Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs Kotak White Reserve
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 5 of 10
IN
Premium
Kotak Mahindra Bank
Kotak White Reserve
VISA
Wins 2 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 5-2. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | Kotak White Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹3,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹3,000 |
| Top reward rate | = 4% (fuel) | = 4% (dining) |
| Base reward rate | = 1.5% | = 1.5% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹600,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,800,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
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 White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs Kotak White Reserve: 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 White Reserve 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 White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite.