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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated April 2026

ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card vs Axis Bank Select Credit Card

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card

6.8/10
Annual Fee₹1,000
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkAmerican Express
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹3,000
Base Rewards0.2%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit CardAxis Bank Select Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,000₹3,000
Joining Fee₹4,000₹3,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹8,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%0.2%
Reward CurrencyHand-picked RewardsEDGE Reward Points
NetworkAmerican ExpressVisa
Editor Rating6.8/107.8/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card

  • 0.75% on Dining
  • 0.75% on Air Travel
  • 1.5% on iShop Spends

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

  • 0% on Retail Shopping

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card

Pros

  • High reward rate of up to 6% on accelerated spends via the Hand-picked Rewards catalogue.
  • Generous welcome bonus of 4,000 points which offsets the joining fee value.
  • Comprehensive concierge service via the i-Assist program for travel and dining assistance.
  • Access to exclusive American Express Selects dining and lifestyle offers worldwide.

Cons

  • High joining fee of ₹4,000 compared to the relatively low annual renewal fee.
  • Reward points are most valuable only when redeemed through a specific, limited catalogue.
  • Domestic lounge access now requires a high quarterly spend of ₹75,000.

Axis Bank Select Credit Card

Pros

  • 10,000 EDGE points (₹2,000 value) as a welcome benefit on first transaction.
  • Significant monthly savings with Swiggy (₹400) and BigBasket (₹500) discounts.
  • Complimentary Priority Pass with 6 international lounge visits annually.
  • 2X rewards on retail shopping up to ₹20,000 monthly spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access requires a high spend of ₹50,000 in the previous quarter.
  • Low reward redemption value (₹0.20 per point) compared to premium peers.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹8 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

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

Choose ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card if

Existing customers can leverage their relationship to get this invite-only card with premium concierge perks.

Choose Axis Bank Select Credit Card if

Strong benefits on Swiggy, BigBasket, and BookMyShow combined with golf access.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Axis Bank Select Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹1,000, while Axis Bank Select Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,000. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹8,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Air Travel. Axis Bank Select Credit Card offers 0.2% base rewards with bonuses on Retail Shopping. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card and Axis Bank Select Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card or Axis Bank Select Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Ascent American Express Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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