Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Axis Bank ACE 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 Sapphiro Credit Card

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

Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹3,500₹499
Joining Fee₹6,500₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹6,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank RewardsCashback
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card

  • 0% on International Spends

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

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.

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

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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card if

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

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE 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 ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹3,500, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹6,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on International Spends. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE 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.

Related Comparisons

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card vs Axis Bank Atlas Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITEAxis Bank ACE Credit Card vs SBI Card ELITEICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Axis Bank - Flipkart Axis Bank Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card vs Axis Bank - Flipkart Axis Bank Credit CardICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card vs Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card vs Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

Explore More

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card Full ReviewAxis Bank ACE Credit Card Full ReviewAll ICICI Bank CardsAll Axis Bank CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips