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CheQ AU Credit Card VS Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 17 July 2026

Both CheQ AU Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card suit different spenders, but they earn and cost differently. CheQ AU Credit Card is lifetime-free and earns up to 12 percent on select brands; 5 percent on other online spends; 2.5 percent on CheQ UPI; 1 percent on all other transactions. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card costs Rs 499 + GST and earns up to 5 percent cashback on utilities via GPay; 4 percent on Swiggy/Zomato/Ola and 1.5 percent on other spends with 4 lounge visits per year. CheQ AU Credit Card also brings Indias first LED card with dual Visa + RuPay issuance, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card counters with its own niche benefits. Compare the fee and reward differences above against your priority spend category - shopping, dining, fuel, or travel - to pick the right fit.

Fees & Charges

Joining FeeLifetime Free
Joining Fee₹499 + GST
Renewal FeeLifetime Free
Renewal Fee₹499 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
Spend Based WaiverJoining fee waived on ₹10,000 spend in 45 days. Annual fee waived on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.49% on all foreign currency transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% of the transaction amount.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum) on revolving credit and cash advances.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month or 55.55% annualized on retail purchases and cash.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusThe card is marketed as Lifetime FREE, meaning no joining fee and no annual fee for the standard variant. An optional upgrade to the LED Credit Card incurs a one-time issuance fee of ₹999 + GST
Welcome Bonus
Rewards RateUp to 12% on select brands; 5% on other online spends; 2.5% on CheQ UPI; 1% on all other transactions.
Rewards RateEarn 5% cashback on Google Pay utility bills, 4% on Swiggy/Zomato/Ola, and 1.5% on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeCashback
Reward Redemption FeeNo rewards redemption fee.
Reward Redemption FeeNil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge AccessNot available on the CheQ AU Credit Card.
Domestic Lounge Access4 complimentary airport lounge visits to select domestic airport lounges per calendar year.
International Lounge AccessNot available on the CheQ AU Credit Card.
International Lounge Access
Travel BenefitsEarn 12% rewards on CheQ Travel (flights & hotels) and 5% on other travel spends. Redeem points for flights/hotels.
Travel Benefits
Movie Benefits
Movie Benefits
Dining Benefits
Dining BenefitsUp to 15% discount on dining bills at over 4,000 partner restaurants under Dining Delights.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹150 on fuel spends.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver for transactions between ₹400-₹4,000, max ₹500 per statement cycle.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
Insurance Benefits
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of the withdrawn amount, or ₹500, whichever is higher.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of withdrawn amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

CheQ AU Credit Card

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

India's first LED-enabled credit card offers a unique and visually engaging payment experience.

High reward rates up to 12% on popular brands and categories like shopping, travel, and utilities.

Lifetime free for the standard variant, making it an attractive option with no annual fees.

Receive both a Visa (LED) and RuPay card with a single application, offering great versatility.

Uncapped base rewards ensure continuous earning even after reaching accelerated rewards limits.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

High cashback rates: 5% on Google Pay bills/recharges and 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola.

Includes 4 complimentary domestic airport lounge accesses, rare for entry-level cards.

No maximum capping on the regular 1.5% cashback earned on all other spends.

Annual fee of ₹499 is easily waived off on an annual expenditure of ₹2,00,000.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Accelerated rewards are capped at 12,000 CheQ points per month, limiting high spenders.

Rewards are not applicable on several categories like fuel, education, gold, and rent payments.

Optional LED card incurs a one-time issuance fee of ₹999 + GST, which is an additional cost.

Interest rate on revolving credit is high at 3.75% per month (45% per annum), typical of the category.

No domestic or international airport lounge access on this card.

Applications for the LED card open only from April 28, 2026, indicating a future availability.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

No cashback on specific categories like fuel, wallet reloads, EMIs, gold items, and cash advances.

The accelerated 5% cashback on Google Pay is exclusively valid on the Android application.

Cashback earned at non-partner merchants (excluding key platforms) is a standard 1.5%.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.