Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium travel credit card issued by ICICI Bank, specifically designed for frequent flyers of Emirates Airlines. It offers a robust rewards program centered around Emirates Skywards Miles, providing significant value through welcome benefits like bonus Skywards Miles and complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership. Cardholders also enjoy unlimited access to international and domestic airport lounges and exclusive discounts on Emirates flight bookings.

Welcome Benefits

• Get 10,000 Skywards Miles as a joining benefit in the first year.
• Receive a complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership, active as long as the card remains active.
• These welcome benefits are granted after the joining fee is paid.
• Upon annual renewal, receive 10,000 Skywards Miles and an upgrade to Gold Tier (subject to meeting annual spend criteria).

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹10,000 + Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Annual Fee: ₹10,000 + Goods and Services Tax (GST)
• Spend-Based Waiver: No annual fee waiver is provided with this card.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.50% on all international transactions.
• Interest Rates:
  • 3.75% per month (45% per annum) if only minimum due is paid.
  • 3.75% interest per month on Automated Teller Machine (ATM) withdrawals.
• Fuel Surcharge: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions of up to ₹4,000 at any fuel outlet in India.
• Cash Advance Charges: Higher of ₹500 or 2.5% of the amount withdrawn.
• Late Bill Payment: Ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,300.

Rewards

• Skywards Miles Earning: Earn 2 Skywards Miles on every ₹100 spent on all retail transactions (both international and domestic).
• Milestone Reward - Gold Tier Membership:
  • Achieve Emirates Skywards Gold Tier Membership after a total spend of ₹15 lakhs in an anniversary year.
  • A minimum of ₹50,000 out of the ₹15 lakhs must be spent on Emirates.com.
  • The upgrade happens after 12 months from the card issuance date and upon payment of the annual fee for the following year, even if criteria are met earlier.
• Emirates Flight Discounts: Save up to 10% on Emirates flight bookings using the promo code INICI26 via Emirates.com.
• Lounge Access:
  • Domestic Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges for the primary cardholder every quarter.
  • International Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary access to international airport lounges for the primary cardholder.
    • For cards applied on or after November 15, 2024: Complimentary Priority Pass Membership for the primary cardholder, offering access to 1,400+ lounges in 145+ countries worldwide.
    • For cards applied before November 15, 2024: DreamFolks Membership, offering access to 650+ lounges in 100+ countries.
• Movie Benefits (BookMyShow):
  • Buy one ticket and get up to ₹750 off on the second ticket through BookMyShow, four times every month.
  • Starting April 1, 2026, to be eligible for this offer, you must spend ₹25,000 or more on your Emirates Emeralde Credit Card within the preceding spends quarter. This entitles you to avail the offer in the following calendar quarter.
  • Customers with Credit Cards on dual networks (Mastercard & Amex | Visa & RuPay) can avail one movie offer per month, per variant.
  • Add-on/Plus card members need to individually spend ₹25,000 in the preceding spends quarter to be eligible for the offer in the subsequent calendar quarter.
• Dining Benefits: Indulge in culinary delights at multiple restaurants with the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Program, offering exclusive deals on dining.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• The earned Skywards Miles are automatically credited to the registered Emirates Skywards account within 48 hours of the credit card statement generation date. The cardholder’s account must remain active and not delinquent during this period.
• The miles can be redeemed via the Emirates Skywards website against flight bookings, hotel bookings, and a variety of other travel-related options.
• Skywards Miles earned are valid for three years from the date of the flight or partner transaction that earned them. After three years, any unused miles will automatically expire.
• Skywards Miles can be redeemed only by the primary cardholder of the Emirates Emeralde Credit Card or their authorized travel coordinator. In the case of minors, a parent or guardian may redeem rewards on their behalf, subject to availability and Emirates Skywards terms.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Age:
  • Primary cardholder: Over 21 years of age.
  • Supplementary cardholder: Above 18 years of age.
• Citizenship: An Indian citizen.
• Income:
  • Salaried employee with a monthly income of at least ₹2,50,000.
  • Self-employed with an annual income of at least ₹30,00,000.
• Credit Score: The applicant should have a good credit score.
• Documents Required:
  • Proof of Identity: Aadhaar Card, Voters’ ID, PAN Card, Driving License (any one).
  • Proof of Address: Aadhaar Card, Utility bills, Passport, Driving License (any one).
  • Income Proof: Latest bank statements/salary slips or Latest ITR.

Card Review

The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium offering best suited for high-net-worth individuals who frequently travel with Emirates Airlines. Its core value lies in the generous Skywards Miles earning rate, substantial welcome and renewal benefits including bonus miles and Emirates Skywards Silver/Gold Tier memberships, and unlimited lounge access. While the joining and annual fees are high at ₹10,000 + GST, the extensive travel perks, including flight discounts and milestone-based tier upgrades, can offset these costs for dedicated Emirates flyers. Beyond travel, the card also provides valuable lifestyle benefits such as movie offers and dining deals. However, the absence of an annual fee waiver and a 3.50% foreign currency markup are points to consider. Overall, it's an excellent choice for those seeking a comprehensive travel card focused on the Emirates ecosystem.

Important Product Details

• Complimentary Skywards Silver Tier membership as a welcome benefit.
• 10,000 bonus Skywards Miles as a joining benefit and upon annual renewal.
• Earn 2 Skywards Miles for every ₹100 spent on all retail transactions.
• Unlimited complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges for the primary cardholder.
• Emirates Skywards Gold Tier membership on achieving an annual spend milestone of ₹15 lakhs (including ₹50,000 on Emirates.com).
• Exclusive dining deals under the ICICI Bank Culinary Treats Programme.
• Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer on movie tickets via BookMyShow (up to ₹750 off on the second ticket, four times monthly, subject to quarterly spend eligibility).
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions up to ₹4,000.
• Foreign currency markup fee of 3.50% on international transactions.
• No Skyward Miles are earned on selected spends like fuel transactions, insurance, utilities, balance transfers, cash withdrawals, and EMI transactions.
• No annual fee waiver is available.

Other Details

• Skywards Account Creation: If you are not an Emirates Skywards member at the time of application, ICICI Bank will create one for you by securely sharing your personal details with Emirates.
• Supplementary Cardholder Miles: Any eligible spend made by supplementary cardholders will earn Skywards Miles, which will be credited to the primary cardholder’s Emirates Skywards account at the same earning rate.
• Movie Offer Eligibility Period Illustration (starting Apr 1, 2026):
  • Spend ₹25,000 between Dec 26, 2025, and Mar 25, 2026 - Get movie offer benefit between Apr 01, 2026, and June 30, 2026.
  • Spend ₹25,000 between Mar 26, 2026, and June 25, 2026 - Get movie offer benefit between July 01, 2026, and Sep 30, 2026.
• Amex Variant Cashback: Cashback offers on the Amex variant for movie bookings on BookMyShow have been revoked effective from January 1, 2025. Customers can still avail upfront offers.
• Excluded Spends for Milestone Calculations: Cash advances, interest or service charges, late payment fee, joining and annual fee, Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI) payments, balance transfers, and Personal Loan on Credit Card (PLCC) transactions are excluded. Only retail purchases are considered, and reversals are deducted from spending totals.
• Refer to the Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC) for other charges and applicable Terms and Conditions (T&Cs).