Quick Verdict

  • For everyday spend including dining and online shopping, the Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ leads with its high category reward rates.
  • For grocery and fuel purchases, the RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ offers better category-specific cashback.
  • The RBL ShopRite card is cheaper to hold as it has no joining or annual fees, unlike the Axis My Zone card which charges Rs 500 each.
  • Choose Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ if you value dining rewards and occasional lounge access. Pick RBL ShopRite ⓘ for a fee-free card focused on grocery and fuel cashback.

Side by Side

DetailAxis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘRBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ
Annual feeRs 500Nil (lifetime free)
Joining feeRs 500Nil (lifetime free)
Fee waiver on spendRs 2.00 lakh annual
Reward rate0.4% base0.4% base
Reward typepointspoints
Dining category rate15% (Rs 1,500 on Rs 10,000)
Online category rate5% (Rs 500 on Rs 10,000)
Grocery category rate5% (Rs 500 on Rs 10,000)
Fuel category rate5% (Rs 500 on Rs 10,000)
Domestic lounge access4 per year (Rs 50,000 quarterly spend gate)None
International loungeNoneNone
Forex markup3.5%3.5%
Best suited fordining, first-card, cashback, shoppingcashback, grocery, fuel, shopping

Rewards Compared

The Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ offers a base reward rate of 0.4%, which means Rs 40 back on Rs 10,000 spent across general categories. However, its standout feature is the high 15% reward rate on dining spends, translating into Rs 1,500 back on Rs 10,000 spent on dining, and a 5% return on online shopping, worth Rs 500 on Rs 10,000. This makes it very attractive for users who frequently dine out or shop online.

On the other hand, the RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ provides the same 0.4% base reward of Rs 40 on Rs 10,000 spend. Its category rewards are focused on grocery and fuel, offering 5% back in each category, which equates to Rs 500 on Rs 10,000 spent. This card is best for users whose primary expenses are groceries and fuel, making it a solid choice for practical, everyday essential spending.

Fees Compared

The Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ card charges a joining fee and annual fee of Rs 500 each, totaling Rs 1,000 in the first year and Rs 500 annually thereafter. The fee waiver is not specified, so holders must factor these fees into their cost-benefit calculations. According to the derived data, the card needs about Rs 1,25,000 annual spend at the base rate to cover its annual fee purely from rewards.

Contrastingly, the RBL ShopRite ⓘ card has no joining or annual fee, making it cost-free to hold. It has a fee waiver on spend set at Rs 2.00 lakh annually, but since fees are zero, the waiver is effectively irrelevant. The monthly equivalent of this waiver is Rs 16,667, but this applies only if the card did have fees. This makes RBL ShopRite a no-strings-attached option for cost-conscious users.

Which One Should You Pick

If you are a first-time card user or someone who spends heavily on dining and online shopping, the Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ is the better pick. Its high category reward rates for dining make it a lucrative choice, plus it offers four domestic lounge visits per year if you meet quarterly spend gates. However, those who dislike paying annual fees or want a card that pays for itself easily through rewards might find its Rs 500 annual fee off-putting.

The RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ is ideal for everyday spenders focused on groceries and fuel who want a zero-fee card. Its straightforward cashback structure and no fee make it a budget-friendly option without the stress of fee waivers. However, those seeking dining rewards or lounge access will find it lacking.

In summary, pick Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ if your spending is dining and online-heavy with occasional travel perks, and pick RBL ShopRite ⓘ for a free, no-frills card optimized for grocery and fuel expenses. Avoid Axis My Zone if fees are a dealbreaker and skip RBL ShopRite if you want premium rewards on dining or lounges.

What to Check Before You Apply

  • Confirm the quarterly Rs 50,000 spend gate for domestic lounges on Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ, as missing this limits lounge access.
  • Check if category rewards on Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ apply only on selected merchant codes or platforms.
  • For RBL ShopRite ⓘ, verify the Rs 2 lakh fee waiver spend since fees are zero, to understand if it affects any other benefits.
  • Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup, which is standard but expensive for frequent international spenders.
  • Lounge access for Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ is only domestic; no international lounges are included. RBL ShopRite ⓘ offers none.

FAQ

What is the base reward rate for both cards?+
Both the Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ and the RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ offer a base reward rate of 0.4%, which means Rs 40 back on every Rs 10,000 spent in general categories.
Does the Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ provide lounge access?+
Yes, it offers four domestic lounge visits per year, but only if you spend at least Rs 50,000 per quarter on the card. No international lounges are included.
Are there any joining or annual fees for these cards?+
The Axis Bank My Zone Credit Card ⓘ charges Rs 500 as both joining and annual fees, whereas the RBL Bank ShopRite Credit Card ⓘ has no joining or annual fees, making it a lifetime free card.
How do the category rewards differ between the two cards?+
Axis Bank My Zone ⓘ excels in dining rewards with 15% cashback and 5% on online spends, while RBL ShopRite ⓘ focuses on grocery and fuel categories with 5% cashback on each.
Is the forex markup competitive on these cards?+
Both cards charge a 3.5% forex markup on foreign currency transactions, which is the standard rate in India but relatively high for frequent international travelers.