Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs HDFC Smart Pay
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 3 of 10
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC Smart Pay
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
HDFC Smart Pay wins 5-3. Lowest-fee credit card from HDFC — utility-only. Axis ACE is still the right call if bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | HDFC Smart Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹499 | ₹199 |
| Joining fee | · ₹499 | ₹199 |
| Top reward rate | 4% (fuel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 500 CashPoints on activation |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹200,000 / yr | ₹20,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | ₹180,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 700 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.8/5 |
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 Smart Pay
- 1 CashPoint per ₹150 on retail
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Auto-pay reminders
- Contactless payments
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs HDFC Smart Pay: which is better?
HDFC Smart Pay 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 Smart Pay 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 Smart Pay: 500 CashPoints on activation.