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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Unifare 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 Unifare Credit Card

6.5/10
Annual Fee₹299
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkMastercard
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Unifare Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹299₹499
Joining Fee₹299₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹50,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyICICI Bank RewardsCashback
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating6.5/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Pros & Cons

ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card

Pros

  • Dual-purpose card acting as both a credit card and a Metro Smart Card
  • Auto-recharge facility of ₹200 when balance falls below threshold
  • Up to 15% discount on Metro travel fares (varies by city)
  • Accelerated 4 reward points per ₹100 on auto-recharge transactions

Cons

  • No airport lounge access or travel insurance benefits
  • Reward rate is relatively low for non-transit spends
  • City-specific variants limit utility if you move between metros

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 Unifare Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card if

Saves time with auto-recharge and money with direct fare discounts in Delhi, Mumbai, or Bangalore.

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 Unifare 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 Unifare 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 Unifare Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹299, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹50,000 annual spend. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25%. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Unifare 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 Unifare Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Unifare Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹299. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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