Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
Axis ACE vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Axis Bank
Axis ACE
VISA
Wins 7 of 10
IN
Premium
Standard Chartered
Standard Chartered Ultimate
VISA
Wins 1 of 10
Verdict
Axis ACE wins 7-1. Bill payments + utilities + fuel — set-and-forget cashback Standard Chartered Ultimate is still the right call if best general earn-rate at the ₹5k fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | 4% (fuel) | · 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹360,000 | · ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | 750 | · 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.4/5 |
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
Standard Chartered Ultimate
- 5 reward points per ₹150 (effectively 3.3%)
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- BookMyShow buy-1-get-1
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Comprehensive travel + purchase insurance
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
Axis ACE wins on more dimensions (7 vs 1). 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, Standard Chartered Ultimate 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. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.