Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spending, both the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ and Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ offer a base reward rate of 1%, making them comparable in general rewards.
  • The Adani One Signature Card ⓘ excels in travel-related rewards with a 7% return on travel spends and strong premium benefits but has higher fees and a lower waiver threshold.
  • The Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ provides superior lounge access both domestically and internationally and charges a lower forex markup of 1.5%, making it better for frequent travellers and overseas spenders.
  • The Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ is cheaper to hold for those who can meet its high spend waiver threshold, while the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ has a lower waiver threshold but a higher fee.
  • Choose the Adani One Signature Card ⓘ if you prioritise premium travel perks and vouchers; pick the Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ if you want better lounge access, forex benefits, and a broader rewards focus including groceries and online spends.

Side by Side

DetailAdani One Signature Credit Card ⓘAxis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ
Annual feeRs 5,000Rs 3,000
Joining feeRs 5,000Rs 3,000
Fee waiver on spendRs 2.00 lakhRs 10.00 lakh
Reward rate1% base, 7% travel, 3.5% utilities1% base, 4% grocery, 2% online
Reward typepointspoints
Domestic lounge4 per year8 per year (with Rs 50,000 annual spend gate)
International loungeNone4 per year
Forex markup3.5%1.5%
Best suited fortravel, lounge, rewardsrewards, grocery, lounge, travel, shopping

Rewards Compared

On a Rs 10,000 general spend, both the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ and Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ return Rs 100 in rewards, reflecting their identical base reward rates of 1%. However, where they differ significantly is in category spend. The Adani One Signature Card ⓘ offers a substantial 7% return on travel-related expenses, equating to Rs 700 back on Rs 10,000 travel spend, making it highly attractive for frequent travellers. It also offers a 3.5% return on utilities spend, which is a niche but valuable category.

The Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ, meanwhile, targets everyday categories such as grocery and online shopping, providing 4% (Rs 400 on Rs 10,000) on grocery and 2% (Rs 200) on online spends. This broader category coverage suits shoppers and those with routine expenses spread across groceries and online portals rather than premium travel benefits. Both cards maintain the same base rate, but the Axis Bank Select's ⓘ category returns are more moderate compared to the Adani One Signature's ⓘ travel focus.

Fees Compared

The Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ demands a higher joining fee and annual fee of Rs 5,000 each, but the fee is waived if you spend Rs 2.00 lakh annually, which breaks down to about Rs 16,667 per month. This lower waiver threshold can be achievable for mid-level spenders who want to enjoy premium travel benefits without paying the fee.

In contrast, the Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ charges Rs 3,000 for both joining and annual fees but requires a substantially higher spend of Rs 10.00 lakh per year (about Rs 83,333 per month) to waive the fee. This makes it more suited for high spenders who can consistently meet this threshold to keep costs down. The break-even spend to cover the annual fees at base reward rates is around Rs 5.00 lakh for Adani One Signature ⓘ and Rs 3.00 lakh for Axis Bank Select ⓘ, reflecting the latter’s lower fee burden.

Which One Should You Pick

Choose the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ if you are a travel enthusiast who will benefit from the 7% travel rewards, hotel and flight vouchers, and premium lounge and concierge services. It suits those who want to maximise points on travel and utilities and can comfortably spend Rs 2 lakh annually to waive fees. If you rarely travel or cannot meet the waiver, the fees may be too high.

Pick the Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ if your spend is more diversified across groceries, online shopping, and travel, and you place high value on frequent access to both domestic and international lounges. Its low forex markup also makes it preferable for overseas transactions. However, the high waiver threshold means it is best for heavy spenders. Those with moderate spends or who do not prioritise lounges should look elsewhere.

In a direct comparison, if you want premium travel perks and can meet the Rs 2 lakh waiver spend, the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ is the better pick. For broader category rewards, superior lounge access, and lower forex fees, and if you can meet the higher spend waiver, the Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ wins.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Verify if the premium lounge access on the Adani One Signature Card ⓘ requires quarterly spend gates or other conditions beyond the stated 4 visits per year.
  • Confirm the redemption value of points and whether vouchers are restricted to specific partners or have blackout dates.
  • Evaluate if your monthly spend consistently meets the fee waiver threshold to avoid paying high annual fees.
  • Consider the impact of forex markup fees, especially if you travel internationally or shop frequently in foreign currency.
  • Check the availability and location of lounges accessible through both cards, as international lounge access is limited on the Adani One Signature Card ⓘ.

FAQ

What is the base reward rate on both cards?+
Both the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ and the Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ offer a base reward rate of 1%, meaning you earn Rs 100 back for every Rs 10,000 spent.
How do the category rewards compare?+
The Adani One Signature Card ⓘ offers a high 7% return on travel and 3.5% on utilities, while the Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ provides 4% on grocery and 2% on online spending, appealing to different spending habits.
What are the lounge access benefits?+
Adani One Signature Card ⓘ offers 4 domestic lounge visits per year with some premium upgrades but no international lounges; Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ provides 8 domestic and 4 international lounge visits annually, subject to Rs 50,000 annual domestic lounge spend.
How does the fee waiver work on these cards?+
The Adani One Signature Card ⓘ waives fees with Rs 2.00 lakh annual spend (about Rs 16,667 monthly), whereas the Axis Bank Select Card ⓘ requires Rs 10.00 lakh annual spend (around Rs 83,333 monthly) to waive its annual fees.
Which card is better for forex transactions?+
The Axis Bank Select Credit Card ⓘ is better for forex spend with a 1.5% markup, significantly lower than the 3.5% charged by the Adani One Signature Credit Card ⓘ.