CardAgent
Verified by CardAgent admin · last checked 08 Jul 2026
ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

35
Ranked #61 of 170 in credit
creditMastercard/AmEx/Visa/RuPaySuper-premium

ICICI top-tier Gem Collection card (above Sapphiro/Rubyx) combining genuinely unlimited domestic+international lounge access, strong insurance and travel-cancellation protection, and lifestyle perks (golf, gym, spa discounts) — since superseded by the metal "Emeralde Private" for ultra-HNI customers.

Score breakdown

Data completeness: 100% · Last verified: 09 Jul 2026

Reward value22/100 · weight 71%
≈ 1.00% effective on the standard basket (eligible spend only)
Wide-coverage rewards: +10.0% score bonus — earns broadly without narrow category restrictions.
Fee efficiency34/100 · weight 12%
Redemption flexibility92/100 · weight 9%
Perks89/100 · weight 9%

Fees

All fees shown base + 18% GST (India card fees legally attract GST).

Joining fee
₹12,000 + 18% GST
= ₹14,160 total
Annual fee
₹12,000 + 18% GST
= ₹14,160 / year total
Waiver: Waived on Rs 10 lakh annual spend (sources conflict — some cite Rs 15 lakh); also available on monthly-fee mode (Rs 1,000/month, waived on Rs 1 lakh spend in previous month)
Forex markup
2%

Lounge access

Domestic (per year)
Unlimited
International (per year)
Unlimited

Reward structure

CategoryTypeRateCapNotes
all_spendscashback4%—4 RP per ₹100 on retail spends → ~1% effective at ₹0.25/RP statement credit
utilitiescashback2%—2 RP per ₹100 on utility spends → ~0.5% effective
insurancecashback2%—2 RP per ₹100 on insurance spends → ~0.5% effective
fuelcashback0%—No reward points on fuel spends
rentcashback0%—No reward points on rent payments
wallet_loadcashback0%—No reward points on wallet loads
governmentcashback0%—No reward points on government/tax payments

No rewards on

These categories earn zero rewards on this card. Reward score is scaled down by up to −5%, proportional to how much of the standard basket sits in the excluded categories (v4.3 formula).

FuelRentWallet loadsGovernment/tax paymentsCash advancesFees & interestRefundsExcluded MCCs

Welcome offer

Da Milano gift voucher Rs 5,000 on Rs 2 lakh spend within 60 days of card issue (per one source); Amex variant gets additional Rs 5,000 Tata CliQ voucher

Milestone benefits

Pros

  • Unlimited (not capped) domestic+international lounge access is rare even among super-premium cards, strong Rs 3 crore air accident cover, no cancellation charges on flight/hotel/movie bookings (up to Rs 12,000/year refund), 50% off Gold's Gym membership, Kaya/VLCC/Richfeel discounts, low 2% forex markup, monthly-fee payment option unique among premium cards, rewards typically-excluded utilities/insurance categories

Cons

  • FLAG — very low per-point redemption value (Rs 0.25), user reviews (BankBazaar comments) confirm spa access at airports was DISCONTINUED in 2024 despite some sources still listing it, high fee-waiver threshold (Rs 10-15L spend, sources conflict), concierge service limited to only 4 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai), superseded by newer metal "Emeralde Private" variant for even higher tier

What's inside

More benefits

  • ₹5,000 Tata CLiQ welcome voucher

    ₹5,000

    ₹5,000 Tata CLiQ e-voucher on joining (American Express variant only).

    one time.

  • Unlimited domestic airport lounge access

    Unlimited complimentary domestic lounge visits for the primary cardholder.

    yearly.

  • Unlimited international lounge access (Priority Pass)

    Complimentary Priority Pass with unlimited international lounge visits for the primary cardholder.

    yearly.

  • Golf privileges

    ₹2,000

    Up to 4 complimentary golf rounds/lessons per month — 1 benefit for every ₹50,000 retail spend in the previous month.

    monthly.

  • Travel & hotel cancellation protection

    Protection against eligible travel and hotel cancellations.

    yearly.

  • 24x7 concierge services

    Premium concierge for travel, dining and lifestyle assistance.

    yearly.

  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver

    1% fuel surcharge waiver on eligible fuel spends across all fuel stations (subject to caps).

    yearly.

  • BookMyShow BOGO

    ₹750

    Up to Rs 750 off second movie/event ticket, up to 4 times/month; no cancellation charge (max Rs 12,000/year)

    Cap ₹36,000 / monthly. Rs 25,000 spend in preceding quarter required from Apr 2026

  • Golf program

    Up to 4 complimentary golf rounds/month based on spend

  • Birthday dining voucher

    ₹7,500

    Rs 7,500 dining gift voucher from Trident Hotels on birthday

    yearly. On cardholder birthday

  • Golds Gym discount

    50% discount on annual Golds Gym membership across all states

  • Air accident insurance

    ₹3,00,00,000

    Personal accident (air accidental death) cover Rs 3 crore

    yearly.

  • i-Assist Concierge

    24x7 concierge for hotel/restaurant reservations, flight bookings, car rentals (Delhi/Mumbai/Bengaluru/Chennai only)

Insurance cover

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₹NaN

Eligibility

text
Salaried income Rs 1.5-2 lakh/month (sources vary) or self-employed ITR Rs 15-18 lakh/year; ICICI Global Private Client customers auto-eligible; CIBIL 750+

Small print

Fuel surcharge:1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India, capped Rs 250/month