Axis Citi Rewards vs HSBC Cashback
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
Axis Citi Rewards Credit Card wins 2 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.4/10 vs 8.2/10.
| Feature | Axis Citi Rewards | HSBC Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,000 | ₹999 |
| Base Reward Rate | 0.5% | 1.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 10% | 10% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic Lounges | 8 | 1 |
| International Lounges | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
When to Choose Axis Citi Rewards
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹2L/year
- Airport lounge access matters — 8 domestic visits
- Your primary spend is: online-shopping, general
When to Choose HSBC Cashback
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹2L/year
- Your primary spend is: cashback, online-shopping
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on Axis Citi Rewards's ₹1,000 fee at 0.5% rewards, spend ₹16,667/month.
To break even on HSBC Cashback's ₹999 fee at 1.5% rewards, spend ₹5,550/month.