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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

8/10
Annual Fee₹3,500
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank ACE Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹3,500
Joining Fee₹499₹6,500
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹6,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.25%
Reward CurrencyCashbackICICI Bank Rewards
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/108/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on utility bills and recharges via Google Pay (Android only)
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola with no individual merchant capping
  • Flat 1.5% uncapped cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (4 visits per year)

Cons

  • Combined monthly capping of ₹500 on 5% and 4% cashback categories
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 5% utility cashback is restricted to Google Pay on Android devices

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • High-value welcome vouchers worth over ₹9,000 covering travel, shopping, and dining.
  • Dual-card advantage (Amex + Mastercard/Visa) allows for broader acceptance and network-specific offers.
  • Generous movie benefits with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹500 twice a month on BookMyShow.
  • Complimentary golf rounds (up to 4 per month) based on spending milestones.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹3,500 which is only waived on a relatively high spend of ₹6 lakhs.
  • Domestic lounge access is contingent on a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.
  • Reward rate on utilities and insurance is low at 1 point per ₹100.

Our Verdict

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

Highest cashback rate in the market for electricity, gas, and internet bills via GPay.

Choose ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

Offers both domestic and international lounge access along with travel-specific welcome vouchers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1%. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.25% base rewards with bonuses on International Spends. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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