In the premium credit card segment in India, HDFC Infinia has long enjoyed a dominant position. However, ICICI Bank has introduced the ICICI Emeralde Metal Credit Card, sparking intense debate among credit card enthusiasts. Is the ICICI Emeralde Metal a true challenger to the reigning champion? Here’s a detailed comparison, strictly based on the card features, rewards, and benefits.
When it comes to luxury credit cards in India, HDFC Infinia is the OG — the benchmark. But then came ICICI Emeralde and it shook things up!
Some even say it has dethroned Infinia as India’s best premium card. But is that really true?
In this article, we dive deep into ICICI Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia — features, benefits, hidden catches, recent devaluations, and which card truly deserves the crown in 2025.
Overview of ICICI Emeralde Metal Credit Card
The ICICI Emeralde Credit Card is offered in two variants: Standard and Private Metal. This article focuses on the Private Metal variant, which targets high-income customers and offers a rich suite of premium features.
Key Details:
- Annual Fee: ₹12,500 + 18% GST
- Eligibility: Minimum annual salary of ₹40 lakh (Invite-only basis)
- Welcome Benefit: ₹12,500 worth of bonus reward points (1 point = ₹1). GST is not waived.
- Annual Spend Milestone: Spending ₹10 lakh annually waives the fee for the following year.
Rewards and Benefits of ICICI Emeralde Metal
Reward Rate:
- 6 reward points per ₹200 spent, roughly translating to 2% base reward rate.
- Retail spends have no cap, but category-wise caps apply:
- Groceries, Utilities, Education: Max 1,000 points per statement cycle (~₹33,000 spend per category)
- Insurance: Max 5,000 points per statement (~₹1.6 lakh spend)
Milestone Benefits:
- ₹4 lakh spend/year: ₹3,000 EaseMyTrip voucher
- ₹8 lakh spend/year: Additional ₹3,000 EaseMyTrip voucher
- Effective reward rate can reach 3.75%, among the highest in the country.
Additional Perks:
- Unlimited lounge access for the primary and one add-on cardholder
- Buy-one-get-one BookMyShow offer, up to ₹750
- Taj Epicure membership: Includes one free night and 20-25% discount on food, beverages, and spa services
- Unlimited complimentary golf rounds and lessons
- EaseMyTrip Prime membership
iShop Feature: A Standout Benefits
ICICI’s iShop portal is a major value-add, offering accelerated rewards:
- Flights: 6x points (18% reward rate)
- Hotels: 12x points (36% reward rate)
- Amazon/Flipkart vouchers: 6x points (18% effective discount)
However, the monthly cap was recently reduced from ₹1 lakh to ₹12,000 for these offers.
ICICI Emeralde Metal Credit Card vs HDFC Infinia Metal
Comparing with HDFC Infinia Metal Credit Card
Fees & Eligibility:
- Annual Fee: ₹12,500 + GST
- Welcome Benefit: ₹12,500 worth of reward points
- Eligibility: Minimum annual salary of ₹45 lakh
Hotel and Dining Privileges:
- HDFC Infinia: Club Marriott membership with 20% off and one free night (book 2, get 1 free)
- ICICI Emeralde: Taj Epicure with one free night and similar discounts
Base Reward Comparison:
- HDFC Infinia: 5 points per ₹150 (~3.33% reward rate)
- ICICI Emeralde: 6 points per ₹200 (~3% reward rate)
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Accelerated Rewards:
Flights:
- HDFC Infinia: 5x (16.5%)
- ICICI Emeralde: 6x (18%)
Hotels:
- HDFC Infinia: 11x (33%)
- ICICI Emeralde: 12x (36%)
Redemption:
- ICICI Emeralde: 100% redemption on flights, hotels, and vouchers
- HDFC Infinia: Up to 70% redemption limit
Voucher Purchase:
- ICICI Emeralde: No extra taxes or charges on vouchers
- HDFC Infinia: 3-4% taxes apply, with a ₹10,000 monthly cap
Practical Comparison: Which Card Gives More Value?
Assuming a monthly spend of ₹80,000–₹90,000:
- Higher travel and hotel expenses: ICICI Emeralde outperforms due to higher reward rates.
- Higher groceries, dining, and utility spends: ICICI still provides better value with superior reward rates and redemption flexibility.
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Final Verdict: Which is the Best Premium Credit Card in India?
Despite ICICI Emeralde’s impressive debut, HDFC Infinia Metal remains the preferred choice for many. The reason lies in long-term reliability. ICICI’s reward structures have seen quick revisions—e.g., the iShop monthly limit was sharply reduced within months of launch.
While ICICI Emeralde offers better short-term value, HDFC Infinia offers stability and proven performance over time. For users who prioritize consistent benefits and a long-term credit card partner, HDFC Infinia still holds a slight edge.
Conclusion
Both ICICI Emeralde Metal and HDFC Infinia Metal offer exceptional benefits. If you’re a heavy spender in travel and online shopping, ICICI Emeralde delivers unmatched reward rates. However, if you value legacy performance, wider acceptance, and consistent perks, HDFC Infinia might be the better pick.
Choosing between them ultimately depends on your lifestyle, spending habits, and comfort with evolving card features.
