Axis ACE Credit Card vs IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
Last updated: 2026-04-25· By PointsWallah Editorial
Our Verdict
Both are top-tier entry cards. The ACE gives 2% flat cashback + 5% on bill payments (capped at 500/month). The IDFC Classic gives 2% flat + 4% online, and is completely free forever. If you pay 5,000+ in monthly bills through Google Pay/PhonePe, the ACE's bill payment benefit makes up for its 499 fee within 2 months. If you want zero fee commitment with decent rewards, the IDFC Classic is risk-free. Best strategy: get the IDFC Classic first (no risk), add the ACE later when you're comfortable with credit cards and want to optimize bill payments.
| Feature | Axis ACE Credit Card | IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Axis Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Annual Fee | ₹499 | FREE |
| Fee Waiver | Spend 2L in a year | Lifetime free |
| Income Required | ₹3L/year | ₹2.5L/year |
| Base Reward Rate | 2 Cashback/₹100 | 2 Points/₹100 |
| Lounge Access | None | 4 domestic, 0 intl |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
Reward Rates Compared
Axis ACE Credit Card
Cashback
- Bill payments (Google Pay, PhonePe, etc.)5x
- Swiggy, Zomato, Ola, Uber4x
- All other spends2x
IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
IDFC FIRST Reward Points
- All spends2x
- Online spends4x
Our Analysis
Axis ACE Credit Card
The ACE is arguably the best entry-level credit card in India right now. The 2% flat cashback on ALL spends is hard to beat at this price point. The 5% on bill payments is unique — if you route your electricity, phone, and broadband bills through Google Pay using this card, you're effectively getting 5% off your utility bills. The 500/month cap limits this to about 10K in bill payments. The smart move: use ACE for bills and everyday spending, and pair it with a category-specific card (Flipkart or Amazon ICICI) for online shopping.
IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
If someone asks me 'which credit card should I get first?', the IDFC FIRST Classic is often my answer. Lifetime free means you never pay a fee — ever. The 2x base rate matches paid cards like the Axis ACE. The 4 lounge visits are a genuine perk you won't find on other free cards (Amazon Pay ICICI, for example, has zero lounge access). It's the perfect starter card: zero risk, decent rewards, and it starts building your credit history for when you're ready to upgrade to premium cards. The only downside is IDFC's reward redemption catalog is limited — but for a free card, you can't really complain.
Pros & Cons
Axis ACE Credit Card
Pros
- + 5% cashback on bill payments through Google Pay/PhonePe — unique benefit
- + 2% flat cashback on all other spends — among the best base rates for entry cards
- + 4% on food delivery and cabs
- + Low fee with easy waiver
Cons
- - 5% bill payment cashback capped at 500/month
- - No lounge access
- - Cashback is credited as statement credit
- - 2% base rate can change — Axis has revised cashback structures before
IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card
Pros
- + Lifetime free — genuinely zero annual fee forever
- + 2x on all spends is strong for a free card
- + 4x on online spends
- + 4 domestic lounge visits — rare for a free card
- + Easy approval for first-time credit card applicants
Cons
- - IDFC FIRST reward point redemption options are limited
- - No international lounge access
- - Point value is lower than HDFC/Axis points
- - IDFC FIRST Bank's app and customer service are improving but not best-in-class
Who Should Pick What?
Pick Axis ACE Credit Card if you:
- • bill payment optimizers
- • google pay users
- • food delivery fans
Pick IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card if you:
- • first time card holders
- • zero fee commitment
- • online shoppers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Axis ACE Credit Card better than IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card?
Both are top-tier entry cards. The ACE gives 2% flat cashback + 5% on bill payments (capped at 500/month). The IDFC Classic gives 2% flat + 4% online, and is completely free forever. If you pay 5,000+ in monthly bills through Google Pay/PhonePe, the ACE's bill payment benefit makes up for its 499 fee within 2 months. If you want zero fee commitment with decent rewards, the IDFC Classic is risk-free. Best strategy: get the IDFC Classic first (no risk), add the ACE later when you're comfortable with credit cards and want to optimize bill payments.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis ACE Credit Card and IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card?
Axis ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499 (waiver: Spend 2L in a year). IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹0 (waiver: Lifetime free).
Which card has better lounge access — Axis ACE Credit Card or IDFC FIRST Classic Credit Card?
See the detailed comparison below for lounge access details.
Disclaimer:This comparison is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Card features, fees, and reward structures may change without notice. Please verify all details on the respective bank's website before applying. We may earn a commission if you apply through our links — this does not affect our editorial recommendations.