Axis ACE is the only card that rewards your electricity bill at 5%. Everyone else gives you 1% or nothing.
Last updated June 4, 2026 · By Ash K · 7 min read
The clear winner: Axis ACE Credit Card
The Axis ACE is the only major Indian credit card that puts utility bills in its top reward category at 5% cashback. Every other card either excludes utility bills from high-reward categories or caps them at 1 to 2%.
The 5% applies to electricity, broadband, and gas when paid via Google Pay Bill Pay. This covers the majority of Indian household bills routed through BBPS.
How BBPS works and why payment route matters
BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) is RBI's centralised bill payment network. When you pay your electricity bill through Paytm, PhonePe, Google Pay, or any bank app, it almost certainly routes through BBPS.
The critical detail is that the merchant category code (MCC) of your transaction changes depending on how you route it. Paying directly on your electricity provider's website may register as a different MCC than paying via Google Pay Bill Pay.
| Payment Route | MCC Assigned | Axis ACE Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Google Pay Bill Pay | Utilities (5491) | 5% cashback |
| Paytm (BBPS route) | Varies by biller | 2% (usually) |
| Direct on DISCOM website | Utilities or Govt | 2% (usually) |
| Bank's own netbanking | Bill Payment | 2% or 0% |
How other popular cards handle utility bills
Annual cashback calculation for a typical household
| Bill Category | Monthly Spend | Axis ACE (5%) | HDFC Millennia (1%) | Amazon Pay ICICI (2%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | ₹1,500 | ₹75 | ₹15 | ₹30 |
| Mobile postpaid x2 | ₹700 | ₹35 | ₹7 | ₹14 |
| Broadband | ₹600 | ₹30 | ₹6 | ₹12 |
| Gas/PNG | ₹400 | ₹20 | ₹4 | ₹8 |
| Monthly total | ₹3,200 | ₹160 | ₹32 | ₹64 |
| Annual total | ₹38,400 | ₹1,920 | ₹384 | ₹768 |
After Axis ACE annual fee (₹499): net benefit = ₹1,421. After HDFC Millennia annual fee (₹1,000): net benefit = negative ₹616 for bills alone.
Setting up autopay for maximum reward and zero missed payments
The single best thing you can do after getting an Axis ACE is to set up autopay for every recurring bill. This ensures you earn 5% every single month without logging in.
Monthly bill payment calendar for maximum reward
| Bill Due Date | Bill Type | Pay via | Card to Use | Expected Cashback |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st to 5th | Electricity | Google Pay Bill Pay | Axis ACE | 5% |
| 7th to 10th | Mobile (postpaid) | Google Pay Bill Pay | Axis ACE | 5% |
| 10th to 15th | Broadband | Google Pay Bill Pay | Axis ACE | 5% |
| 15th to 20th | Piped gas / LPG | Google Pay Bill Pay | Axis ACE | 5% |
| Any | Amazon subscriptions | Amazon Pay ICICI direct | Amazon Pay ICICI | 2% |
Three things to do this week
- Apply for the Axis ACE credit card if you don't have it. Annual fee pays for itself in 3 months of household bills.
- Set up Google Pay Bill Pay for all your utilities, with Axis ACE as the payment card.
- Use our Smart Swipe tool to confirm your other spend categories are optimised too.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
Which credit card gives the most cashback on electricity bill payment in India?+
Axis ACE gives 5% cashback on electricity bill payments made via the Google Pay or ACE credit card utility category. No other major Indian credit card offers this rate on utility bills as of June 2026.
What is BBPS and does my credit card work on it?+
BBPS (Bharat Bill Payment System) is RBI's centralised bill payment network that connects all utility providers. Most credit cards work on BBPS, but the reward rate may differ from direct payment. Some cards that give 5% on direct utility payments give only 1% or nothing on BBPS transactions.
Does Axis ACE give 5% on all utility bills or only specific ones?+
Axis ACE gives 5% on utility payments classified under electricity, gas, and broadband when paid via Google Pay Bill Pay or other qualifying routes. DTH, water bills, and municipal taxes may be categorised differently and earn a lower rate. Always verify the MCC code of your specific biller.
Does Amazon Pay ICICI give cashback on bill payments?+
Amazon Pay ICICI gives 2% cashback on bill payments made through Amazon Pay Bill Pay. If you pay bills directly on the utility provider's website or via other apps, the rate drops to 1%. The 2% applies when Amazon Pay is the payment gateway.
Should I set up autopay for bills on my credit card?+
Yes, with one condition: make sure your credit card's autopay is set up before your billing cycle closes, and your card has enough available limit. Autopay ensures you never miss payments, earn rewards every cycle, and build consistent payment history.
Can I pay my mobile postpaid bill and earn 5% cashback?+
With Axis ACE, mobile bills paid via Google Pay Bill Pay may qualify for the 5% utility category. However, this depends on the merchant category code assigned by your telecom provider. Check the Axis Bank website for the confirmed list of qualifying utility categories.
What is the annual cashback I can realistically earn on household bills?+
A typical Indian household paying ₹3,000/month in electricity, broadband, and mobile bills earns ₹1,800/year at 5% (Axis ACE). That comfortably covers the ₹499 annual card fee and leaves ₹1,301 in net benefit.