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

Introduction

The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is a co-branded travel credit card designed for frequent flyers who prefer traveling with Emirates Airlines. Positioned as an affordable entry-level variant within the Emirates Skywards credit card suite, it offers a balance of travel rewards and lifestyle benefits. The card allows users to earn Skyward Miles on both domestic and international spends, which can be redeemed for flights, upgrades, and other travel-related services. Beyond travel, it provides valuable perks such as movie ticket discounts, dining offers, and domestic lounge access, making it a practical choice for those seeking a pocket-friendly card with decent reward rates.

Welcome Benefits

• There are no specific joining perks, vouchers, or bonus rewards provided upon the issuance of the card.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹1,000 + GST.
• Annual Fee: ₹1,000 + GST.
• Spend-Based Waiver: No annual fee waiver is available; however, payment of the annual fee facilitates the automatic renewal of the complimentary Emirates Skywards Blue Tier Membership.
• Interest Rates: 3.75% per month (45% per annum).
• ATM Withdrawal / Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the withdrawn amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500. An interest rate of 3.75% per month is applicable from the date of withdrawal.
• Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5% on all foreign currency transactions.
• Late Bill Payment Charges: Ranging from ₹100 to ₹1,300 depending on the outstanding balance.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil.
• Fuel Surcharge: 1% waiver on fuel transactions worth between ₹400 and ₹4,000 at all fuel pumps in India.

Rewards

Skyward Miles

• International Spends: Earn up to 1.5 Skyward Miles for every ₹100 spent.
• Domestic Spends: Earn up to 1.5 Skyward Miles for every ₹100 spent.
• General Retail Spends: Some terms specify a base earning of 1 Skyward Mile per ₹100 on retail spends.
• Exclusions: No Skyward Miles are earned on fuel, education, utility, government transactions, insurance, cash withdrawals, EMI transactions, and balance transfers.

Travel and Lounge Access

• Domestic Lounge Access: 1 complimentary visit per quarter to domestic airport lounges. Access is contingent upon a minimum spend of ₹75,000 in the previous calendar quarter.
• International Lounge Access: This card does not offer complimentary international airport lounge access.

Movies and Entertainment

• BookMyShow and INOX: Get a 25% discount (up to ₹100) on movie tickets twice a month. This offer is valid when booking a minimum of two tickets per transaction.

Dining

• Culinary Treats Programme: Enjoy a discount of 15% or more on dining across several premium restaurants in India.

Lifestyle and Shopping

• iShop: Earn up to 4% cashback on purchases made through the iShop platform.
• Concierge Services: 24/7 assistance for travel planning, trip bookings, and other lifestyle requirements.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Crediting Miles: Earned Skyward Miles are automatically credited to the cardholder’s Emirates Skywards account at the end of each billing cycle.
• Account Association: The miles are linked to the account registered with the mobile number provided to the bank.
• Redemption Options: Miles can be redeemed for flight bookings, seat upgrades, hotel stays, and other options available through the Emirates and its partner network via the Emirates Skywards website.

Card Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Rules

• Age: The primary cardholder must be over 21 years of age. Supplementary cardholders must be at least 18 years old.
• Citizenship: Must be an Indian citizen.
• Income for Salaried Individuals: Minimum monthly income of ₹75,000.
• Income for Self-Employed Individuals: Minimum annual income of ₹9,00,000.
• Credit History: A stable source of income and a decent credit score are required for approval.

Documents Required

• Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, or Voter ID.
• Address Proof: Utility bills, Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Driving License.
• Income Proof: Latest salary slips, bank statements, or the latest Income Tax Return (ITR).

Card Review

• Who Should Apply: This card is best suited for individuals who travel frequently via Emirates Airlines and want to earn air miles at a low annual cost.
• Pros:
  • Affordable annual fee for a co-branded airline card.
  • Direct earning of Emirates Skyward Miles on daily spends.
  • Decent entertainment benefits with movie discounts and dining offers.
  • Automatic renewal of Emirates Skywards Blue Tier Membership.
• Cons:
  • High spending requirement (₹75,000/quarter) for domestic lounge access.
  • Complete lack of international lounge access.
  • No welcome bonus miles or joining vouchers.
  • High interest rate on outstanding balances.
• Verdict: The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is a valuable entry-level travel card for loyal Emirates customers. While it lacks premium features like international lounge access, its low fee and steady mile-earning potential make it a strong "pocket-friendly" choice for domestic travelers and budget-conscious international flyers.

Important Product Details

• Positive Highlights:
  • Earn up to 1.5 miles per ₹100 spent.
  • 25% discount on movie tickets twice a month via BookMyShow and INOX.
  • Up to 4% cashback on iShop.
  • Low joining and annual fee of ₹1,000.
  • No redemption fee for air miles.
• Negative Highlights:
  • No international lounge access.
  • Lounge access is restricted by a spend milestone of ₹75,000 in the previous quarter.
  • No miles earned on essential categories like utilities, insurance, and education.
  • High interest rate of 45% per annum.

Other Details

• Credit Limit: The maximum credit limit is determined by the bank based on factors such as income, credit score, and repayment history.
• Add-on Cards: Benefits can be extended to family members through the ICICI Bank Plus Card.
• Membership: The card includes an Emirates Skywards Blue Tier Membership which is automatically renewed after the annual fee payment.