This Article was fact checked and last updated for accuracy on June 22, 2025 by Mani Karthik

Bottom line: If you want serious air miles, it’s still HDFC Infinia/DCB or Axis Atlas. Everything else is either too niche or too expensive for what you get.

Let me save you from the marketing noise and give you the real deal on air miles cards.

The Air Miles Kings

HDFC Infinia Credit Card

Annual Fee: ₹12,500
Air Miles Strategy: 19 transfer partners, 1:1 for most premium airlines
Reality Check: Still invite-only. Good luck getting one.

Transfer Partners That Actually Matter:

  • Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer (1:1 via old system)
  • British Airways Avios (2:1 ratio – ouch)
  • Etihad Guest (2:1)
  • United MileagePlus (2:1)
  • Air Canada Aeroplan (2:1)

My take: HDFC added 14 new transfer partners in 2023, bringing the total to 19. But here’s the kicker – they halved the conversion rates for Turkish Airlines, Avianca, and Accor in January 2024. Classic move.

HDFC Diners Club Black Credit Card

Annual Fee: ₹10,000
Air Miles Strategy: Same 19 partners as Infinia
Reality Check: Almost identical to Infinia but at lower fee

What you get:

  • Same transfer ratios as Infinia
  • 1:1 redemption for travel bookings through SmartBuy
  • Miles transfer program with 14+ partners

The catch: Diners Club acceptance isn’t universal. Some merchants still act like it’s 1995.

The Smart Alternative

Axis Bank Atlas Credit Card

Annual Fee: ₹5,000
Air Miles Strategy: EDGE Miles transferable to 20+ partners
Reality Check: Hot pick for 2024 & 2025 despite recent devaluation

Why it works:

  • 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on travel bookings
  • 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on other categories
  • Transfer at 1:2 ratio to airline partners

Pro tip: This is your best bet if you can’t get HDFC premium cards.

Axis Magnus for Burgundy

Annual Fee: ₹12,000
Air Miles Strategy: 5:4 conversion ratio to 15+ partners
Reality Check: Only for Burgundy customers, but worth it

The math: Base rate translates to 4.8% value-back on travel, reaching 14% for high spenders. That’s serious money.

The Co-Branded Options

Air India SBI Signature Credit Card

Annual Fee: ₹4,999
Air Miles Strategy: Direct Air India miles
Reality Check: Only makes sense if you’re loyal to Air India

What you get:

  • Up to 15 RP per ₹100 spent on Air India bookings
  • Direct miles to Air India program
  • 1 lakh reward points as annual milestone benefit convertible to Air India miles at 1:1

My honest opinion: Air India is improving post-merger, but this card is still too limiting.

IndiGo 6E Rewards Credit Cards

Annual Fee: ₹2,500-₹5,000
Air Miles Strategy: 6E rewards for IndiGo bookings
Reality Check: Great if you’re an IndiGo frequent flyer

The deal:

  • 6% reward rate on IndiGo spends
  • Free IndiGo ticket worth ₹3,000 as welcome benefit
  • Accelerated rewards on dining and groceries

The Devaluation Reality Check

Here’s what nobody tells you: HDFC devalued three major transfer partners without warning in January 2024. Turkish Airlines, Avianca, and Accor went from 1:1 to 2:1 overnight.

Translation: Your points became worth half for these partners.

This is the air miles game. Rules change faster than flight schedules.

Transfer Partner Comparison

HDFC Infinia/DCB (19 partners):

  • Singapore Airlines: 1:1 (legacy system)
  • British Airways: 2:1
  • Etihad: 2:1
  • United: 2:1
  • Air India: 2:1 (recently added)

Axis Atlas/Magnus:

  • 20+ partners at various ratios
  • Generally better value for Star Alliance

The winner: Depends on your preferred airlines.

My Honest Strategy

  1. Get HDFC Infinia if invited – It’s still the king
  2. Settle for DCB if you can’t get Infinia – 90% of the benefits at lower cost
  3. Go with Axis Atlas for flexibility – Best general-purpose air miles card
  4. Avoid co-branded cards unless you’re 100% loyal to that airline

The Fine Print Nobody Mentions

  • Transfer minimums: Usually 1,000-2,500 points
  • Transfer time: 24 hours for new partners, 2-3 days for legacy partners
  • Expiry protection: Transferred miles follow partner program rules
  • Hidden costs: Some programs charge for award redemptions

Real-World Example

Let’s say you spend ₹2 lakh monthly:

HDFC Infinia:

  • Earn: 6,666 points
  • Transfer to BA: 3,333 Avios (2:1 ratio)
  • Value: ₹3,333 (assuming 1 paisa per Avios)

Axis Atlas:

  • Earn: 4,000 EDGE Miles
  • Transfer to BA: 8,000 Avios (1:2 ratio)
  • Value: ₹8,000

Winner: Axis Atlas for this scenario.

The Brutal Truth

Most people obsess over air miles but never optimize redemptions. You could earn 100k miles and still overpay for flights because you don’t understand award charts.

My advice: Pick one ecosystem (HDFC or Axis), master it completely, then expand.

2025 Predictions

  • More devaluations incoming (especially HDFC)
  • Co-branded cards will get more attractive
  • Air India will become a major player post-Vistara merger
  • Transfer ratios will get worse across the board

Final Word

Air miles are a tool, not a goal. The best card is the one that gets you to your destination cheaply. Sometimes that’s a basic cashback card buying discounted tickets.

Don’t let the miles game fool you into unnecessary complexity. Start simple, scale smart.

Disclaimer: All information as of June 2025. Credit card terms change faster than Delhi weather.

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