Priority Pass
ICICI Bank
Emeralde
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium financial product crafted specifically for high-income earners seeking a robust suite of travel and lifestyle privileges. Although the card has been succeeded by a higher-tier metal variant (the ICICI Emeralde Private), the standard Emeralde still holds solid appeal.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 7 June 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹12,000
Joining Fee
₹12,000
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹10,00,000 annually
Lounge Access
Unlimited lounge access
Forex Markup
2%
Effective Yield
1% – 12%
Our Take
CreditGully Rating
Based on CreditGully editors' analysis. Not influenced by card issuers.
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium financial product crafted specifically for high-income earners seeking a robust suite of travel and lifestyle privileges. Although the card has been succeeded by a higher-tier metal variant (the ICICI Emeralde Private), the standard Emeralde still holds solid appeal. It is particularly known for allowing users to earn reward points on everyday spending categories like insurance and utilities, which are frequently excluded from earning structures on competing cards.
This card distinguishes itself by offering key luxury travel benefits, including unlimited domestic and international lounge access and a reduced forex markup rate of 2%. Entertainment and leisure perks are also well represented, highlighted by complimentary monthly golf rounds and a substantial Buy One Get One free movie ticket offer via BookMyShow. However, potential cardholders should note its low point value of Rs. 0.25 and limited redemption channels when compared to other premium cards in the market.
Ultimately, this card is best suited for individuals with high annual spend levels who can easily hit the Rs. 10 Lakh threshold required to waive the annual fee. It works exceptionally well as a secondary card alongside an entry-level reward card, allowing users to maximize premium lifestyle advantages like concierge services, extensive insurance coverage, and golf benefits.
What We Like
We especially like the card's unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access coupled with a low foreign exchange markup of 2%. Additionally, the ability to earn reward points on utility and insurance expenses up to Rs. 80,000 is a highly practical benefit that many premium cards do not offer.
Pros
- ✓Provides unlimited access to domestic and international airport lounges
- ✓Allows cardholders to earn rewards on utility bill and insurance premium payments
- ✓Features a low foreign exchange markup fee of 2%
- ✓Offers an attractive Buy 1 Get 1 free deal on movie tickets through BookMyShow
Cons
- ✗Presents a low reward redemption value of only Rs. 0.25 per point
- ✗Requires a high spend threshold of Rs. 50,000 in the previous month to unlock complimentary golf rounds
- ✗Limits the Rs. 5,000 Tata CLiQ birthday shopping voucher to American Express cardholders
- ✗Has limited reward redemption choices and does not offer air miles conversion benefits
Get This Card If
- ✓You own other credit cards with a good reward rate
- ✓You do not mind shifting to iShop for your travel and shopping spends
- ✓You prefer reward redemption against product catalogue instead of airmiles or statement credit
- ✓You can spend around Rs. 10 Lakh every year to avail the fee waiver
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Spends (Domestic & Intl) | 4 Reward Points (RP) per ₹100 | 1.00% | No Upper Cap |
| iShop Portal (Accelerated) | Up to 48 RP per ₹100 | 12.00% | Varies by Merchant |
| Utilities & Insurance | 1 RP per ₹100 | 0.25% | No Upper Cap on points |
| Excluded Categories | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹15 Lakh | Fee Waiver | ₹12,000 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived for the next year upon hitting ₹15 Lakhs annual spend. |
| ₹1 Lakh | Monthly Fee Waiver | ₹1,000 + GST Savings | For users on the 'Monthly Plan', the ₹1,000 fee is waived if ₹1L is spent in that month. |
| ₹0 Lakh | Birthday Perk | ₹5,000 Dining Voucher | Complimentary dining voucher from TATA Cliq on your birthday. |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Rewards Catalogue / Vouchers | ₹0.25 per point4:1 Ratio | Moderate (Vouchers for Taj, Apple, etc. are common choices) |
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, Rent, and E-wallet loading transactions do not earn reward points.
Welcome Offer
Birthday Benefit
Shopping voucher from TATA CLiQ worth ₹5,000 (American Express Cardholders)
Lounge Access
Priority PassUnlimited International Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary access to international airport lounges worldwide via Priority Pass.
Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges across India
Travel Benefits
Low Forex Markup
Discounted foreign currency markup of 2% on all international transactions.
Air Accident Insurance
Complimentary air accident insurance cover up to ₹3 Crore.
Golf Benefits
Complimentary Golf Rounds
Get upto 4 rounds of complimentary golf rounds every month basis eligible spends
Milestone Benefits
Annual Fee Waiver
Renewal fee is waived if spends exceed ₹10,00,000 in the previous membership year.
Additional Features
Movie Benefits
Buy one get one free offer on movie and event tickets on BookMyShow, up to 4 times a month (maximum discount ₹750 per ticket). Note: You can enjoy the BookMyShow offer on your Credit Card by spending ₹ 25,000 or more in the preceding quarter.
24/7 Concierge
Dedicated lifestyle concierge for assistance with travel bookings, hotel reservations, and gifting.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹12,000 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹12,000 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹10,00,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 2% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Salaried
Age > 21 years, Monthly Income > ₹ 1.5 Lakhs
Self-Employed
Age > 21 years, Annual Income > ₹ 18 Lakhs
Ready to apply for Emeralde?
Annual fee: ₹12,000 · Waived on ₹10,00,000 spend
Frequently Asked Questions
Annual fee
₹12,000
1% – 12% yield