Axis Magnus Burgundy vs HDFC Infinia: Which Super-Premium Card Wins?
Axis Magnus Burgundy vs HDFC Infinia Metal
Two of India’s top super-premium travel cards, compared on the numbers that matter. Data verified as of April 2026.
Both cards cater to HNI professionals spending ₹10L+ a year on travel and shopping. Where they diverge: Infinia is invitation-preferred but openly available; Magnus Burgundy is relationship-gated (only for Axis Burgundy clients). The 2024-26 rule changes on both have meaningfully shifted value.
Snapshot comparison
| Attribute | Magnus for Burgundy | HDFC Infinia Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee (incl GST) | ₹35,400 | ₹14,750 |
| Fee waiver | ₹30L annual spend | ₹10L annual spend |
| Issuance | Axis Burgundy clients only | Invitation-preferred; public apply open |
| Base earn | 12 EDGE per ₹200 (6% headline) | 5 RP per ₹150 (3.3% headline) |
| Travel accelerator | Up to 24% via Travel EDGE + transfer | 10× SmartBuy (capped 15K pts/cycle) |
| Forex markup | 2% | 2% |
| Domestic lounges | Unlimited + unlimited guests | Unlimited, 2 guest/year free |
| International lounges | Unlimited | Unlimited Priority Pass |
| Golf | Partner courses | Unlimited at 40+ courses |
| Meet & greet | 4/year (Burgundy retained) | Not included |
| Welcome benefit | 10,000 EDGE pts + flight voucher | Taj Stay voucher ₹12,500 |
| Recent change | Apr 2026: Marriott/Accor/Qatar removed; BA, Vietnam, Finnair added | Apr 2026: ₹18L spend OR ₹50L AUM retention rule |
Where Magnus Burgundy wins
- Peak travel redemption value. Burgundy’s 5:4 transfer ratio to Group A airlines (Singapore KrisFlyer, Etihad, British Airways Avios post-Apr-2026) unlocks 20-24% effective value on premium-cabin long-haul. No other Indian card delivers this.
- Airport meet-and-greet retained. 4 complimentary services/year — removed from plain Magnus in 2024, kept only on Burgundy.
- Unlimited guest lounge access. No per-year guest cap.
- Higher transfer ceiling. 8 lakh EDGE pts/year to Group B partners (vs lower caps on peer cards).
Where Infinia wins
- Fee is less than half. ₹14,750 vs ₹35,400 — saves ₹20K+/year straight.
- Not relationship-gated. Public applicants can apply directly without needing ₹10L AQB or ₹1Cr TRV. Burgundy gate is a meaningful friction.
- Unlimited golf at 40+ courses. Magnus Burgundy’s golf benefit is narrower.
- Welcome Taj voucher ₹12,500. Real voucher value vs Burgundy’s flight voucher (up to ₹10K).
- SmartBuy 10× is simpler to use. Book flights, earn 10×, redeem for ₹1/pt — no complex airline transfer math needed.
2026 rule changes — pay attention
HDFC Infinia: From April 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027, existing Infinia holders must spend ₹18L annually OR maintain ₹50L+ AUM with HDFC to retain benefits. Below either threshold, holders face downgrade in 2027. SmartBuy Gyftr voucher earning also reduced from 5× to 3× in Jan 2026, and redemption capped at 50K pts/month from Feb 2026.
Magnus Burgundy: April 2026 transfer-partner refresh — removed Accor, Marriott Bonvoy, Qatar Airways from the list; added British Airways, Vietnam Airlines, Finnair. Group A cap remains 2L EDGE pts/year, Group B 8L.
Data verified against paisabazaar.com, axisbank.com, hdfcbank.com, cardexpert.in and BusinessToday reporting as of April 2026. Always confirm current terms with the issuer before applying.