Axis ACE vs HDFC MoneyBack+
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins 5-3. Entry-level cashback with very low waiver bar. Axis ACE is still the right call if bill payments + utilities + fuel, set-and-forget cashback.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Axis ACE | HDFC MoneyBack+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹499 | · ₹500 |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | · ₹500 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (fuel) | 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | · 1.5% | 2% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Up to ₹2,000 cashback on first 60-day spends | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹200,000 / yr | ₹50,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | ₹240,000 |
| Min credit score | · 750 | 720 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 4.1/5 |
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
HDFC MoneyBack+
- 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Reliance Smart Bazaar (capped ₹1K/month)
- 2% on EMI transactions
- 1 fuel surcharge waiver
- Quarterly milestone vouchers
FAQ
›Axis ACE vs HDFC MoneyBack+: which is better?
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins on more dimensions (5 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern. Run your own monthly spend through the maximizer to see which one pays you more.
›Can I get both?
Yes, if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use Axis ACE for its best categories, HDFC MoneyBack+ 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. HDFC MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction.