Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs HDFC Regalia Gold
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
Premium
HDFC Bank
HDFC Regalia Gold
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 5-4. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback HDFC Regalia Gold is still the right call if mid-tier travel + dining without the diners black price tag.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | HDFC Regalia Gold |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹2,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹2,500 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (fuel) | 25% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 4% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 2% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹400,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,200,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 770 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
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 Regalia Gold
- 5x reward points on travel + dining via SmartBuy
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits per year (Priority Pass)
- 12 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year
- Annual memberships: Club Vistara Silver, MMT Black Elite
- Low forex markup: 2%
- Milestone benefits at ₹1.5L, ₹3L and ₹4L spend
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs HDFC Regalia Gold: which is better?
Axis ACE wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). 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 Regalia Gold 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 Regalia Gold: 2,500 reward points + ₹1,500 Marriott / Cult.fit voucher.