ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal credit card review: fees, rewards and eligibility
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal has a recorded annual fee of ₹12,499 plus GST and a base earn of 6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend. CardMasters checked its issuer terms on 2026-08-01. Affiliate commission never changes ranking; confirm final terms and approval with ICICI Bank.
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal: short answer
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal is in the super-premium tier of ICICI Bank credit cards, with a joining fee of ₹12,499, an annual fee of ₹12,499 plus GST (waived on ₹10,00,000 of eligible annual spend), a base earn of 6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend and a 2% forex markup. Rewards are not earned on fuel, rent, government, wallet load, cash advance. It suits travel, luxury, high spender spending; whether it beats a card you already hold depends on your own spend mix and redemption choices.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
Reward structure
6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend
- 3 points per ₹100 on grocery (1,000 points monthly cap)
- 3 points per ₹100 on utility (1,000 points monthly cap)
- 3 points per ₹100 on education (1,000 points monthly cap)
- 3 points per ₹100 on insurance (5,000 points monthly cap)
Eligibility and important limits
minimum age 21 The current issuer page lists this card as invitation-only and publishes no numeric income or bureau-score cutoff. Contact an ICICI Bank Relationship Manager. Approval remains solely at the issuer’s discretion.
Does not earn: fuel, rent, government, wallet load, cash advance, fees.
Important limit: ICICI publishes reward-point value as up to ₹1 depending on redemption. CardMasters uses ₹1 only when the user declares travel redemption demand; otherwise recurring reward value is zero rather than assuming an unsupported catalogue value.
Frequently asked questions
What is the annual fee for the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
The published annual fee in our current record is ₹12,499 plus applicable GST. It can be waived after ₹10,00,000 of eligible annual spend, subject to issuer terms.
How do rewards work on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend. Accelerated routes include 3 points per ₹100 on grocery (1,000 points monthly cap); 3 points per ₹100 on utility (1,000 points monthly cap); 3 points per ₹100 on education (1,000 points monthly cap); 3 points per ₹100 on insurance (5,000 points monthly cap). Reward value depends on the eligible transaction route and redemption method.
Which transactions do not earn rewards on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
The current issuer-sourced exclusions recorded by CardMasters include fuel, rent, government, wallet load, cash advance, fees. Merchant category coding and issuer terms determine final eligibility.
Who should consider the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
It is most relevant for people focused on travel, luxury, high spender. Whether it improves your wallet still depends on your actual spending, existing cards, fees and redemption choices.
Is the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal worth it?
It is worth holding only when the rewards and benefits you will genuinely use exceed ₹12,499 plus GST each year. The fee is waived at ₹10,00,000 of eligible annual spend, so check whether you reach that without forcing spend. Value the rewards at a realistic redemption rate, not the issuer's best-case example.
What is the eligibility for the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
The published minimum age is 21. ICICI Bank describes this card as invite-only. The current issuer page lists this card as invitation-only and publishes no numeric income or bureau-score cutoff. Contact an ICICI Bank Relationship Manager. Approval, credit limit and final pricing are decided solely by the issuer.
What is the forex markup on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal?
The recorded foreign-currency markup is 2% before GST. On ₹1,00,000 of international spend that is about ₹2,000 in markup, so compare it against any rewards earned on overseas transactions.
Does the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal offer airport lounge access?
Domestic lounge access: unlimited. International lounge access: unlimited (Priority Pass). Spend conditions and guest charges are set by the issuer and can change.