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ICICI Bank
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- Joining fee incl. GST
- ₹14,160
- Renewal fee incl. GST
- ₹14,160
- Conditional welcome value
- —
- Forex markup
- 2%
- Interest p.a.
- 45%
- Min income (salaried)
- ₹1,50,000/mo
How this card earns
Reward rates with their qualifying conditions and caps. Use the calculator for a combined estimate.
Calculation coverage is still under review for this card. A recorded benefit does not mean every condition has been included in the estimate.
What still needs confirmation
- Reward ceilings, transaction rounding and detailed annual qualifying-spend exclusions remain unverified; point values are comparison assumptions.
| Spend category | Reward rate | Reward limit |
|---|---|---|
Utilities & bills 1 ICICI Reward Point per ₹100 on utilities/insurance; point value ≈ ₹0.25 | 0.25% | Unverified |
Insurance 1 ICICI Reward Point per ₹100; point value ≈ ₹0.25 | 0.25% | Unverified |
| Other eligible purchases | 1% | — |
Excluded from ordinary earning: Fuel, Rent. Specific qualifying offers, if any, are listed above.
Rates apply only to the merchants and conditions described. Shared ceilings cannot be added across rows. Points and vouchers are valued at the stated redemption assumption; use the spending calculator for a combined estimate.
Fees & charges
Key benefits
- 4 ICICI Reward Points per ₹100 on domestic and international retail spends (≈1% value-back)
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on utilities and insurance
- A round or lesson of golf for every ₹50,000 of retail spend in the previous calendar month, up to 4 per month, credited by the 10th of the following month and usable for two months
- Buy-one-get-one (up to ₹750 off) on BookMyShow movie tickets, up to 4 times/month - from 01 April 2026 this requires ₹25,000 of spend in the preceding spends quarter, and add-on cardholders must each spend ₹25,000 separately
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations (₹400–₹4,000)
- Air accident insurance cover of up to ₹3 crore
- Twice a year, no cancellation charges on domestic flight and hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000
- 24x7 concierge services
- The ₹5,000 Tata CLiQ birthday voucher applies only to eligible American Express variants; it is not a universal joining bonus.
What we like
- +Unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access
- +Strong travel, golf and lifestyle benefits
- +Reduced 2% foreign currency markup
What to watch
- −High ₹12,000 annual fee with a steep ₹10 lakh waiver threshold
- −Base reward value-back of only ~1% is modest for the fee
- −Standard Emeralde and Private Metal have different fees and benefits
Our full review
The standard Emeralde card’s reward rate and benefits should be assessed against its ₹14,160 annual fee including GST. It is a separate product from Emeralde Private Metal, so do not borrow that variant’s welcome benefits or earning rates.
Reviewed by Thompson Cherian · how we rate cards · all card reviews
Who this is for, and who should skip it
A customer who can use the standard card’s lounge and other benefits and qualifies for the actual offer. It is not a natural starting point for someone seeking uncomplicated cashback on a modest budget.
What the issuer terms say
ICICI’s standard Emeralde page publishes 4 Reward Points per ₹100 on ordinary eligible retail purchases and 1 point per ₹100 on utilities and insurance. At ₹0.25 a point, these are 1% and 0.25%. A utility payment must not be modelled at the ordinary retail rate. Reward ceilings and redemption costs still need to be checked for the selected route.
What it earns you — the maths
These are total monthly budgets, not necessarily amounts charged entirely to this card. They repeat for a full year, with card bills paid in full. UPI is separate from the other categories; a non-RuPay card earns nothing on that part. No specific shopping app, bill-payment channel or travel portal is assumed. Select those in the calculator if you use them. Annual reward value is expressed in rupees, not in points.
| Profile | Monthly budget | Annual reward value (₹) | First-year net value | Renewal-year net value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday spender | ₹35,000 | ₹2,760 | ₹-11,400 | ₹-11,400 |
| Online-first shopper | ₹55,000 | ₹5,190 | ₹-8,970 | ₹-8,970 |
| Frequent traveller | ₹1,10,000 | ₹9,720 | ₹-4,440 | ₹9,720 |
Reading the table: a negative net value is a cost. First year = rewards + eligible first-year milestones − joining fee including GST. Renewal year = rewards + eligible annual milestones − renewal fee including GST, with a modelled spend waiver where earned. Welcome offers are excluded until their conditions are confirmed. Milestone vouchers are assumed usable at face value; reduce their value if you would not use them.
- Everyday spender, renewal year: ₹2,760 reward value + ₹0 milestones − ₹14,160 fee = ₹-11,400.
- Online-first shopper, renewal year: ₹5,190 reward value + ₹0 milestones − ₹14,160 fee = ₹-8,970.
- Frequent traveller, renewal year: ₹9,720 reward value + ₹0 milestones − ₹0 fee (spend waiver met) = ₹9,720.
The monthly splits, in the order groceries / online shopping / dining / fuel / travel / bills / UPI, are:
- Everyday spender: ₹9,000 / ₹7,000 / ₹4,000 / ₹3,000 / ₹2,000 / ₹4,000 / ₹6,000.
- Online-first shopper: ₹8,000 / ₹22,000 / ₹8,000 / ₹3,000 / ₹4,000 / ₹5,000 / ₹5,000.
- Frequent traveller: ₹12,000 / ₹15,000 / ₹12,000 / ₹6,000 / ₹40,000 / ₹8,000 / ₹17,000.
Points are converted at the comparison values, which can differ from cash redemption. These estimates exclude redemption fees, transaction rounding, refunds, financing costs and benefits such as lounges or insurance. Merchant exclusions and transaction timing can change the result.
Provisional calculation: some earning conditions or ceilings for this card remain under review. The figures are a comparison estimate, not a complete forecast or a guaranteed saving.
The fee and renewal decision
The standard joining fee is ₹12,000 + GST = ₹14,160. The standard renewal fee is ₹12,000 + GST = ₹14,160. Renewal fee waived on more than ₹1,000,000 annual eligible spending. Confirm excluded transactions in account terms. A welcome voucher is a restricted benefit, not an automatic refund of the fee or GST. Compare the first-year cost separately from the cost of renewal. Check your own offer if it says lifetime free or first year free.
The important conditions
The ₹12,000 annual fee is ₹14,160 including GST, with renewal relief at qualifying annual spend of ₹10 lakh under the standard terms. Golf, movies and lounge benefits each have their own conditions. We do not assign a generic Tata CLiQ or hotel welcome package from another Emeralde variant to this card.
Alternatives
HDFC Regalia Gold has a lower fee and voucher-based benefits. Axis Atlas may suit qualifying travel purchases.
How we verified this
This is a desk review of issuer material, not a claim of first-hand card ownership. We have removed unsupported generalisations about what other holders report. This review was corrected on 10 September 2026 for the claims discussed above. A review update is not certification of every benefit or future offer. Unresolved calculation coverage is labelled in the examples. Use the issuer’s dated notice or your specific offer where it differs from a general product page.
The linked issuer material above supports the key earning or eligibility claims. The card’s full details and source list include its other published terms. Our methodology separates editorial opinions from calculated estimates. No customer-review average is claimed.
That is our full read on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card. The terms are ICICI Bank's to change — check the current ones on their page before you apply.
Apply on ICICI Bank →If you apply through our link, we may earn a commission from the issuer at no extra cost to you. It never affects our ratings — how we make money.
Frequently asked
Is Emeralde the same as Emeralde Private Metal?
No. Verify the exact variant before using a reward rate, fee or welcome offer. This review and calculation concern the standard Emeralde record.
Do these examples include GST and welcome benefits?
Standard joining and renewal fees include 18% GST in the calculations. First year deducts the joining fee once; renewal year deducts the renewal fee after a modelled spend waiver. Unconfirmed welcome offers are excluded.
Are reward values the same as cash in my bank account?
Not necessarily. Statement cashback, Amazon Pay balance, points, miles and vouchers have different redemption rules. Use the value of the redemption you will actually make, and subtract its charges.
Can I rely on the example to predict my exact statement?
No. It is a monthly estimate with stated assumptions, not a transaction-by-transaction simulation. Merchant codes, caps, excluded payments, refunds, statement dates and rounding can change the result. Use the calculator with your own spending and confirm the issuer’s current terms before applying or renewing.
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