Whats the minimum spend for Atlas to make sense?

[joell]

i don't have a relationship with Axis at the moment but I was looking for a travel credit card. info: 21yo student. Flights 4-5 times a qtr are usually booked through Smartbuy. I've cards with HDFC, IndusInd, Kotak, Federal and ICICI at the moment. Also have HDFC Preferred, Indusind Exclusive and Indie. So in total, I've around 8 domestic lounge access per qtr already. So lounge access isn't needed for me. My dad pays for my education expenses so I won't even hit the 7.5L Gold Tier milestone. I went to the branch and talked to the RM and he said Atlas would be the best for me but I beg to differ. Any thoughts?

 

[nrj1007]

If you are using HDFC smartbuy already and won't hit Atlas milestones then no need.

 

[Aravind P]

The sweet spot for Atlas is 7.5 L spends. Then the renewal is worth it.

 

[Itsoldsport]

I think Atlas does make sense even if you hit 3L Milestone.

INR 3,00,000 spends even on Non-Travel Spends = 6,000 Edge Miles (2EM/100) + Milestone Bonus (2500EM) = 8500 Edge Miles.

That converts to INR 17,000 (1:2) Worth of points at Hotels like ITC and For Accor, 17,000 x 1.8 = INR 30,600 Worth.

Even if you pay the Annual Fees at INR 5900 (GST Inclusive), that is a Profit of 30,600 - 5900 = INR 24,700 for hitting the 3L Milestone in the worst case.

And I would advise using it only for hotels as airline pricing is not very profitable from what I have heard, I have not used on Airlines yet.

Correct me if I am wrong.

 

[AlgoTrader]

I think Atlas does make sense even if you hit 3L Milestone.

INR 3,00,000 spends even on Non-Travel Spends = 6,000 Edge Miles (2EM/100) + Milestone Bonus (2500EM) = 8500 Edge Miles.

That converts to INR 17,000 (1:2) Worth of points at Hotels like ITC and For Accor, 17,000 x 1.8 = INR 30,600 Worth.

Even if you pay the Annual Fees at INR 5900 (GST Inclusive), that is a Profit of 30,600 - 5900 = INR 24,700 for hitting the 3L Milestone in the worst case.

And I would advise using it only for hotels as airline pricing is not very profitable from what I have heard, I have not used on Airlines yet.

Correct me if I am wrong.

thx for detailed response

 

[kaykayporty]

I think Atlas does make sense even if you hit 3L Milestone.

INR 3,00,000 spends even on Non-Travel Spends = 6,000 Edge Miles (2EM/100) + Milestone Bonus (2500EM) = 8500 Edge Miles.

That converts to INR 17,000 (1:2) Worth of points at Hotels like ITC and For Accor, 17,000 x 1.8 = INR 30,600 Worth.

Even if you pay the Annual Fees at INR 5900 (GST Inclusive), that is a Profit of 30,600 - 5900 = INR 24,700 for hitting the 3L Milestone in the worst case.

And I would advise using it only for hotels as airline pricing is not very profitable from what I have heard, I have not used on Airlines yet.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you for being the voice of reason. This is what needs to be said more.

Everyone keeps spreading misinformation that it is pointless below 7.5 lakhs in a year.

 

[Itsoldsport]

Thank you for being the voice of reason. This is what needs to be said more.

Everyone keeps spreading misinformation that it is pointless below 7.5 lakhs in a year.

True. Even if you are not hitting the 3L milestone, you can still recover fees and be profitable with this card with 1.5-2L spends, especially with Accor Redemption. I mean, even if you travel once a year, staying in Accor or any partner hotel would recover the fees.

Anyone using a Credit card with this kind of fee must be spending at least 1-2 nights a year in any hotel or travel, even a student. That is enough to recover the fees. Keeping aside all issues with Axis, this card definitely makes a lot of sense.

 

[kaykayporty]

True. Even if you are not hitting the 3L milestone, you can still recover fees and be profitable with this card with 1.5-2L spends, especially with Accor Redemption. I mean, even if you travel once a year, staying in Accor or any partner hotel would recover the fees.

Anyone using a Credit card with this kind of fee must be spending at least 1-2 nights a year in any hotel or travel, even a student. That is enough to recover the fees. Keeping aside all issues with Axis, this card definitely makes a lot of sense.

I think if you're considering Atlas or Plat Travel, you've graduated from cashback cards and have money to travel already. The points are just a bonus to discount your stay.

People apply for Atlas/Plat Travel are probably spending minimum 5 lakhs a year on credit cards.

---

My Atlas just got approved today. I'm hoping that I don't run into issues with them. It won't be my beloved Amex but I'm hoping it's not going to be annoying to deal with because if it is, I'm gonna fully commit to Amex.

 

[nrj1007]

Thank you for being the voice of reason. This is what needs to be said more.

Everyone keeps spreading misinformation that it is pointless below 7.5 lakhs in a year.

We say that because it's not worth the hassle to pay 5900 real fee to get points which has very limited usecases. Travel card make sense when you have enough points to cover significant part of your holiday spends. If you can cover only 10-20% of it, it's not worth limiting your self to Accor/ITC or any other Hotel/Airline brand.

It's better to get SBI cashback or any other good cashback card instead in such cases.

 

[Itsoldsport]

We say that because it's not worth the hassle to pay 5900 real fee to get points which has very limited usecases. Travel card make sense when you have enough points to cover significant part of your holiday spends. If you can cover only 10-20% of it, it's not worth limiting your self to Accor/ITC or any other Hotel/Airline brand.

It's better to get SBI cashback or any other good cashback card instead in such cases.

SBI Cashback will only provide cashback on online spending. Any cashback card returns are around 2% max. I do use SBI Cashback and APAY for online but for all my offline spending, Nothing beats Atlas for me, 4% flat Points and I don't travel a lot, but whenever I do, I end up using the points and it saves more than I pay for in fees even if it's a 20-30% of total travel spends it's more savings against the fees.

Just my opinion might differ for everyone and as I said even if you travel once or spend 1 night in a hotel in a year, that is enough to recover the fees. Rest is just a bonus.

 

[nrj1007]

SBI Cashback will only provide cashback on online spending. Any cashback card returns are around 2% max. I do use SBI Cashback and APAY for online but for all my offline spending, Nothing beats Atlas for me, 4% flat Points and I don't travel a lot, but whenever I do, I end up using the points and it saves more than I pay for in fees even if it's a 20-30% of total travel spends it's more savings against the fees.

Just my opinion might differ for everyone and as I said even if you travel once or spend 1 night in a hotel in a year, that is enough to recover the fees. Rest is just a bonus.

How much do you spend on Atlas?

 

[Itsoldsport]

How much do you spend on Atlas?

Last year was my first year with Atlas, Also received a joining bonus before it got devalued and I had spends of 4.5L. Got renewed 2 months ago with 1.8L spent so far.

 

[kaykayporty]

We say that because it's not worth the hassle to pay 5900 real fee to get points which has very limited usecases. Travel card make sense when you have enough points to cover significant part of your holiday spends. If you can cover only 10-20% of it, it's not worth limiting your self to Accor/ITC or any other Hotel/Airline brand.

It's better to get SBI cashback or any other good cashback card instead in such cases.

That's not true at all. You're assuming that Rs. 30000 is 20% of hotel stay cost. That means you're assuming that hotel cost will be 1.5 lakhs.

I just looked at dates for an Ibis in Hong Kong that's going to 12000 for a night during peak season. It comes to 60000 for 5 days.

I'm going to try and discount my budget travel. That's 50% of my hotel stay cost.

Amex could cover my flights.

Or vice versa - I already have Amex points that I can use for Marriot and use my Atlas for flights.

Remember, Atlas has a yearly limit of 30K points to Accor (group 1)

 

[praveensudhakaran]

I think Atlas does make sense even if you hit 3L Milestone.

INR 3,00,000 spends even on Non-Travel Spends = 6,000 Edge Miles (2EM/100) + Milestone Bonus (2500EM) = 8500 Edge Miles.

That converts to INR 17,000 (1:2) Worth of points at Hotels like ITC and For Accor, 17,000 x 1.8 = INR 30,600 Worth.

Even if you pay the Annual Fees at INR 5900 (GST Inclusive), that is a Profit of 30,600 - 5900 = INR 24,700 for hitting the 3L Milestone in the worst case.

And I would advise using it only for hotels as airline pricing is not very profitable from what I have heard, I have not used on Airlines yet.

Correct me if I am wrong.

Atlas 3L milestone is devalued, right?

No miles for 3L

 

[kumars_001]

Atlas 3L milestone is devalued, right?

No miles for 3L

I see this on my app

 

[nrj1007]

Last year was my first year with Atlas, Also received a joining bonus before it got devalued and I had spends of 4.5L. Got renewed 2 months ago with 1.8L spent so far.

I was talking about those who will spend 3 lakh only.

And my opinion may differ but if I am using less than 50% of total cost with points, I won't prefer to restrict myself to Accor in that case. I would rather pay in full and choose another property that fits. And for those with 3 lakhs spends, Ibis would be the only option that will fit and I have had worst experience with Ibis in Krabi. A cockroach sneaked into my tshirt while sleeping. Also the staff was rude.

PS: I am not a Atlas or Accor hater. I have just completed my new year trip in Movenpick, Vietnam. But it was completely funded with points.

 

[nrj1007]

That's not true at all. You're assuming that Rs. 30000 is 20% of hotel stay cost. That means you're assuming that hotel cost will be 1.5 lakhs.

I just looked at dates for an Ibis in Hong Kong that's going to 12000 for a night during peak season. It comes to 60000 for 5 days.

I'm going to try and discount my budget travel. That's 50% of my hotel stay cost.

Amex could cover my flights.

Or vice versa - I already have Amex points that I can use for Marriot and use my Atlas for flights.

Remember, Atlas has a yearly limit of 30K points to Accor (group 1)

I was talking about those whose total spends are 3 lakhs. Obviously those will not do a foreign trip. If anyone is doing foreign trip atleast once an year, Atlas is the best choice. (Atlas is my primary card as well as I have around 5 lakhs travel spends)

Secondly, What if the destination you want to travel doesnt has Ibis.
Also, I have had worst experience with Ibis in Krabi. A cockroach sneaked into my tshirt while sleeping. Also the staff was rude. I wouldn't suggest Ibis until more than 50% of cost is being burnt with points.

 

[kumars_001]

Is there an expiry on these Edge miles?

 

[pythonlover]

Is there an expiry on these Edge miles?

Valid for 1 year.

 

[kaykayporty]

I was talking about those who will spend 3 lakh only.

And my opinion may differ but if I am using less than 50% of total cost with points, I won't prefer to restrict myself to Accor in that case. I would rather pay in full and choose another property that fits. And for those with 3 lakhs spends, Ibis would be the only option that will fit and I have had worst experience with Ibis in Krabi. A cockroach sneaked into my tshirt while sleeping. Also the staff was rude.

PS: I am not a Atlas or Accor hater. I have just completed my new year trip in Movenpick, Vietnam. But it was completely funded with points.

I don't disagree with you at all.

I've heard horror stories of Accor. BUT I've heard horror stories of Marriot as well.

My example was to demonstrate that things are possible. That 3L doesn't make not worth it. Try getting the same value with any other card.

And let's stay you can do only 3L this year. You can always save up points and travel next year. Pay in cash this year.