Axis Bank Launches Scapia Credit Card: A New Travel Card for Millennials

Axis Bank has launched the Scapia Axis Credit Card, adding a new travel-focused credit card to its portfolio. The card is designed for customers who enjoy travelling and want to earn rewards while spending on travel and other eligible purchases.

The Scapia Axis Credit Card keeps several of the popular features associated with the Scapia brand, including zero forex markup, travel rewards, Scapia Coins and domestic airport lounge access. The Axis Bank version will be available on the Mastercard and RuPay networks.

Scapia Axis Credit Card: Key Highlights

The Scapia Axis Credit Card is aimed mainly at frequent travellers, young professionals and customers looking for a travel credit card with no annual fee.

Here are the main benefits:

• Zero joining fee
• Zero annual fee
• 10% rewards on eligible Mastercard spends of ₹20 or more
• 5% rewards on eligible RuPay spends above ₹500
• Up to 20% rewards on eligible travel bookings through the Scapia App
• Zero forex markup on eligible international transactions
• Unlimited domestic airport lounge access after meeting the ₹20,000 billing-cycle spending requirement
• Rewards are converted into Scapia Coins
• Scapia Coins can be redeemed for eligible travel services through the Scapia platform

Scapia Axis Credit Card Reward Points

One of the key attractions of the Scapia Axis Credit Card is its reward programme. The reward rate depends on whether you have the Mastercard or RuPay variant.

• The Scapia Axis Mastercard Credit Card currently offers 10% rewards on eligible purchases of ₹20 or more. Purchases of less than ₹20 are not eligible for any rewards.
• The RuPay version currently offers 5% rewards on eligible spends above ₹500.
• For travel bookings made through the Scapia App, eligible customers can get an enhanced 20% reward rate.

How the 10% Scapia Reward Works

The 10% reward benefit on the Mastercard variant can be understood with a simple example.

Suppose you make ₹10,000 of eligible purchases using the Scapia Axis Mastercard Credit Card. At a 10% reward rate, you could earn rewards equivalent to ₹1,000, subject to the applicable terms and exclusions.

These rewards are converted into Scapia Coins on the statement date. The current conversion ratio is 1 Reward = 1 Scapia Coin.

For an eligible ₹10,000 travel booking through the Scapia App, a 20% reward rate could provide rewards equivalent to ₹2,000 in Scapia Coins, subject to the applicable conditions.

This makes the card particularly attractive for customers who regularly book travel through the Scapia platform.

Where Can You Use Scapia Coins?

Scapia Coins are part of the Scapia loyalty programme. Instead of simply collecting conventional credit card reward points, customers can use the coins through the Scapia platform for eligible travel-related services.

Depending on the available options, Scapia Coins can be used for:

• Flight bookings
• Hotel stays
• Bus bookings
• Train bookings
• Visa-related services
• Other services available through the Scapia App

This travel-focused redemption structure can be useful for customers who prefer using their credit card rewards for future trips.

Transactions That Do Not Earn Scapia Rewards

Not every transaction qualifies for rewards on the Scapia Axis Credit Card. Several spending categories are excluded under the current terms.

These include:

• Rent payments
• Fuel transactions
• Cash withdrawals
• EMI transactions
• Forex transactions
• Education fees
• Gift cards
• Credit card repayments
• Cryptocurrency transactions
• Insurance payments
• Utility payments
• Telecom and cable payments
• Wallet loading

For example, if you use the card to pay ₹20,000 rent, you should not expect the same reward benefit as an eligible retail purchase.

Therefore, customers should check the latest reward terms before making large payments with the card.

Unlimited Domestic Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounge access is another important feature of the Scapia Axis Credit Card.

Eligible cardholders can unlock unlimited domestic airport lounge access after spending ₹20,000 in a billing cycle. The cardholder must also remain active each month to continue receiving the complimentary lounge benefit.

Eligible customers can generate a lounge QR code through the Scapia App. The boarding pass is used for validation at participating airport lounges.

Example: How the Lounge Benefit Can Help

Suppose you frequently travel between Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru or Hyderabad for work.

If your eligible spending on the Scapia Axis Credit Card reaches ₹20,000 during the billing cycle, you can unlock the applicable unlimited domestic lounge benefit. This can be useful if you travel multiple times during the month.

However, lounge access is subject to participating lounges, availability and the applicable terms and conditions.

Zero Forex Markup on International Transactions

The zero forex markup benefit is one of the strongest features of the Scapia Axis Credit Card for international travellers.

When you use a credit card abroad, a forex markup can increase the effective cost of your foreign-currency transactions. With zero forex markup, eligible international purchases do not attract a forex markup.

For example, imagine you spend the equivalent of ₹50,000 during a trip to Dubai, Singapore or Thailand. A card that charges a forex markup could add an extra cost to your international transactions.

With the Scapia Axis Credit Card's zero forex markup feature, eligible transactions can be made without this additional markup, subject to the card's terms.

This makes the card more useful for Indians who travel internationally or frequently make eligible foreign-currency purchases.

Scapia Axis Credit Card Fees and Benefits

Benefits, eligibility and exclusions are subject to the latest terms and conditions.

Why the Scapia Axis Credit Card Could Be Popular in India

Travel spending among young Indian customers has increased, from domestic weekend trips to international holidays. As a result, many customers are looking for credit cards that offer travel rewards without high annual fees.

The Scapia Axis Credit Card targets this segment with a simple proposition: earn rewards on eligible spending, get travel-focused benefits and avoid forex markup on eligible international transactions.

The zero annual fee can also make the card attractive to customers who do not want to maintain an expensive premium credit card.

Axis Bank Partnership Could Expand Scapia's Reach

The partnership with Axis Bank could be an important step for Scapia. Axis Bank has a large customer base and a strong presence in India's banking and credit card market.

With Axis Bank joining Scapia's issuer partnerships, more customers could potentially discover the card. At the same time, Scapia brings its travel-focused rewards ecosystem to another major banking partner.

The Axis version also introduces Mastercard and RuPay network options, giving customers different payment network choices.

Is Scapia Axis Credit Card Worth Considering?

The Scapia Axis Credit Card can be a good option for frequent travellers who want a zero annual fee travel credit card.

It is particularly worth considering if you:

• Travel frequently within India.
• Make international purchases.
• Want zero forex markup.
• Regularly book flights or hotels.
• Use the Scapia App for travel bookings.
• Can meet the ₹20,000 billing-cycle spending requirement for lounge access.
• Prefer a credit card without joining or annual fees.

However, occasional travellers should compare the card with other travel credit cards before applying. The reward exclusions and lounge access spending requirement are important factors to consider.

Final Verdict

The Axis Bank Scapia Credit Card brings a familiar travel-focused Scapia proposition to another major banking partner in India.

The card offers zero joining fee, zero annual fee, zero forex markup, travel rewards, Scapia Coins and domestic airport lounge access after meeting the applicable spending requirement.

The 10% rewards on eligible Mastercard spends and up to 20% rewards on eligible travel bookings through the Scapia App can make the card attractive to frequent travellers. The RuPay variant currently offers 5% rewards on eligible spends above ₹500.

For Indian millennials, young professionals and frequent travellers, the Scapia Axis Credit Card could be an interesting option if its benefits match their spending habits.

With Axis Bank's wider reach, the partnership could also help Scapia attract more customers and strengthen its position in India's growing travel credit card market.