When it comes to choosing a credit card that offers value through cashback, two names often top the list—SBI 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 | ₹999 (waived if you spend ₹2 lakh) | On monthly income of ₹10,000, the fee is waived. |
| Rate of Cashback | 1% elsewhere, 5% online | 2% for others, 4% for apps, 5% 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: ₹999 + GST
- The renewal fee is ₹999, which is waived on a yearly expenditure of ₹2,00,000.
- Interest Rate: ~3.5% per month
- No reward redemption charges as cashback is auto-credited
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
- Annual Fee: ₹499 + GST
- If a monthly expenditure of ₹10,000 is made, the ₹499 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 ₹25,000/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 ₹15,000/month
- Employment: Salaried/self-employed
- Recommended for Google Pay users
- Credit Score: 720+ preferred
Axis ACE is more beginner-friendly with broader accessibility.
Milestone Benefit Comparison
SBI Cashback
- For spending ₹2L annually, the ₹999 renewal cost is waived.
- No other milestone rewards or spends-based incentives
Axis ACE
- Waiver of ₹499 fee on spending ₹10,000 each month (₹1.2L 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 on non-online purchases, utility bills, and offline purchases
- No cashback on wallet reloads, fuel, EMIs
- Monthly cashback cap: ₹5,000
- Within two days of the statement being generated, cashback is automatically credited to your account.
Axis ACE Credit Card
- To pay your utility bills and get a 5% 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
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits annually, one every three 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.
Which Card is Better for You?
Choose SBI Cashback Credit Card if:
- You’re a frequent online shopper across various e-commerce platforms
- You want maximum cashback without platform restrictions (except wallet loads)
- If your spending is modest, you are willing to pay a larger annual charge.
- You don’t 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
- You desire travel perks and access to domestic lounges.
- You would rather pay less each year and redeem your cashback 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:
- If you spend most of your money online and want a card that automatically provides you flat cashback on certain purchases, go for SBI Cashback.
- Choose Axis ACE if you’re 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.
