Axis Bank ACE vs IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
Axis Bank ACE and IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank ACE has an annual fee of ₹499 against ₹0 for IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select, so IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select is cheaper to hold. On rewards, Axis Bank ACE earns 1.5% in Cashback while IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends. IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select has the lower forex markup at 1.99%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank ACE | IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | ₹0 |
| Annual fee | ₹499 | ₹0 |
| Fee waiver | ₹2,00,000 annual eligible spend | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 1.5% in Cashback | 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends |
| Accelerated routes | GPay bill payments/DTH/recharge · Swiggy, Zomato and Ola | 10 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible dining, travel and international purchases |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, emi, utility, telecom, education, government, insurance, gold, jewellery, financial institutions, cash advance, repayments | fuel, emi, cash advance |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 1.99% |
| Domestic lounge | 4/yr (spend condition) | 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge visit per quarter after ₹20,000 spend in the previous calendar month; 4 railway lounge visits per quarter with the same monthly spend gate |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa | Visa Signature |
| Best suited to | bills utilities, cashback, flat rate | lifetime free, low forex, balanced |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-23 | Checked 2026-08-01 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank ACE better than the IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank ACE charges ₹499 a year and earns 1.5% in Cashback; IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select charges ₹0 and earns 3 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible spends. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, Axis Bank ACE or IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹0. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank ACE or IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select?
IDFC FIRST Bank FIRST Select publishes the lower forex markup at 1.99% versus 3.5%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.