on the Ixigo card to maximize benefits.
  • Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency spends, which is standard but costly for overseas transactions.
  • Check the availability and number of lounges accessible with the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ as they are limited to four per year.

FAQ

What is the annual fee for both cards?+
Both the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ and the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ have no joining or annual fees, making them free to hold.
Are there any fee waiver conditions to be aware of?+
The Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ mentions a Rs 1.00 lakh annual spend threshold linked to fee waiver, but since the fee is NIL, this mainly relates to lounge access eligibility. The Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ has no fee waiver conditions.
Which card offers better rewards on travel spending?+
The Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ offers a strong 5% reward rate on travel spend, whereas the Axis Bank Neo Credit Card ⓘ does not provide elevated rewards for travel.
Do these cards offer domestic or international lounge access?+
Only the Ixigo AU Credit Card ⓘ provides domestic lounge access, limited to four visits per year with a quarterly spend gate. Neither card offers international lounge access.
What is the forex markup on these cards for foreign currency transactions?+
Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency spends, which is standard but relatively high, so they are not ideal for heavy international use.