Indians love getting something back for their spends. The Axis ACE credit card is pitched as a cashback-heavy card, promising good returns on everyday bills, food orders, recharges, etc. But is it really worth it? Are the limits and exclusions making it less impressive than it seems? In this Axis ACE credit card review, you will learn:
- What are the key benefits of Axis ACE
- What its fees and charges look like
- What trade-offs come with its cashback scheme
- Whether it’s good value (or overhyped) for different kinds of users
Let’s dig in and see whether Axis ACE is the “Cashback King” or just good advertising.
Axis ACE Credit Card Review: Quick Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Card Issuer | Axis Bank |
| Annual Fee / Joining Fee | ₹499 + applicable taxes (joining + annual) |
| Welcome Bonus | People who regularly pay utility bills/recharge via Google Pay, order food via Swiggy / Zomato / use Ola, and want modest lounge access; moderate spenders who can hit fee waiver threshold. |
| Best For | People who regularly pay utility bills/recharge via Google Pay, order food via Swiggy / Zomato / use Ola, and want modest lounge access; moderate spenders who can hit the fee waiver threshold. |
Here’s a comparison at a glance:
| What you get | Axis ACE |
|---|---|
| Cashback rates | 5% on utility / recharges via Google Pay; 4% on Swiggy / Zomato / Ola; 1.5% on most other spends. |
| Cashback caps / limits | Combined cap approx ₹500/month on 5% + 4% categories. |
| Lounge access | Up to 4 domestic airport lounge visits per year (subject to spending condition). |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | Cashback caps/limits |
Axis ACE Credit Card Review: Key Benefits
Cashback / Rewards
- 5% cashback on bill payments (electricity, gas, internet, etc.), DTH & mobile recharges when done via Google Pay.
- 4% cashback on food delivery and ride-share spends (Swiggy, Zomato, Ola).
- 1.5% cashback on all other eligible spends.
- Note: The high rates in special categories (5% & 4%) are subject to a combined monthly cap of approx ₹500 on those categories. So once you hit the cap, further spends in those categories won’t earn you the high percentage.
Travel Benefits (if any)
- Lounge access: 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per calendar year. You do need to spend ~₹50,000 in the past 3 months to qualify.
- No strong international travel benefits; foreign transaction fees are steep, so it’s not ideal for overseas spends.
Shopping / Partner Offers
- Dining discounts: up to ~15% off at partner restaurants (over 4,000 in number) via “Dining Delights” programme.
- Offers via EazyDiner and other partners for food/dining.
EMI / Big Spend Perks
- You can convert transactions of ₹2,500 or more into EMI. This helps with larger purchases if you want to spread the cost.
- Annual fee waiver: If your total spends in a year exceeds ~₹2,00,000, the annual fee gets waived. So regular users can avoid the fee.
Fees & Charges
| Type of Fee / Charge | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual / Joining Fee | ₹499 + taxes. The joining fee is also ₹499. |
| Fee Waiver Condition | Waived if spends > ₹2,00,000 in a year. |
| Interest Rate (APR / Finance Charges) | ₹499 + taxes. |
| Late Payment & Overdue Fees | ~3.75% per month i.e., ~55.55% per annum for purchases/cash if you carry a balance. |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver / Other Charges | 1% surcharge waiver on fuel spends between ₹400-₹4,000. Maximum benefit ~₹500/month. Note: fuel spends don’t get cashback. |
| Foreign Transaction / Dynamic Currency Mark-Up | ~3.75% per month, i.e., ~55.55% per annum for purchases/cash if you carry a balance. |
| Other Exclusions / Fees | ~3.5% + GST when using a card abroad or via foreign merchants. |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Strong cashback rates in useful categories (utilities / recharges via GPay; food delivery; ride apps)
- Base cashback on all other spends (1.5%) ensures you still earn something even if not in special categories
- Lounge access adds a bit of prestige/comfort for travellers
- Dining discounts and partner offers enhance value for food lovers
- The annual fee is relatively modest and can be waived with reasonable spending
Cons
- The cap on high cashback categories (5% & 4%) is limited (₹500/month). Once you hit that, you don’t get more in those categories.
- Many exclusions: fuel spends don’t get cashback; some utility spends only valid via Google Pay; other categories (education, insurance, wallet loads, etc.) are excluded.
- High interest/finance charges if you carry a balance. It can hurt.
- Foreign currency mark-ups make it a poor choice for overseas use or international online shops.
- Lounge access is conditional (spend requirement) and might not be frequent enough to justify the benefit for some.
Who Should Apply for Axis ACE?
Best for:
- Young professionals or salaried people who often pay utilities, recharges, bills, and use apps like Swiggy, Ola, Zomato
- Moderate spenders who can reach ~₹2,00,000 per year in spending to waive the annual fee
- People who prefer cashback over reward points or miles and want simplicity in benefits
Not ideal for:
- Those who spend heavily outside the high-cashback categories (fuel, education, insurance, etc.), as many of those are excluded
- Frequent international travellers, or people doing many foreign currency transactions
- Casual users / very low spenders who won’t hit the fee waiver threshold and may struggle to benefit enough to justify fees
How to Apply for Axis ACE
Eligibility criteria
- Age: 18-70 years
- Indian resident; either salaried or self-employed
Documents required
- Proof of identity: PAN card / Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID etc.
- Proof of address: utility bills, etc.
- Proof of income: salary slips or ITR for self-employed.
How / where to apply
- Via Axis Bank’s website (Credit Cards section)
- Via Google Pay/partner apps (sometimes by invite or if pre-qualified)
FAQs about Axis ACE
Q1: What is the monthly cap for the high-cashback categories (5% + 4%)?
A: The combined monthly cap is ~ ₹500 for those categories. Once that is reached, further spends in those categories doesn’t get the high cashback.
Q2: Do all utility-bill payments get 5% cashback?
A: No. The 5% is only for bill payments / mobile / DTH recharges via Google Pay. Using other platforms may not qualify.
Q3: What happens if I don’t pay my balance on time?
A: Late fees apply (₹500 to ₹1,200 depending on the amount). High finance charges (~55.5% p.a.) mean carrying a balance is very costly.
Q4: Is the annual fee always waived?
A: Only if your total spending in the year exceeds ~ ₹2,00,000. If not, the fee applies. Axis Bank+1
Q5: Can I use this card abroad or for foreign online purchases?
A: Yes, but with extra cost: foreign transaction fee/mark-up ~3.5% + GST, which will reduce the effective cashback / make it less value-for-money.
Conclusion
So, is Axis ACE the “Cashback King” or just overhyped?
Axis ACE Credit card review rates it somewhere in between. For many everyday spenders who pay bills via Google Pay, order food/drives often, and can meet the spend for the annual fee waiver, this card offers very solid value. The cashback in the 5% and 4% categories is generous. The base 1.5% also ensures one gets something for regular spends.
However, the caps, exclusions, and high interest rates are real speed bumps. If one doesn’t hit the required spends, or uses the card mostly outside the high-cashback categories, the returns shrink quickly. Our Axis ACE credit card review also found that the foreign spends are a poor match.
Strong verdict: For the right user, Axis ACE delivers value for money. If one mostly uses it where the high cashback applies and pays off balances on time, one can save a good chunk annually. But it’s not going to be ideal for people expecting perks everywhere or expecting magic returns on all spends.
If you shop a lot for things like food delivery, utility bills via Google Pay, Ola, etc., this card can save you ₹3,000-₹5,000+ per year (depending on your spend pattern). Only apply if the high-cashback slots map to your habits.
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