Is the Axis Ace credit card worth it? 5% on Google Pay bills, 4% on Swiggy and Zomato, 1.5% flat, ₹499 fee, a worked example and who it suits.
Quick Verdict
Yes, the Axis Ace credit card is worth it for a low-fee everyday cashback card, if you pay bills through Google Pay.It pays 5% on bill payments and recharges via Google Pay, 4% on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola, and 1.5% on everything else, for a ₹499 fee that is easy to waive.
This axis ace credit card review uses only Axis Bank's own page, as of November 2026. The catch is narrow: the 5% works only on Google Pay, there are four lounge visits a year, and forex is 3.5%.
Check | What Axis Bank shows |
|---|---|
Joining fee | ₹499; waived on ₹10,000 spend within 45 days of card set-up |
Annual fee | ₹499 from year 2; waived above ₹2,00,000 annual spend |
Bills and recharges on Google Pay | 5% cashback |
Swiggy, Zomato, Ola | 4% cashback |
All other spends | 1.5% cashback |
Lounge access | 4 domestic visits per calendar year |
Forex markup | 3.5% |
Benchmarksutra Score:69/100 — C Tier
Apply with Axis Bank:Check Axis Bank credit cards
What the Axis Ace Credit Card Offers
Ace is a cashback card from Axis Bank. It has no reward points, and Axis lists no reward redemption fee. The page says the card pays cashback on every spend, with these rates:
5%on utility bill payments (electricity, internet, gas and more) and DTH and mobile recharges, when paid on Google Pay
4%on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola
1.5%on all other spends
4 complimentary lounge visits per calendar year at select domestic airports
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of ₹400 to ₹4,000, up to ₹500 per statement
EMI conversion for transactions of ₹2,500 or more
The page marks the rates with an asterisk and points to the full terms. We did not read the individual cashback caps, so check the Axis terms for monthly limits before you rely on the 5% rate.
Axis Ace Fees, Waivers and Extra Charges
Item | What Axis lists |
|---|---|
Joining fee | ₹499, waived on spends of ₹10,000 within 45 days of card set-up |
Annual fee | ₹499 from the 2nd year, waived above ₹2,00,000 annual spend |
Add-on cards | Nil joining and annual fee |
Foreign currency fee | 3.5% of transaction value |
Rent payments | 1% per transaction |
Education via third-party apps | 1% per transaction |
Utilities | 1% fee on ₹25,000 or more per statement cycle |
Wallet loads | 1% fee on ₹10,000 or more per statement cycle |
Fuel | 1% fee on ₹50,000 or more per statement cycle |
Online skill-based gaming | 1% fee on ₹10,000 or more per statement cycle |
Rent and wallet loads do not count toward the ₹2,00,000 waiver target. Spend ₹16,700 a month and you reach it. For the general mechanics, seeHow Credit Card Fee Waivers Work.
Is the Axis Ace Card Worth It? A Worked Example
Our assumed profile is a salaried household. The spends are illustrative, the rates are from Axis Bank.
Spend | Yearly amount | Rate | Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|
Bills and recharges on Google Pay | ₹96,000 (₹8,000 a month) | 5% | ₹4,800 |
Swiggy, Zomato, Ola | ₹36,000 (₹3,000 a month) | 4% | ₹1,440 |
Other spends | ₹1,80,000 (₹15,000 a month) | 1.5% | ₹2,700 |
Total | ₹3,12,000 | ₹8,940 |
Total spend is above ₹2,00,000, so the annual fee is waived. Net cashback is ₹8,940, about 2.9% of spend, before any caps in the terms. Axis's own value chart shows an indicative ~6.72% total benefit on ₹2,80,000, but that includes lounge value and the fee reversal, and Axis calls the figures indicative.
If you pay bills by other apps or by net banking, drop the ₹4,800 line to the 1.5% base. Then your cashback falls to about ₹5,400 on the same spend. Test your own mix with thereward value calculator.
Where Axis Ace Falls Short
Google Pay only for 5%.Bills paid on other apps or directly will not earn it, per the Axis page.
No cashback on fuel.Axis says no cashback is earned on fuel transactions.
Four lounge visits.A frequent flyer will use them in a month or two.
3.5% forex.Costly for foreign spends. Compare it in theforex markup calculator.
Terms keep changing.Axis flags that Ace's terms were updated with effect from 28 August 2026. We could not read the changes, so check the link on the page before applying.
Axis Ace Credit Card Benchmarksutra Scores
The score uses our fixed eight-part framework. See theBenchmarksutra Credit Card Scoreexplainer for how each row is judged.
Card | Score | Tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
Axis Bank Ace Credit Card | 69/100 | C Tier | Low-fee everyday cashback and Google Pay bills |
Reward Value 13/20: 5%, 4% and a flat 1.5%
Fee Value 12/15: ₹499, waived at ₹2 lakh
Redemption 8/10: cashback, no redemption fee
Use-Case Fit 12/15: bills, food delivery and flat spends
Eligibility 7/10: criteria not stated on the page read
Benefits 5/10: 4 lounge visits and a fuel waiver
Hidden Costs 5/10: 3.5% forex, 1% fees on some categories
Bank Experience 7/10: Axis app, but a terms update is flagged
Who Does the Axis Ace Card Suit?
Freshers and beginners
A sensible first card because the fee is low and the rewards are simple. Axis does not state income or age criteria on the page we read, so check them on the application form. Build history by paying the full bill each month. SeeCredit Card Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid.
Middle-aged families
This is the best fit. Electricity, DTH, internet and mobile bills on Google Pay earn 5%, and the 1.5% base covers groceries and school spends. Keep an eye on the 1% fee if utility spend reaches ₹25,000 in a cycle.
Travellers and frequent flyers
Not ideal. Four domestic lounge visits and a 3.5% forex markup are weak for frequent travel. SeeBest Credit Cards for International Travel.
Professionals (CA, lawyers, doctors)
A fine second card for bills and office utilities, since the ₹2,00,000 waiver is easy to reach. Business-heavy or rent-heavy spend does not fit, because rent carries a 1% fee. Also seeBest Axis Bank Credit Cards.
Senior citizens and retirees
Useful if bill payments are the main spend and the family already uses Google Pay. Add-on cards are free, so a spouse can hold one. Check the age limit with Axis Bank, as the page we read does not state it.
Checklist Before You Apply
Check whether you actually pay bills through Google Pay
Confirm the joining fee and the ₹10,000 in 45 days waiver on your application
Add up yearly spend and see if you can pass ₹2,00,000
Read the cashback caps in Axis's terms
Look at the terms update flagged for 28 August 2026
Compare it with other cashback cards inHow to Compare Credit Cards in India
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Paying bills by a non-Google Pay route and expecting 5%
Using Ace for rent, which carries a 1% fee and does not count for the waiver
Ignoring the 3.5% forex markup on foreign payments
Assuming fuel spends earn cashback
Forgetting the ₹10,000 in 45 days condition for the joining fee waiver
Carrying a balance: finance charges are 3.75% a month, which wipes out any cashback
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FAQs
Is the Axis Ace credit card worth it?
Yes, for everyday bills and flat spends at a low fee. It pays 5% on Google Pay bills, 4% on Swiggy, Zomato and Ola, and 1.5% on other spends.
What is the annual fee of Axis Ace?
₹499 from the second year. Axis waives it on annual spends above ₹2,00,000.
What is the joining fee of Axis Ace?
₹499, waived if you spend ₹10,000 within 45 days of card set-up.
Does Axis Ace give lounge access?
Yes, 4 complimentary visits per calendar year at select domestic airports.
Where do I get 5% cashback on Axis Ace?
On utility bills and DTH and mobile recharges paid through Google Pay.
Is there cashback on fuel?
No. Axis lists a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, up to ₹500 per statement, but no cashback on fuel.
What is the forex markup on Axis Ace?
3.5% of the transaction value.
Are the Ace terms changing?
Axis's page says the terms will be updated with effect from 28 August 2026. Check the latest terms before applying.
Official Sources and Editorial Note
Data checked as of: November 2026
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card page (rates, fees, lounge, value chart)
https://www.axis.bank.in/cards/credit-card/axis-bank-ace-credit-card
This article is written from official sources and does not rely on third-party wording. Spend examples are our own assumptions. Rates, caps and fees can change, so confirm current terms with Axis Bank before applying.
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