Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card vs SBI Card Visa Cashback Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card vs Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card

In short: Axis Ace has the lower annual fee (₹499 vs ₹999); both charge a 3.5% forex markup.

Key factsAxis AceSBI Cashback
Annual fee₹499₹999
Joining fee₹499₹999
Annual fee waivedOn ₹2 lakh annual spendOn ₹2 lakh annual spend
Top reward rate5% Cashback on Bill Payments Through Google Pay5% Cashback on Online Spends
Base rewards1.5% Cashback on Other Eligible Merchants1% Cashback on Offline Spends
Lounge access4 airport lounge visits a yearNot listed
Forex markup3.5%3.5%

From issuer benefit data, checked 8 Nov 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.

What you'd earn in a year

On ₹20,000 a month with ₹5,000 at each card's top rate, Axis Ace returns about ₹1,400 more a year after annual fees (₹5,700 vs ₹4,800 in rewards).

Spend profileAxis AceSBI Cashback
Reward value: top rate / base rate5% / 1.5%5% / 1%
₹20,000 a month, all general spends₹3,600₹2,400
₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate₹5,700₹4,800
Annual fee₹499₹999

Estimates from the earn rates above, with stated cashback caps applied, before exclusions. Reward points are valued at the card's best listed redemption (often travel or vouchers via the bank's portal); cash-back on the statement is usually worth less. Annual fees may be waived on spend (see the table below).

The Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card and the Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card both offer cashback rewards with a top rate of 5% and base rates of 1.5% and 1% respectively. While both cards have a foreign currency markup fee of 3.5% and a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, they differ in annual fees, lounge access, and reward categories. Your choice will depend on your spending habits and preference for lounge access or cashback on specific categories.

Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.

Last updated:

Best for rewards → Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card
Best for travel → Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card
Best for low fee → Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card
Best for beginners → Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card
Feature Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card
BankAxis BankSBI Cards
NetworkVisaVisa
Joining feeJoining Fee of Rs.499Joining Fee of Rs.999
Annual / renewal feeSecond Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.499Renewal Fee of Rs.999
Annual fee waiverSpend Rs.2 Lakhs For Annual Fee WaiverSpend Rs.2 Lakhs For Waiver of Renewal Fee
Top reward rate5% Cashback on Bill Payments Through Google PayGet 5% Cashback on Online Spends
Base rate (other spends)1.5% Cashback on Other Eligible MerchantsGet 1% Cashback on Offline Spends
Lounge — domesticEnjoy 4 Complimentary Lounge Per Calendar Year—
Fuel surcharge waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver
Foreign currency markup3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions

Which is better for rewards?

For rewards, the Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card offers a higher base cashback rate of 1.5% compared to SBI Card's 1%, along with multiple accelerated cashback categories such as 5% on Google Pay bill payments and 4% on Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato. At Rs.20,000 monthly spend, Axis Bank Ace yields about Rs.5,700 annually in rewards, outperforming SBI Card's Rs.4,800. This makes Axis Bank Ace more rewarding for diversified spending, especially digital payments and food delivery.

Which is better for travel?

In terms of travel benefits, Axis Bank Ace provides 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per calendar year, which SBI Card Visa Cashback does not list. Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup fee, so neither has an advantage there. The lounge access on Axis Bank Ace adds value for frequent domestic travelers seeking airport comfort.

Which has lower effective cost?

The Axis Bank Ace card has a lower joining and renewal fee of Rs.499 compared to SBI Card's Rs.999, with both offering fee waivers on spending Rs.2 lakhs annually. Additionally, Axis Bank Ace waives card replacement and cheque payment fees, whereas SBI Card charges Rs.250 and Rs.100 respectively. Overall, Axis Bank Ace is more cost-effective for fee-conscious users.

Reward Category Focus

Axis Bank Ace emphasizes digital payments and food delivery with 5% cashback on Google Pay bill payments and 4% on Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato, whereas SBI Card Visa Cashback focuses on a simple split between online (5%) and offline (1%) spends. This makes Axis Bank Ace more attractive for users with diverse digital spending.

Fee Waiver Complexity

Both cards waive the annual fee upon spending Rs.2 lakhs annually. However, Axis Bank Ace has a lower fee of Rs.499 compared to SBI Card's Rs.999, making it easier to manage costs if you are close to the waiver threshold.

Who should pick Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card?

Consider Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card if you want higher cashback rates on digital payments and food delivery, value complimentary domestic lounge access, and prefer a lower annual fee with easier fee waivers. It's suitable for users looking to maximize rewards on everyday and online spends while enjoying some travel perks.

Who should pick Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card?

Consider Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card if you primarily seek straightforward cashback on online and offline spends with a simple rewards structure. While it has a higher fee, it may appeal to users who prefer a basic cashback card from SBI with consistent 5% cashback on online purchases and 1% on offline spends.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the annual fees for these cards?

Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card charges Rs.499 as joining and renewal fees, while Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card charges Rs.999 for both. Both offer fee waivers on spending Rs.2 lakhs annually.

Which card offers better cashback rewards?

Axis Bank Ace offers 5% cashback on Google Pay bill payments and 4% on Ola, Swiggy, and Zomato, with a base rate of 1.5%. SBI Card Visa Cashback offers 5% on online spends and 1% on offline spends. Overall, Axis Bank Ace provides higher rewards at typical spend levels.

Do these cards provide lounge access?

Axis Bank Ace Visa Signature Credit Card offers 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year. Sbi Card Visa Cashback Credit Card does not list any lounge access benefits in our data.

What are the foreign currency transaction fees?

Both cards charge a 3.5% foreign currency markup fee on international transactions.

Is there a fuel surcharge waiver on these cards?

Yes, both cards provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions.

Are there any fees for card replacement or cheque payments?

Axis Bank Ace waives card replacement and outstation cheque payment fees, while SBI Card charges Rs.250 for card replacement and Rs.100 for cheque payments.