Axis Bank ACE vs IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+
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 HPCL Power+ differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank ACE has an annual fee of ₹499 against ₹499 + GST for IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ , so holding cost is identical. On rewards, Axis Bank ACE earns 1.5% in Cashback while IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ earns 2% in Reward Points. Both publish the same 3.5% forex markup. 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 2026-08-25. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank ACE | IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | ₹499 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹499 | ₹499 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹2,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹1,50,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1.5% in Cashback | 2% in Reward Points |
| Accelerated routes | GPay bill payments/DTH/recharge · Swiggy, Zomato and Ola | HPCL fuel (card + Happy Coins via HP Pay app) · grocery and utility |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, emi, utility, telecom, education, government, insurance, gold, jewellery, financial institutions, cash advance, repayments | rent, emi, wallet load, non HPCL fuel earns base only |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | Not recorded — confirm with issuer | Not recorded — confirm with issuer |
| Domestic lounge | 4/yr (spend condition) | 1 complimentary visit per quarter on minimum monthly spend of ₹20,000 |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa | RuPay, Visa |
| Best suited to | bills utilities, cashback, flat rate | fuel, commuter, utilities |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-23 | Checked 2026-08-08 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank ACE better than the IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ ?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank ACE charges ₹499 a year and earns 1.5% in Cashback; IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ charges ₹499 + GST and earns 2% in Reward Points. 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 HPCL Power+ ?
Both cards carry the same recorded annual fee of ₹499, so the decision rests on rewards, caps and exclusions rather than holding cost.
Which is better for international spending, Axis Bank ACE or IDFC FIRST Bank HPCL Power+ ?
Both publish a 3.5% forex markup, so compare international reward eligibility and lounge access instead.
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.