Looking for the best cashback credit card in India? Whether you’re shopping online, dining out, or paying bills, cashback credit cards help you save on every transaction. Comparing two of the top contenders in the market — the Cashback SBI Credit Card and the Axis Bank Ace Credit Card.
The Cashback SBI Credit Card is a popular choice among young spenders. It offers up to 5% cashback on online purchases, capped at ₹2,000, and 1% cashback on offline spends, capped at ₹2,000 per statement cycle. This means the maximum cashback that can be earned in a statement cycle is ₹4,000. With an annual fee of ₹999 + GST, it’s ideal for those who want to earn rewards on both online and offline spending.
On the other hand, the Ace Credit Card offers up to 5% cashback on electricity, gas, water, and internet bill payments through the Google Pay application and 4% cashback on popular merchants like Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola. It also provides complimentary access to domestic airport lounges and many great dining benefits. The Axis Ace Credit Card is currently being offered as a lifetime free credit card. However, it has a renewal fee of ₹499 + GST.
In this article, we will compare the two cards in terms of fees, features, and benefits. So that the readers can come to a final conclusion on which credit card is more suitable for them.
Cashback SBI Card
The Cashback SBI Card has been launched recently by SBI Cards, and as the name suggests, it offers you cashback on all purchases. The card comes at a joining fee of ₹999 + GST. The renewal fee of the card can be waived on spending ₹2 lakh or more in the previous year. The card offers up to 5% cashback on all online transactions that will be capped at ₹2000, and 1% cashback on offline purchases capped at ₹ 2000. This means the maximum cashback that can be earned in a statement cycle is ₹4,000. The cashback earned with the card is adjusted in the card’s statement balance.
The features of the card include the following-
- The cashback earned with the card will be automatically adjusted in the card’s next month’s statement.
- Primary cardholders can request up to 2 add-on cards at no cost.
- Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between ₹500 and ₹3,000 at all fuel stations in India. The waiver on fuel surcharge is capped at ₹100 per month.
Axis Bank Ace Credit Card
Axis Bank’s Ace is another popular cashback credit card that offers great cashback on all transactions made with the card. The card is issued with no joining fee, but has an annual fee of ₹499 + GST. The annual fee from the 2nd year onwards is waived on yearly total spending of ₹2 Lakh.
Talking about the cashback that it provides, you get 5% cashback on utility bill payments, and DTH & mobile recharges through Google Pay. You also get 4% cashback on partner merchants and 1.5% cashback on all other transactions made with the card. The card also offers many other benefits, like a 20% discount on dining bills and travel benefits, including complimentary access to domestic lounges. The features and advantages of the Ace Credit Card have been mentioned in detail below:
- The Ace Credit Card offers 5% cashback on utility bill payments like electricity & gas bills and DTH & mobile recharges made with Google Pay.
- You also get 4% cashback on partner merchants like Zomato, Swiggy, & Ola.
- 1.5% cashback on all other merchant expenditures.
- The cashback is adjusted in the card’s next statement balance.
- The card provides four free accesses to domestic lounges in India as a travel perk.
- Get up to 20% discount on dining bills at 4000+ restaurants under the bank’s Dining Delights program.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000. The waiver is capped at ₹500 per month.
Quick Comparison
The table below will let you know the differences in the features and benefits of both credit cards:
| Particulars | Cashback SBI | Axis Bank Ace |
| Annual Fee | ₹999 + GST | Rs. 499 + GST |
| Cashback |
(Capped at ₹2000) |
|
| Cashback Capping | The Maximum Cashback of ₹4,000 per Statement Cycle | 5% and 4% Cashback Categories have a Combined Maximum Capping of ₹500 per Statement Cycle |
| Cashback Redemption | Cashback Will be Automatically Credited to the Card’s Statement Balance. | Cashback Will be Automatically Credited to the Card’s Statement Balance. |
| Spend-based Annual fee waiver | The Annual Fee can be waived on Spending ₹2 Lakh in the previous year | The Annual Fee can be Waived on Spending ₹2 Lakh in the Previous Year |
| Domestic Airport Lounge access | N/A | 4 Complimentary Domestic Lounge Access per Year |
| Dining Benefits | N/A | Up to 20% off on Dining Bills at Restaurants Under the Axis Bank Dining Delights Program |
Added Benefits
When comparing the Axis Bank Ace Credit Card and the SBI Cashback Credit Card, the main difference is in the rewards and lifestyle benefits. The Axis Bank Ace Credit Card offers strong cashback, like 4% on Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato. It also provides extra perks, such as free access to domestic airport lounges and up to 15% off at restaurants through its Dining Delights program. These features make it a better choice for people who enjoy travel and dining benefits along with cashback.
On the other hand, the SBI Cashback Credit Card focuses mainly on straightforward cashback earnings. It does not offer lifestyle benefits, making it a better fit for those who prefer simple rewards without any added perks.
Bottom Line
If most of your spending is online shopping, the Cashback SBI Credit Card is the better choice. It’s flat 5% cashback on almost all online purchases, is simple, easy to understand, and can help you save more without thinking about specific categories.
On the other hand, if you spend a lot on utility bills, food delivery, and ride apps like Swiggy, Zomato, or Ola, then the Axis Bank Ace Credit Card makes more sense. It also gives you extra benefits like lounge access and dining discounts, which add more overall value.
So, choose the SBI Cashback Card for straightforward online savings, and go with Axis Ace if you want a mix of cashback plus lifestyle benefits.