Axis ACE vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Axis ACE wins 5-3. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (fuel) | 8% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹800,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 770 |
| Editorial rating | = 4.5/5 | = 4.5/5 |
Benefits compared
Axis ACE
- 5% cashback on Google Pay bill payments (electricity, gas, broadband, mobile, DTH)
- 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola
- 2% cashback on every other transaction
- 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per year
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: which is better?
Axis ACE wins on more dimensions (5 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis ACE for its best categories, HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
Axis ACE: Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status.