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Airtel Axis Bank vs Axis Bank ACE: Which Card Is Better?

A side-by-side comparison of Airtel Axis Bank and Axis Bank ACE credit cards: fees, reward rates by category, caps, forex markup, lounge access, and which one earns more for different kinds of spenders.

Verdict

Airtel Axis Bank earns more in 4 of the 7 spending profiles we tested. Choose Airtel Axis for airtel customers who also spend regularly on the card. Choose Axis ACE for paying bills and earning flat cashback everywhere.

Spending profileAirtel AxisAxis ACEWinner
Balanced spender₹8,160₹7,560Airtel Axis (+₹600)
Online shopper₹7,980₹7,890Airtel Axis (+₹90)
Frequent traveller₹8,244₹8,604Axis ACE (+₹360)
Family & groceries₹11,040₹11,040Airtel Axis (+₹0)
Foodie₹7,680₹9,360Axis ACE (+₹1,680)
Daily commuter₹6,360₹5,730Airtel Axis (+₹630)
High spender₹21,366₹23,766Axis ACE (+₹2,400)

Estimated yearly value after caps, fees (with GST) and forex costs. Try your own spends →

Airtel Axis vs Axis ACE: full comparison

FeatureAirtel Axis BankAxis Bank ACE
Card
Airtel Axis BankAxis Bank
Axis Bank ACEAxis Bank
Annual fee₹500 + GST₹499 + GST
Joining fee₹500 + GST₹499 + GST
Fee waiverWaived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spendWaived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spend
NetworkMastercardVisa
Amazon rewards1%1.5%
Flipkart rewards1%1.5%
Other online shopping rewards1%1.5%
Food delivery rewards10%4%
Dining out rewards1%1.5%
Groceries rewards1%1.5%
Flights & hotels rewards1%1.5%
Fuel rewards0%0%
Bills & recharges rewards10%5%
Everything else rewards1%1.5%
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Lounge accessNone (removed in April 2026)4 domestic visits a year (spend-linked)
Reward caps10% utility cashback capped at 1× the 1% base cashback you earn (25% on Airtel bills capped at 2×)
10% value back on Zomato capped at ₹200 a month, as partner wallet credit (min. order ₹499)		5% and 4% cashback combined capped at ₹500 per month
Est. yearly value: balanced spender₹8,160₹7,560
Est. yearly value: online shopper₹7,980₹7,890
Est. yearly value: frequent traveller₹8,244₹8,604
Est. yearly value: family & groceries₹11,040₹11,040
Best forAirtel customers who also spend regularly on the cardPaying bills and earning flat cashback everywhere
Pros
  • 25% cashback on Airtel mobile, broadband and DTH bills via Airtel Thanks
  • 10% cashback on utility bills via Airtel Thanks
  • 10% value back on Zomato, Blinkit and District (₹200 cap each)
  • 1% cashback on everything else
  • 5% cashback on bill payments and recharges via Google Pay
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola
  • 1.5% unlimited cashback on other spends
Cons
  • Since April 2026, bill cashback caps depend on how much base cashback you earn
  • Lounge access and Swiggy/BigBasket cashback removed
  • Partner rewards come as wallet credit, not cash
  • Accelerated cashback capped at ₹500 per month
  • No cashback on fuel, rent, wallet or EMI transactions
Visit Axis BankVisit Axis Bank

FAQs

Which is better, Airtel Axis or Axis ACE?

Airtel Axis Bank comes out ahead in 4 of 7 spending profiles we tested. Choose Airtel Axis Bank if you want a card for airtel customers who also spend regularly on the card. Choose Axis Bank ACE if you want a card for paying bills and earning flat cashback everywhere.

What is the difference in annual fee between Airtel Axis and Axis ACE?

Airtel Axis Bank: ₹500 + GST (waived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spend). Axis Bank ACE: ₹499 + GST (waived on ₹2,00,000 yearly spend).

Which card has a lower forex markup?

Both cards charge 3.5%.

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