Axis Reserve vs Kotak White
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Axis Reserve wins 5-4. Invitation-only super-premium, for ₹25L+/year spenders. Kotak White is still the right call if mid-premium kotak card; rewards come from milestone white pass value, not a per-spend rate..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis Reserve | Kotak White |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹50,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | · ₹50,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | 5% (general) | · Milestone |
| Base reward rate | 5% | · Milestone |
| Forex markup | No FX fee | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership | = White Pass value of ₹1,500 on ₹30,000 spend within 60 days of card set-up |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹2,500,000 / yr | ₹500,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹5,000,000 | ₹2,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 820 | · N/A |
| Editorial rating | 4.7/5 | · 4.3/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis Reserve
- 5 EDGE points per ₹100 (effectively 5%)
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge visits
- Taj Epicure + ITC Culinaire memberships
- Concierge 24x7 globally
- 0% forex markup on first ₹15L of FX/year
- Annual ₹25K vouchers at milestones
Kotak White
- Milestone White Pass rewards, up to ₹27,000 per year on ₹12 lakh spend
- 3.5% forex markup
- Annual fee waived at ₹5 lakh annual spend
FAQ
›Axis Reserve vs Kotak White: which is better?
Axis Reserve wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern, see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis Reserve for its best categories, Kotak White for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis Reserve: 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership. Kotak White: White Pass value of ₹1,500 on ₹30,000 spend within 60 days of card set-up.