Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs IDFC FIRST Wow
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 4 of 10
IN
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST Wow
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
Verdict
IDFC FIRST Wow wins 5-4. Secured card backed by FD — accessible to thin-credit-file applicants. Axis ACE is still the right call if bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | IDFC FIRST Wow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹499 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹499 | None |
| Top reward rate | 4% (fuel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | — |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 600 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4/5 |
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
IDFC FIRST Wow
- 1 reward point per ₹100 (no rate change cliff)
- Lifetime free, no annual fee
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Backed by FD: easy approval
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs IDFC FIRST Wow: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wow 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, IDFC FIRST Wow 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. IDFC FIRST Wow: Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction.