When it comes to choosing a credit card that offers value through cashback, two names often top the listโSBI Cashback Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card. These cards are popular among beginners and experienced users alike for one simple reason: they help you save money on your daily spends. However, both cater to slightly different lifestyles and spending patterns. In this post, we'll break down SBI Cashback vs Axis ACE Credit Card to help you decide which one suits your wallet and lifestyle better. Whether you're just starting with credit cards or looking to upgrade your existing card, this guide will make your decision easier.
Quick Comparison Table
Feature | SBI Cashback | Axis ACE |
Yearly Fee | โน999 (waivedย if youย spendย โน2 lakh) | On monthly income ofย โน10,000, the fee isย waived. |
Rate of Cashback | 1%ย elsewhere,ย 5%ย online | 2%ย for others, 4%ย forย apps,ย 5%ย for bills |
Lounge Access | No | Yes (4/year) |
Redemption Type | Auto Credit | Statement Credit |
Best For | Online Shopping | Bill Payments & Daily Use |
Fees and Charges
SBI Cashback Credit Card
- Annual Fee: โน999 + GST
- Theย renewalย feeย isย โน999,ย whichย isย waivedย onย aย yearlyย expenditureย ofย โน2,00,000.
- Interest Rate: ~3.5% per month
- No reward redemption charges as cashback is auto-credited
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
- Annual Fee: โน499 + GST
- If a monthly expenditure ofย โน10,000 isย made, the โน499 renewal cost is waived.
- Interest Rate: ~3.6% per month
- Cashback auto-adjusted against statement balance
Axis ACE is more budget-friendly and easier to maintain for moderate users.
Eligibility Criteria
SBI Cashback Credit Card
- Age: 21 to 60 years
- Income: Minimum โน25,000/month recommended
- Employment: Salaried or self-employed
- Credit Score: Good to excellent (750+ preferred)
Axis ACE Credit Card
- Age: 18 to 60 years
- Income: As low as โน15,000/month
- Employment: Salaried/self-employed
- Recommended for Google Pay users
- Credit Score: 720+ preferred
Axis ACE is more beginner-friendly with broader accessibility.
ย Milestone Benefit Comparison
SBI Cashback
- Forย spendingย โน2Lย annually,ย theย โน999ย renewalย costย isย waived.
- No other milestone rewards or spends-based incentives
Axis ACE
- Waiver of โน499 fee on spending โน10,000 each month (โน1.2L annually)
- No extra milestone rewards beyond the waiver
ACE card has an easier fee waiver milestone with a lower spending threshold.
Rewards, Cashback & Redemption
SBI Cashback Credit Card
- Online purchase cashback of 5% (Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, etc.)
- 1% cashback onย non-online purchases, utilityย bills, andย offline purchases
- No cashback on wallet reloads, fuel, EMIs
- Monthly cashback cap: โน5,000
- Withinย twoย daysย ofย theย statementย beingย generated,ย cashbackย isย automaticallyย creditedย toย yourย account.
Axis ACE Credit Card
- Toย pay your utility bills andย get aย 5%ย refund, use Google Pay.
- 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola
- 2% cashback on all other eligible spends
- No cashback on fuel, EMI, and wallet loads
- No monthly cap on cashback
- Cashback adjusted directly against statement balance
SBI wins for general online shopping; ACE wins for everyday bill payments and food delivery app spends.
Lifestyle Benefits and Perks
SBI Cashback
- No complimentary airport lounge access
- No extra lifestyle or travel benefits
- Designed mainly for cashback seekers
Axis ACE
- 4ย complimentaryย domesticย airportย loungeย visitsย annually,ย oneย everyย threeย months
- Dining offers via Axis Bank's partner network
- Payments for utilities are often made through Google Pay.
Axis ACE provides better lifestyle perks and travel value.
ย Which Card is Better for You?
Choose SBI Cashback Credit Card if:
- Youโre a frequent online shopper across various e-commerce platforms
- You want maximum cashback without platform restrictions (except wallet loads)
- Ifย yourย spendingย isย modest,ย youย areย willingย toย payย aย largerย annualย charge.
- You donโt care about lounge or lifestyle perks
Choose Axis ACE Credit Card if:
- Google Pay is a regular method of paying utility bills
- You order food or take rides with Swiggy, Zomato, or Ola
- Youย desireย travelย perks and access to domestic lounges.
- Youย wouldย ratherย payย lessย eachย yearย andย redeemย yourย cashbackย quickly.
SBI is great for online shopaholics; ACE is ideal for utility bills and app-based daily expenses.
Final Thoughts and Recommendation
Both the SBI Cashback and Axis ACE credit cards are excellent choices in the cashback segment. However, your decision should depend on where and how you spend:
- Ifย youย spendย mostย ofย yourย moneyย onlineย andย wantย aย cardย thatย automaticallyย providesย youย flatย cashbackย onย certainย purchases,ย goย forย SBIย Cashback.
- Choose Axis ACE if youโre a practical spender who values cashback on utilities, food delivery, and needs travel perks like lounge access.
For most beginners and salaried professionals, the Axis ACE Card emerges as a better all-rounder. But for those who shop online frequently and want higher monthly cashback potential, SBI Cashback takes the lead.