Axis ACE vs Kotak Royale Signature
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Axis ACE wins 5-2. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback Kotak Royale Signature is still the right call if mid-tier shopping/dining card with solid fee waiver economics..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | Kotak Royale Signature |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹999 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹999 |
| Top reward rate | = 4% (fuel) | = 4% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 2,000 reward points worth ₹500 + Pizza Hut voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹250,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | ₹300,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 740 |
| 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
Kotak Royale Signature
- 4 reward points per ₹150 on shopping + dining
- 1 reward point per ₹150 on other spends
- 2 complimentary domestic lounge visits per quarter
- Buy-1-get-1 movie ticket at PVR (Tuesdays)
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs Kotak Royale Signature: 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, Kotak Royale Signature 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. Kotak Royale Signature: 2,000 reward points worth ₹500 + Pizza Hut voucher.