The Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a premium credit card by ICICI Bank launched in the second half of 2023 , which comes with a high joining fee of Rs. 12,499 + GST. This card gives you 3% reward points every time you spend, whether online or offline. The Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a super-premium and invite-only card, meaning the bank selects and invites individuals to apply for it.
The most unique feature of this credit card is that it provides unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access.
Another good feature of this card is the waiver of green fees at 4 selected golf courses in India. It also offers insurance coverage on credit shield cover and lost card liability, along with a 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
1 ICICI Reward Point is valued between INR 0.40 and INR 1.00, depending on redemption.
Table of Contents
Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: Fees
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Issuer | ICICI Bank |
| Card Type | Reward Points |
| Joining Fee | INR 12,499 + GST |
| Annual Fee | INR 12,499 + GST (Reversed on spending INR 10 lakh in a year) |
| Joining & Annual Bonus | 12,500 reward points every year. |
| Add-on Card Fee | Nil |
| Fuel Benefit | 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to INR 1,000 per month) |
| Best Suited For | Lifestyle & Entertainment |
| Reward Rate | 3% |
Joining & Other Key Benefits
- As a joining benefit, you will get Taj Epicure Plus Membership and EazyDiner Prime Membership for one year.
- Get 12,500 ICICI Bank reward points as a joining and annual bonus. You will receive these reward points every year.
- Enjoy unlimited golf rounds with zero green fee every month for primary cardmembers only.
- On BookMyShow, when you buy one movie ticket, you get up to INR 750 off on the second movie ticket. This offer is available two times a month.
- Get INR 3 crore air accidental insurance cover, INR 84,000 loss of checked-in baggage cover, and plane hijacking cover of INR 75,000.
- In case of flight delay, you will receive INR 17,500.
- No cancellation charges: There are zero cancellation charges for the first two domestic flights, hotel bookings, and movie tickets, for a maximum of up to INR 12,000. Valid only for 4-star and 5-star hotels.
- Get dining discounts with the Culinary Treats Programe.
- Enjoy a 1% fuel surcharge waiver (maximum INR 1,000 per month).
Milestone Benefits
- After spending INR 8 lakh annually, you will get 2 EaseMyTrip travel vouchers worth INR 6,000 (INR 3,000 each).
- Get the first EaseMyTrip travel voucher on spending INR 4 lakh and the second on spending INR 8 lakh.
- You can redeem these vouchers on the www.easemytrip.com website or app.
Reward Points with Capping on Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
You can redeem ICICI reward points for Health & Beauty, Travel & Luggage, Shopping Vouchers, Home Appliances, Electronics, Fashion & Lifestyle.
| SPEND CATEGORIES | REWARDS | CAPPING |
|---|---|---|
| Utility spend | 3% (6 RP/INR200 spend) | INR 1,000 / statement cycle |
| Insurance spend | 3% (6 RP/INR200 spend) | INR 5,000 / statement cycle |
| Grocery | 3% (6 RP/INR200 spend) | INR 1,000 / statement cycle |
| Education | 3% (6 RP/INR200 spend) | INR 1,000 / statement cycle |
| Rent payment, Fuel and Goverment payment | Zero |
- 1 ICICI reward point value is INR 1
- A maximum of 50,000 reward points can be redeemed per statement against the statement balance.
Value of the Reward Points
| Redemption Category | Value of Reward Points (INR) |
|---|---|
| Flights and Hotel Vouchers | 1 |
| Apple, Tanishq, Tumi, and Mother Care vouchers | 1 |
| Rewards for other products | 0.6 |
| Against Statement Credit | 0.4 |
Lounge Access for Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
This credit card will provide you unlimited airport lounge access for primary and add-on card holder.
| Lounge Type | Access |
|---|---|
| International Airport Lounge Program | Unlimited |
| Domestic Airport Lounge Program | Unlimited |
- Click here to find the international lounges.
- Click here for a list of Domestic Airport lounges.
Other Fees & Charges for Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
| Charge Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Cash Advance-Transaction Fee | Nil |
| Card Replacement Fee | INR 3,500 |
| Reward Handling Fee | Nil |
| Foreign currency transactions markup Fee | 2% |
| Card Validation Charges (lounges within India) | INR 2 shall be taken |
| Finance Charges | 3.75% interest every month |
| ATM Withdrawal | 3.75% interest every month |
| Card Liability Cover | INR 50,000 |
Late Payment Charges (LPC)
Late payment charges range from INR 100 to INR 1300 for Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card.
Eligibility & Documents Required
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is an invite-only credit card, which means the bank will approach you by sending an invitation via email or your relationship manager will call you.
On the bank’s website, you will not find any particular eligibility criteria for this credit card, but to qualify for it, you typically need the following:
- For salaried individuals: Minimum salary of INR 2.5 lakh per month.
- For self-employed: ITR of INR 40 lakh or above.
- If you already have a credit card with a limit of more than INR 10 lakh, then you can try for it.
- If you already have the ICICI Emeralde credit card, then you can apply for an upgrade.
Documents needed: identity proof, address proof, and income proof.
No physical documents are required.
Pros and Cons
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| Unlimited lounge access (domestic + international) | High joining/annual fee |
| 3% reward rate | Invite-only (limited availability) |
| Free golf rounds | Reward points have category capping |
| High-value insurance cover |
Verdict: Should You Get the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
If you are invited by the bank, then yes, consider this credit card. Although the joining fee is very high, you are also getting 12,500 reward points, so the joining fee is compensated.
1 ICICI Reward Point = INR 1
Yes, you are getting 3% reward points, but that alone may not be sufficient to justify such a high joining fee.
You can consider another credit card like the Yes Bank Marquee Credit Card.
How reward points can be redeemed for Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
You can redeem reward points via imobile application and internet banking for movies, travel vouchers, lifestyle products, mobile phone and appliances.
Is the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card available to everyone?
No, this card is invite-only. You cannot apply for it directly through the bank’s website. ICICI Bank shortlists individuals based on income, credit history, or banking relationship and sends them an invitation through email or via a relationship manager.
What is the joining and annual fee of this card?
The joining and annual fee is INR 12,499 + GST. However, the annual fee is reversed if your yearly spending is INR 10 lakh or more.
What do I get as a welcome or annual benefit?
You get 12,500 reward points every year as a joining and renewal benefit. Additionally, you get Taj Epicure Plus Membership and EazyDiner Prime Membership for one year.
What are the main reward point benefits?
You earn 3% reward points (6 reward points per ₹200 spent) on most categories. However, there are monthly capping limits on categories like utility, insurance, groceries, and education.
What is the value of ICICI reward points?
INR 1 for premium redemptions like travel and luxury brands
INR 0.60 for general product rewards
INR 0.40 for statement credit
You can redeem up to 50,000 points per billing cycle toward your statement.
What entertainment benefits do I get?
You get the BookMyShow Buy 1 Get 1 offer, where you can save up to INR 750 on the second movie ticket. This offer is available twice a month.
What kind of insurance coverage does this card provide?
The card comes with high-value insurance, including:
INR 3 crore air accident cover
INR 84,000 for loss of checked-in baggage
INR 75,000 hijack distress cover
INR17,500 compensation for flight delays
Free cancellation protection up to INR 12,000 for flight/hotel/movie bookings