Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and economic uncertainties, the demand for international travel continues to remain strong. Whether you’re booking flights, hotels, airport transfers, or activities, having the right travel credit card can help you save significantly while earning valuable rewards.
Two of the most popular travel credit cards in India today are the Axis Horizon Credit Card and the Scapia Credit Card, issued in partnership with BOBCARD and Federal Bank. While the Scapia Credit Card is offered as a lifetime free card, the Axis Horizon Credit Card comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹3,000 + GST. However, it also offers welcome benefits and rewards that can easily offset the annual fee.
Many travelers assume that the Scapia Credit Card is the best travel credit card simply because it has features such as no annual fee, zero Forex charges, and rewards on airport spends. However, a closer comparison reveals that this isn’t always the case. In this detailed comparison, we’ll compare the two cards across rewards, travel benefits, lounge access, forex markup, and overall value to help you decide which card suits your travel needs.
Annual Charges & Welcome Benefits
The Axis Horizon Credit Card comes with a joining fee of ₹3,000 + GST, and the same amount is charged as the annual renewal fee.
In return, cardholders receive:
- 5,000 EDGE Miles as a welcome benefit
- 1,500 EDGE Miles every year upon renewal
On the other hand, the Scapia Credit Card is a lifetime free credit card, meaning there are no joining or annual charges. However, it does not offer any welcome or renewal benefits.
At first glance, Scapia appears to be the better deal because it has no fees. However, the welcome and renewal EDGE Miles offered by Axis Horizon help recover a significant part of the annual fee, making it a reasonable proposition for frequent travelers.
Rewards Rate Comparison
This is where the biggest difference between the two cards lies.
Axis Horizon rewards cardholders with EDGE Miles, which can be redeemed for flights and hotels.
- 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 spent on Axis Travel Edge and direct airline bookings.
- 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on all other eligible spends.
Since EDGE Miles can be redeemed at ₹1 per mile through Travel Edge, the effective reward rate is:
- 5% back on Travel Edge and airline bookings.
- 2% back on all other eligible spends.
Scapia rewards users with Scapia Coins, which can only be redeemed for travel bookings made through the Scapia app. Redemption Value: 5 Scapia Coins = ₹1
- 20 Scapia Coins per ₹100 spent on travel bookings through the Scapia app (effective reward rate: 4%)
- 10 Scapia Coins per ₹100 on eligible online and offline spends (effective reward rate: 2%)
| Feature | Axis Horizon Credit Card | Scapia Credit Card |
| Reward Currency | EDGE Miles | Scapia Coins |
| Travel Reward Rate | 5 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on Axis Travel Edge & direct airline bookings (5% value) | 20 Scapia Coins per ₹100 on travel bookings via Scapia app (4% value) |
| Regular Spending Reward Rate | 2 EDGE Miles per ₹100 on eligible spends (2% value) | 10 Scapia Coins per ₹100 on eligible online & offline spends (2% value) |
| Reward Redemption Value | 1 EDGE Mile = ₹1 (via Axis Travel Edge) | 5 Scapia Coins = ₹1 |
| Best For | Airline bookings & Axis Travel Edge | Travel bookings through the Scapia app |
Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounge access is another area where the Axis Horizon Credit Card has a clear advantage over the Scapia Credit Card.
The Axis Horizon Credit Card offers complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access without any spending requirement. Depending on the card variant, cardholders get 6 domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter on the Mastercard World variant or 8 domestic lounge visits per calendar quarter on the Visa Signature variant, along with 8 international lounge visits every year (2 per quarter).
The Scapia Credit Card, on the other hand, offers unlimited domestic airport lounge access, but only after meeting a monthly spending requirement of ₹20,000. It also does not offer complimentary international lounge access.
For frequent travelers, especially those who value predictable lounge access, the Axis Horizon Credit Card is the stronger option. It provides both domestic and international lounge benefits without requiring you to meet any monthly spending milestones, making it more convenient and rewarding overall.
Forex Markup Charges
One of Scapia’s biggest highlights is its 0% forex markup, making it an excellent card for international spending.
The Axis Horizon Credit Card, on the other hand, charges a 3.5% forex markup fee, making overseas transactions more expensive. However, there is one important point to remember.
While Scapia saves you on forex charges, it does not award Scapia Coins on forex transactions. This means international spending earns no rewards.
If you frequently travel abroad, a dedicated low-forex credit card that also earns rewards on international transactions like BOBCARD Etihad Premium may offer better long-term value than either of these cards.
Bottom Line
Both cards are excellent travel credit cards, but they cater to different types of users.
The Scapia Credit Card stands out because it is lifetime free, offers zero forex markup, and provides good domestic travel benefits. It is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a no-fee travel card.
The Axis Horizon Credit Card, however, delivers better value for travelers who frequently book flights directly with airlines or through Axis Travel Edge. Its higher reward rate on travel spends, along with welcome and renewal EDGE Miles, helps justify the annual fee.
If you travel often, having both cards can actually make the most sense: use Scapia for international spending and domestic lounge access, while using Axis Horizon for airline bookings to maximize rewards. This combination allows you to enjoy the strengths of both cards rather than choosing one over the other.