HSBC TravelOne vs Axis Atlas: Can TravelOne Take Atlas' Place?

If you’re one of the many travelers mourning the quiet exit of the Axis Atlas credit card, you’re not alone. Once hailed as the go-to airline-agnostic travel card in India, Atlas had carved a strong niche for itself with its high reward rates and versatile transfer partners. But now that Axis has stopped issuing new Atlas cards, it’s fair to ask, what’s next?

Enter HSBC TravelOne. While it might not be a one-to-one replacement just yet, it’s certainly shaping up to be one of the few viable airline-agnostic travel credit cards left in the Indian market. Let’s break down how HSBC TravelOne vs Axis Atlas stacks up, especially now that it’s stepping into the shoes Atlas is leaving behind.

Why Airline-Agnostic Cards Still Matter

Co-branded cards - like those from Vistara, Emirates, or Accor - are great if you’re loyal to one brand. But most of us want flexibility: multiple transfer partners, use-anywhere perks, and meaningful rewards. HSBC TravelOne and Axis Atlas fit that bill. If you've missed applying for Atlas, HSBC TravelOne is now the next best wage and may soon be the throne.

The Game-Changer: HSBC's New Rewards Portal

HSBC has launched their own “Travel with Points” platform—powered by Hopper—and it brings serious firepower to accelerated rewards:

Card Variant	Flights	Hotels	Car Rentals
HSBC TravelOne	4X (₹16/₹100)	6X (₹24/₹100)	2X (₹8/₹100)

Accelerated points are capped at 18,000 points/month, with base points still uncapped. This translates to roughly ₹1.28L travel spend/month or ₹82K on hotels to max out.

Full Comparison: HSBC TravelOne vs. Axis Atlas

	HSBC TravelOne	Axis Atlas
Annual Fee	₹4,999*	₹5,000
Fee Waiver	₹8L spend	—
Flight Accelerated Return	~16% (4X)	~10% (5X)
Hotel Accelerated Return	~24% (6X)	~10% (5X)
Partner Flexibility	Wide (incl. BA, EVA, Shangri-La)	Wide (incl. Air Canada, SpiceJet)
Lounge Access	6 Domestic / 4 Int’l	Up to 18 / 12 (tiered)
Lifestyle Perks	Golf, Dining, Duty-Free Discounts	None
Welcome + Milestone Rewards	Voucher + bonus points	Miles + tier bonuses

* Fee can be waived with ₹8L annual spend.

What’s the Verdict?

Axis Atlas still delivers great rewards for existing users and in markets where availability continues. But its discontinuation for new applications leaves a gap that HSBC TravelOne is ready to fill, especially with its new portal turbocharged with 4–6X travel returns.

Ideal for:

• You prefer simple, reliable travel rewards

• You often book flights or hotels via online agencies

• You value extra perks like golf, dining, and flexible redemption

  
  

Less ideal if:

• You're hunting for the highest possible reward rate (Axis still edges ahead there)

• You rely on tiered elite travel perks like lounge access

  
  

Ultimately, HSBC TravelOne (with Travel with Points) is not just a decent fallback, it’s a fast-rising competitor. If you're Atlas-less and still travel-savvy, it's worth front and center in your wallet right now.