Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs IRCTC SBI Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
SBI Card
IRCTC SBI Premier
RuPay
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 5-2. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback IRCTC SBI Premier is still the right call if frequent rail travelers — 10% irctc train ticket value back..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | IRCTC SBI Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (fuel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | · 4% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 1,500 IRCTC reward points |
| Fee waiver threshold | = ₹200,000 / yr | = ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | = ₹360,000 | = ₹360,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 720 |
| 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
IRCTC SBI Premier
- 10% rewards on IRCTC train ticket bookings
- 4 reward points per ₹125 on dining + groceries
- Up to 5% railway lounge access discount
- 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits/year
- 4% forex markup (high — not for international)
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs IRCTC SBI Premier: which is better?
Axis ACE wins on more dimensions (5 vs 2). 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, IRCTC SBI 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. IRCTC SBI Premier: 1,500 IRCTC reward points.