Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs HSBC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
Premium
HSBC
HSBC Premier
Wins 3 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 5-3. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback HSBC Premier is still the right call if hsbc premier banking clients — no annual fee with relationship..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | HSBC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹499 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹499 | None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (fuel) | · 3% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹4,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 800 |
| 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
HSBC Premier
- 3 reward points per ₹100 on travel + dining
- 1 reward point per ₹100 on others
- Free for HSBC Premier clients (₹40L+ relationship)
- Unlimited international lounge visits via LoungeKey
- 1.99% forex markup
- Worldwide travel + emergency assistance
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs HSBC Premier: 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, HSBC Premier 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. HSBC Premier: 40,000 reward points on Premier banking opening.