Pairwise comparison Compare 3+ cards →

Axis Bank Magnus vs ICICI Bank Times Black Credit Cards – Fees, Lounge, Forex

Side-by-side comparison of the Axis Bank Magnus and the ICICI Bank Times Black. Verify fees, lounge access, forex markup, and base rewards before you apply.

Magnus
Times Black

The short answer

Verdict

Pick Times Black for travel and spending abroad.

Head-to-head

Three core metrics
  • Annual fee
    Magnus ₹12,500 Waivable at ₹25,00,000 spend
    Times Black ₹20,000 Waivable at ₹25,00,000 spend
    Magnus saves ₹7,500/yr
  • Forex markup
    Magnus 2%
    Times Black 1.49%
    Times Black saves ~₹510 per ₹1L abroad
  • Domestic lounge
    Magnus Unlimited
    Times Black Unlimited

Reward earning explained

Per card
Magnus

6 EDGE Reward Points / ₹100

Strong data
Times Black

2 pts / ₹100

Strong data

Pick based on what matters

4 dimensions

Start with the constraint you care about most: annual fee (Axis Bank Magnus: ₹12,500 vs ICICI Bank Times Black: ₹20,000), forex markup (2% vs 1.49%), or lounge access (Unlimited vs Unlimited).

  • Travel ICICI Bank Times Black wins

    ICICI Bank Times Black is better for travel

    ICICI Bank Times Black is stronger here. ICICI Bank Times Black is cheaper for international spend (1.49% vs 2% forex).

  • Forex markup ICICI Bank Times Black wins

    ICICI Bank Times Black is better for forex

    ICICI Bank Times Black is stronger here. ICICI Bank Times Black has a lower forex markup (1.49% vs 2%).

  • Lounge access Tie

    Both cards are similar for lounge access

    Domestic lounge access is unlimited.

  • Rewards Tie

    Both cards are similar for rewards

    Axis Bank Magnus conservative base value ~1.2% vs ICICI Bank Times Black's ~0.8%. ICICI Bank Times Black conservative base value ~0.8% vs Axis Bank Magnus's ~1.2%.

All fields

Example usage at this monthly spend

At ₹50k/month spend:

  • Magnus: ~₹600/month at base rate
  • Times Black ICICI Bank: ~₹400/month at base rate

Illustrative only, using current base rates before caps.

Field Magnus Axis Bank Times Black ICICI Bank
Insurance — Air accident cover
Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank
Not specified ₹3 crore
Insurance — Lost card liability cover
Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank
Not specified ₹50,000
Insurance — Underwriter
Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank
Not specified Insured by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited
Lounge Access
Domestic lounge visits Unlimited Unlimited
International lounge visits Unlimited Unlimited
Forex / International Use
Forex markup
Source agreement differs — verify both.
2% vs 1.49%
2% 1.49%
Fees
Recurring annual fee
₹12,500 vs ₹20,000
₹12,500 ₹20,000
Annual-fee waiver ₹25,00,000 ₹25,00,000
Interest-free period
Up to 50 days vs Up to 48 days
Up to 50 days Up to 48 days
Monthly interest rate
Only available for Times Black ICICI Bank
Not specified 3.75% / month
Fuel benefit
1% surcharge waiver · ₹400–₹4,000 transactions · ₹400/month waiver cap · Fuel rewards excluded vs 1% surcharge waiver · up to ₹4,000 transactions
1% surcharge waiver · ₹400–₹4,000 transactions · ₹400/month waiver cap · Fuel rewards excluded 1% surcharge waiver · up to ₹4,000 transactions
Rewards
Points per ₹100
6 EDGE Reward Points / ₹100 vs 2 pts / ₹100
6 EDGE Reward Points / ₹100 2 pts / ₹100
Conservative base value
~1.2% vs ~0.8%
~1.2% ~0.8%
Earn ceiling Not stated Not stated
Point value (headline channel)
Issuer headline redemption rate — see each card page for the full channel grid.
₹0.2 vs ₹0.4
₹0.2 ₹0.4

Notes

  • Card benefits change frequently. Always verify current terms on the issuer's official website or app before applying.