ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card Review

General Information

Our Rating: 9.2/10

Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000 + GST (per month)

Annual Fee: Rs. 1,000 + GST (per month)

Best For: Movies Travel Shopping

Rewards and Benefits

Type of Rewards: Reward Points

Welcome Offers: N/A

Entertainment and Dining: A discount of up to Rs. 750 on BookMyShow second movie/event ticket onwards (max 4 tickets per month), no cancellation charge on movie ticket cancellation (max benefit of Rs. 12,000 per year), a minimum discount of 15% at partnered restaurants under the I

Shopping Perks: 4 RPs on every Rs. 100 spent on all transactions (except fuel, utilities and insurance categories) and 1 RP on every purchase of Rs. 100 on insurance and utilities.

Travel Benefits: Complimentary international & domestic lounge visits, no charge (waived up to a max of Rs. 12,000) on cancellation of flight/hotel/movie ticket bookings up to max two cancellations every year

Domestic Lounge Access: Complimentary unlimited domestic airport lounge access under the MasterCard/American Express/Visa lounge program

International Lounge Access: Complimentary unlimited international airport lounge access under the Dreamfolks program membership

Golf Benefits: Complimentary round/lesson of golf each month on a minimum spend of Rs. 50,000 in the previous month (max 4/month)

Insurance Coverage: Credit Shield insurance worth Rs. 50,000, an air accidental death cover worth Rs. 3 crore and many other insurance benefits under travel category (as illustrated later in the article)

Fees and Charges

Waiver on Spend: Monthly fee reversed on the expenditure of Rs. 1,00,000 in the previous month, annual fee reversed on an annual spend of Rs. 15,00,000 in the previous anniversary year.

Redemption Fee: Rs. 99 + GST on each redemption request

Foreign Transaction Fee: 1.5

Interest Rate: 3.40% per month (or 40.80% annualized)

Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waived on all fuel purchases at all fuel pumps across the country.

Cash Advance Fee: Nil

Summary

Receive a Tata CliQ voucher worth Rs. 5,000 to use on your birthday when you make purchases at www.tatacliq.com (only applicable for AmEx variant). Enjoy unlimited access to domestic and international airport lounges, as well as complimentary spa access at select domestic airports. Save up to Rs. 750 when purchasing second tickets onwards (up to a maximum of 4 tickets per month) on BookMyShow for both movie and non-movie ticket purchases. Receive a complimentary golf round/lesson for every Rs. 50,000 spent on the card in the previous month, with a maximum of 4 rounds/lessons per month. Benefit from a nominal Foreign Currency Markup rate of 1.5% and a lower interest rate of 1.99% on cash withdrawals. Receive a reimbursement of cancellation charges (up to Rs. 12,000) for a maximum of 2 transactions per year for flight/hotel/movie ticket bookings. Choose between monthly and annual plans for your card membership. Earn up to 4 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent.

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium card designed for individuals who enjoy movies, travel, and shopping.

With attractive benefits and rewards, this credit card offers a great value proposition.

For a joining fee of Rs. 1,000 + GST per month and a renewal fee of Rs. 1,000 + GST per month, cardholders can enjoy a range of benefits.

Let's take a closer look at what this card has to offer.

In terms of movie benefits, cardholders can enjoy a discount of up to Rs. 750 on the second movie or event ticket onwards when booked through BookMyShow.

This benefit can be availed for a maximum of four tickets per month.

Additionally, there is no cancellation charge on movie ticket cancellations, with a maximum benefit of Rs. 12,000 per year.

Under the ICICI Culinary Treats program, cardholders can enjoy a minimum discount of 15% at partnered restaurants.

This is a fantastic perk for those who enjoy dining out.

When it comes to shopping, cardholders earn 4 Reward Points (RPs) on every Rs. 100 spent on all transactions, excluding fuel, utilities, and insurance categories.

On insurance and utility purchases, cardholders earn 1 RP on every Rs. 100 spent.

These reward points can be redeemed for a variety of options, providing flexibility and value.

The travel benefits of the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card are extensive.

Cardholders receive complimentary international and domestic lounge visits, ensuring a luxurious travel experience.

Additionally, cardholders can enjoy the waiver of charges for cancellations of flight, hotel, and movie ticket bookings, up to a maximum of Rs. 12,000, for a maximum of two cancellations every year.

Unlimited domestic airport lounge access is also provided under the MasterCard/American Express/Visa lounge program, and unlimited international airport lounge access is provided under the Dreamfolks program membership.

For golf enthusiasts, this card offers a complimentary round or lesson of golf each month on a minimum spend of Rs. 50,000 in the previous month, with a maximum of four rounds or lessons per month.

In terms of insurance benefits, cardholders receive Credit Shield insurance worth Rs. 50,000, as well as an air accidental death cover worth Rs. 3 crore.

Additionally, there are numerous other insurance benefits available under the travel category, making this card a comprehensive option for travelers.

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card also provides spend-based fee waivers.

The monthly fee is reversed on an expenditure of Rs. 1,00,000 in the previous month, and the annual fee is reversed on an annual spend of Rs. 15,00,000 in the previous anniversary year.

This provides added incentive for cardholders to maximize their spending.

While the rewards and benefits of this card are impressive, it is important to consider the associated fees.

There is a rewards redemption fee of Rs. 99 + GST on each redemption request.

Additionally, there is a foreign currency markup of 1.5% on the total transaction amount, which should be taken into account for international transactions.

The interest rate for this credit card is 3.40% per month (or 40.80% annualized).

It is important for cardholders to manage their spending and pay their bills on time to avoid the accumulation of high interest charges.

On a positive note, this card offers a waiver of the 1% fuel surcharge on all fuel purchases at all fuel pumps across the country.

This adds value to cardholders who frequently use their credit card for fuel expenses.

In summary, the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a top choice for individuals who enjoy movies, travel, and shopping.

With its range of benefits, including discounted movie tickets, dining privileges, lounge access, golf privileges, and insurance coverage, this card provides excellent value.

While there are fees associated with rewards redemption and foreign currency transactions, the attractive benefits and rewards make this credit card a worthy choice for those who meet the spending requirements and can manage the associated fees responsibly.