Axis Bank ACE vs Paytm SBI Card
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 Paytm SBI Card differ first on recurring cost: Axis Bank ACE has an annual fee of ₹499 against ₹499 + GST for Paytm SBI Card, so holding cost is identical. On rewards, Axis Bank ACE earns 1.5% in Cashback while Paytm SBI Card earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. 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 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | Axis Bank ACE | Paytm SBI Card |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Axis Bank | SBI Card |
| Joining fee | ₹499 | ₹499 + GST |
| Annual fee | ₹499 | ₹499 + GST |
| Fee waiver | ₹2,00,000 annual eligible spend | ₹1,00,000 annual eligible spend |
| Base rewards | 1.5% in Cashback | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100 |
| Accelerated routes | GPay bill payments/DTH/recharge · Swiggy, Zomato and Ola | 3 Reward Points per ₹100 · 2 Reward Points per ₹100 |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, wallet load, emi, utility, telecom, education, government, insurance, gold, jewellery, financial institutions, cash advance, repayments | fuel, wallet load, balance transfer, cash advance, easy money, encash, dial a draft, atm withdrawal, fees, education, flexipay, merchant emi |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic lounge | 4/yr (spend condition) | none |
| International lounge | none | none |
| Card networks | Visa | Visa |
| Best suited to | bills utilities, cashback, flat rate | paytm ecosystem, cashback, first card |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-07-23 | Checked 2026-07-30 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Axis Bank ACE better than the Paytm SBI Card?
Neither is universally better. Axis Bank ACE charges ₹499 a year and earns 1.5% in Cashback; Paytm SBI Card charges ₹499 + GST and earns 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on eligible spends, including UPI; minimum eligible transaction ₹100. 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 Paytm SBI Card?
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 Paytm SBI Card?
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.