Side-by-side · honest numbers
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card vs Axis Bank ACE Credit Card vs HDFC Diners Club Black Metal
Honest side-by-side comparison of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card, HDFC Diners Club Black Metal — annual fees, reward rates, income eligibility, and estimated net annual value on the same spend profile.
At a glance (moderate spend)
Quick verdict: On moderate spend, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card ranks first for estimated net annual value — ahead of American Express SmartEarn Credit Card by about ₹5,010/yr.
| Feature | American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | Axis Bank ACE Credit Card Axis Bank | HDFC Diners Club Black Metal HDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | ₹499 | ₹10,000 |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Waived at ₹2,00,000/yr spend | No waiver published |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹20,000/mo | ₹1,50,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹6,660/yr | -₹6,300/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Dining & delivery | — | 4% cashback → ₹160/mo (₹1,920/yr) | — |
| Travel | — | — | 5 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹83/mo (₹1,000/yr) |
| Utilities & bills | — | 5% cashback → ₹110/mo (₹1,320/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 5% | 10X points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹500 rewards/mo cap | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | 4 domestic visits/year · ₹50,000 spend in previous 3 calendar months (waived for first 4 months on new cards) | Unlimited domestic + international · No minimum spend — show physical card at lounge (DreamFolks / Diners network) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Fuel · Non-GPay utilities · EMI · Rent · Wallet load | EMI · Fuel · Rent · Wallet |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
Frequently asked questions
- Which card has the lower annual fee?
- American Express SmartEarn Credit Card has the lowest annual fee at ₹495.
- Which card earns more on moderate spend?
- Axis Bank ACE Credit Card leads with an estimated ₹6,660/yr net annual value on moderate spend.
- Which card has the lower income requirement?
- Axis Bank ACE Credit Card lists a minimum monthly income of ₹20,000.
- Does this comparison pull my credit score?
- No. CardHungry estimates net value from public fee and reward rules only — no bureau check.
Customize your spend
Change spend profile or swap cards — results update live below.
American Express SmartEarn Credit Card
American Express
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card
Axis Bank
HDFC Diners Club Black Metal
HDFC Bank
Your adjusted comparison
| Feature | American ExpressGold American Express SmartEarn Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts American Express SmartEarn Credit Card Top reward10X Membership Rewards Annual fee₹495 Min income₹25,000/mo Tap to flip back American Express SmartEarn Credit Card American Express | Axis BankGold Axis Bank ACE Credit Card •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts Axis Bank ACE Credit Card Top reward5% Annual fee₹499 Min income₹20,000/mo Tap to flip back Axis Bank ACE Credit Card Axis Bank | HDFC BankMetal HDFC Diners Club Black Metal •••• •••• •••• 4242 Quick facts HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Top reward10X points Annual fee₹10,000 Min income₹1,50,000/mo Tap to flip back HDFC Diners Club Black Metal HDFC Bank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fees & eligibility | |||
| Annual fee | ₹495 | ₹499 | ₹10,000 |
| Fee waiver threshold | Waived at ₹40,000/yr spend | Waived at ₹2,00,000/yr spend | No waiver published |
| Min income | ₹25,000/mo | ₹20,000/mo | ₹1,50,000/mo |
| Secured / FD-backed | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Rewards | |||
| Net annual value (moderate) | ₹1,650/yr | ₹6,660/yr | -₹6,300/yr |
| Online shopping | 5 pts per ₹25 spend → ₹25/mo (₹300/yr) (cap hit) | — | — |
| Dining & delivery | — | 4% cashback → ₹160/mo (₹1,920/yr) | — |
| Travel | — | — | 5 pts per ₹150 spend → ₹83/mo (₹1,000/yr) |
| Utilities & bills | — | 5% cashback → ₹110/mo (₹1,320/yr) | — |
| Top reward rate | 10X Membership Rewards | 5% | 10X points |
| Primary reward cap | ₹500 eligible spend/mo | ₹500 rewards/mo cap | No monthly cap published |
| Perks & restrictions | |||
| Lounge access | None | 4 domestic visits/year · ₹50,000 spend in previous 3 calendar months (waived for first 4 months on new cards) | Unlimited domestic + international · No minimum spend — show physical card at lounge (DreamFolks / Diners network) |
| UPI rewards | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) | Not supported (Visa/MC) |
| Key exclusions | Fuel · Insurance · Utilities · EMI · Rent | Fuel · Non-GPay utilities · EMI · Rent · Wallet load | EMI · Fuel · Rent · Wallet |
| Bonuses | |||
| Signup bonus | — | — | — |
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https://cardhungry.com/in/en/compare/amex-smartearn-vs-axis-ace-vs-hdfc-diners-blackMore American Express SmartEarn Credit Card comparisons
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