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Comparison6 min read · February 2025

Axis ACE vs HDFC Millennia: Which is Better in 2025?

The Matchup

Both are mid-tier cashback cards under ₹1,000 annual fee. Both are highly recommended by the Indian personal finance community. But they reward completely different behaviors.

Axis ACE: The UPI King

Annual fee: ₹499 (waived at ₹2L spend)

Best for: Google Pay users, UPI payments, bill payments, food delivery via app

Key rates:

  • 5% on Google Pay bill payments (electricity, DTH, gas)
  • 4% on Swiggy, Zomato, Ola
  • 2% flat on all UPI transactions

    • ACE is unbeatable if you pay bills digitally. On ₹3,000/month in Google Pay bill payments alone, you earn ₹150/month = ₹1,800/year just on bills.

    HDFC Millennia: The Shopping King

    Annual fee: ₹1,000 (waived at ₹1L spend)

    Best for: Amazon, Flipkart, online shopping, food delivery directly on apps

    Key rates:

  • 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Myntra, Swiggy, Zomato
  • 5% on movies, dining
  • 1% on all other spends

    • Millennia is unbeatable for platform-specific spending. On ₹8,000/month Amazon + Flipkart, you earn ₹400/month = ₹4,800/year.

    Head to Head

  • Amazon purchases: Millennia wins (5% vs 2%)
  • GPay bill payments: ACE wins (5% vs 0%)
  • Swiggy/Zomato: Tie (both 4-5%)
  • UPI payments: ACE wins (2% vs 0%)
  • Annual fee: ACE wins (₹499 vs ₹1,000)

    • The Verdict

    Do not choose — use both. The combined annual fee is ₹1,499, easily offset by rewards within 1-2 months. Together they cover everything at 4-5%.

    If forced to pick one: heavy Amazon users pick Millennia. Heavy UPI/bill users pick ACE.

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