ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal vs IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)
A field-by-field comparison of fees, reward rates, accelerated categories, caps, exclusions, lounge access and forex markup, using each issuer's own published terms. Affiliate payout never decides the verdict.
Short answer
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal and IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) differ first on recurring cost: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal has an annual fee of ₹12,499 + GST against ₹12,500 for IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal), so ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal is cheaper to hold. On rewards, ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal earns 6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend while IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) earns 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends. IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) has the lower forex markup at 0%. Neither card wins outright: the better choice depends on which accelerated categories match your spend, the monthly caps, the exclusions and issuer approval fit.
Source: CardMasters issuer-evidence catalogue, release 2026-08-01. Confirm final terms with the issuer.
| Feature | ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal | IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | ICICI Bank | IDFC FIRST Bank |
| Joining fee | ₹12,499 + GST | ₹12,500 |
| Annual fee | ₹12,499 + GST | ₹12,500 |
| Fee waiver | ₹10,00,000 annual eligible spend | No waiver recorded |
| Base rewards | 6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend | 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends |
| Accelerated routes | grocery · utility · education | hotels via IDFC FIRST app · flights via IDFC FIRST app |
| Reward exclusions | fuel, rent, government, wallet load, cash advance, fees | fuel, emi, fees, loan, balance transfer, cash withdrawal |
| Forex markup | 2% | 0% |
| Domestic lounge | unlimited | 4 visits/quarter |
| International lounge | unlimited (Priority Pass) | 4 visits/quarter |
| Card networks | Mastercard | Visa |
| Best suited to | travel, luxury, high spender | travel, premium, forex free |
| Issuer evidence | Checked 2026-08-01 | Checked 2026-07-16 |
Frequently asked questions
Is the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal better than the IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
Neither is universally better. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal charges ₹12,499 + GST a year and earns 6 Reward Points per ₹200 on eligible retail spend; IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) charges ₹12,500 and earns 5 RP/₹150 on eligible spends. The better card is the one whose accelerated categories, caps and exclusions match your actual spending, after subtracting the annual fee and GST.
Which of the two has the lower annual fee, ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal or IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal has the lower recorded annual fee at ₹12,499 + GST. A spend-based waiver may reduce the effective cost of the other card, so check the waiver threshold before deciding.
Which is better for international spending, ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal or IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal)?
IDFC FIRST Bank Gaj (Metal) publishes the lower forex markup at 0% versus 2%. Also confirm whether international transactions earn rewards, since some issuers exclude them.
Can I hold both cards together?
Yes, provided each is approved on its own merits and you can pay both statements in full. Holding both makes sense only when their accelerated categories do not overlap; otherwise the second card adds an annual fee without adding rewards.