HDFC MoneyBack+ vs Axis Reserve
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 Reserve is still the right call if invitation-only super-premium, for ₹25l+/year spenders..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC MoneyBack+ | Axis Reserve |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | · ₹50,000 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | · ₹50,000 |
| Top reward rate | = 5% (shopping) | = 5% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 2% | 5% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction | = 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹50,000 / yr | · ₹2,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹5,000,000 |
| Min credit score | 720 | · 820 |
| Editorial rating | · 4.1/5 | 4.7/5 |
Benefits compared
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
Axis Reserve
- 5 EDGE points per ₹100 (effectively 5%)
- Unlimited international + domestic lounge visits
- Taj Epicure + ITC Culinaire memberships
- Concierge 24x7 globally
- 0% forex markup on first ₹15L of FX/year
- Annual ₹25K vouchers at milestones
FAQ
›HDFC MoneyBack+ vs Axis Reserve: 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 HDFC MoneyBack+ for its best categories, Axis Reserve for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction. Axis Reserve: 50,000 EDGE points + Taj Epicure membership.