ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Introduction

The Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a super-premium offering by ICICI Bank, designed for individuals seeking unmatched luxury and exclusivity. This metal-bodied card provides a gateway to a host of premium lifestyle and travel privileges, including exclusive Taj Epicure and EazyDiner Prime memberships, unlimited airport lounge access, complimentary golf rounds, and significant savings on movies and events through BookMyShow offers. With an excellent reward rate on various spending categories and a low foreign currency markup, the card aims to deliver an elite-level experience. It also features comprehensive travel insurance, purchase protection, and 24/7 concierge services, making it a valuable companion for frequent travelers and those who appreciate a lavish lifestyle.

Welcome Benefits

• Complimentary Taj Epicure Plus Membership for one year, including:
  • A complimentary one-night stay at participating Taj hotels.
  • 25% off on food and beverages for dining and takeaway, valid for up to 10 persons.
  • 20% off on orders made through the Qmin application.
  • 20% off at Jiva Spas across participating Taj hotels.
  • 20% off on food and beverages at Banquets for up to 30 persons.
  • 20% off on Salon Services at participating hotels.
  • One-time use vouchers for 20% off the Best Available Rate at participating hotels (Rooms and Suites), Taj Palaces (maximum 5 nights), and Taj Safaris (maximum 5 nights).
• Complimentary EazyDiner Prime Membership for 12 months, renewed annually, offering:
  • Minimum 25% discount and up to 50% off at over 3,000 restaurants in Dubai and India.
  • Complimentary dessert or cake at select restaurants on your birthday or wedding anniversary.
  • Bonus 2000 Eazypoints upon onboarding.
• 12,500 bonus ICICI Bank Reward Points as a joining benefit.
• Welcome benefits are issued within 45 days of paying the full joining fee.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹12,499 + GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,499 + GST
• Spend-Based Waiver: The annual fee is waived off for the next year if you spend ₹10 lakh or above in the card anniversary year.
• Forex Markup: 2% of the total transaction amount (also mentioned as 1.99% in some sections).
• Interest Rates: 3.75% per month, equivalent to 45% per annum.
• Fuel Surcharge:
  • 1% waiver on fuel transactions at all fuel stations.
  • Applicable on transactions up to ₹4,000.
  • Maximum waiver of ₹1,000 per statement cycle.
  • This benefit applies to both the primary and Plus (supplementary) cardholders.
• Cash Advance Charges: Nil.
• Late Payment Charges: Ranging from ₹100 to ₹1300.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil.

Rewards

Reward Points Earnings

• Earn 6 ICICI Reward Points on every ₹200 spent on eligible retail transactions (a reward rate of 3%).
• Reward Points earned on transactions converted into EMIs shall be reversed.
• No Reward Points are awarded for Fuel, Tax, Government, and Rent Payments.
• Category-wise Reward Points capping per statement cycle:
  • Grocery: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points
  • Education: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points
  • Insurance: Maximum 5,000 Reward Points
  • Utility: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points

Milestone Benefits

• Receive 2 EaseMyTrip air travel vouchers worth ₹6,000 (two vouchers each worth ₹3,000) on annual spends of ₹8 lakh or above. These vouchers are issued once per year upon achieving the milestone.
• Get a bonus of 12,500 ICICI Bank Reward Points as an annual benefit every year you pay the card membership fee.

Lounge Access

Domestic Lounge Access

• Enjoy unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access for both Primary and Plus (add-on) Card members at select airports in India.
• To avail, simply swipe your ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card at the lounge reception along with your boarding pass.

International Lounge Access

• Receive a complimentary Priority Pass Membership for both the primary cardholder and Plus (add-on) cardholder.
• Access over 1,400 lounges in 145+ countries worldwide.
• Present your Priority Pass Membership Card at participating international lounges to avail the benefit.

Golf Benefits

• Enjoy unlimited complimentary golf rounds or lessons every month at top golf courses around the world.
• Benefits can be booked through the Golftripz website (www.teetimes.golftripz.com) using the same e-mail ID registered with your ICICI Bank Credit Card.
• Benefits are credited to your account by the 10th day of the following month and are available for use in the next two months.

Movies & Entertainment

• Buy One Get One offer, providing up to ₹750 off on movies, theatre shows, concerts, and sports events when purchasing a minimum of two tickets via BookMyShow.
• This offer can be availed twice a month.

Dining Benefits

• Get dining discounts with the Culinary Treats Programme.
• Enjoy complimentary EazyDiner Prime Membership (details under Welcome Benefits).

Travel Benefits

• Cancellation Cover: No cancellation charges on domestic flight and hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000. This benefit can be availed a maximum of twice per year.
• EaseMyTrip Vouchers: Complimentary air travel vouchers from EaseMyTrip as a milestone benefit (details under Milestone Benefits).

Concierge Services

• Access 24x7 concierge assistance through i-Assist by calling the toll-free number 18002670731 (or 022-67872016 for standard call charges).
• Key features include:
  • Restaurant Referral and Reservation
  • Flower and Gift Assistance
  • Flight Referral and Reservation
  • Hotel Referral and Reservation
  • Car Rental and Limousine Service
  • Booking and Delivery of Movie Tickets (available only in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai)
  • Medical Concierge Privileges
  • Emergency Auto Assistance (across New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai)

Insurance Benefits

• Air Accident Insurance: Primary cardholder is entitled to an Air Accident Insurance cover of ₹3 Crore. This benefit applies when the card has been used at least once in the 60 days prior to the event, covers international travel only, and tickets must be purchased using the Credit Card. Supplementary cardholders are not eligible.
• Credit Shield: ₹1 Lakh
• Baggage Insurance: ₹25,000
• Loss of travel documents and Passport: ₹35,000
• Loss of Check-In Baggage: ₹84,000
• Delay of Check-In Baggage: ₹21,000
• Missed Connection International Flight: ₹21,000
• Plane Hijack: ₹75,000
• Delay in Flight: ₹17,500
• Card Liability Cover: ₹50,000
• Medical Expenses: ₹50,000
• Purchase Protection Cover: ₹1,40,000

Fraud Protection

• Protected against fraudulent transactions with Counterfeit Card Liability, ensuring coverage against unauthorized usage.
• Provides an Account Takeover Cover, safeguarding you in case your personal information is accessed or misused by a third party without your consent.

Mastercard Privileges

• Access to Mastercard Moments, an exclusive program offering exceptional experiences and additional benefits for Mastercard cardholders.

Security Features

• The credit card comes with an embedded microchip, providing enhanced security against counterfeiting and duplication.
• For transactions at merchant outlets, customers must enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the payment. PIN is not required for online transactions.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• ICICI Bank reward points can be redeemed against a host of products, travel, movie vouchers, appliances, mobiles, and lifestyle products.
• The value of reward points varies based on the redemption category:
  • Flights and Hotel Vouchers: ₹1 per Reward Point
  • Vouchers for Apple, Tanishq, Tumi, Coach, Brooks Brothers, Armani, Jimmy Choo, G-Star Raw, Canali, and Mother Care: ₹1 per Reward Point
  • Rewards Catalogue - Other Products: ₹0.60 per Reward Point
  • Statement Credit: ₹0.40 per Reward Point
• Points earned with the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can also be transferred to the Air India Maharaja Club at a 1:1 ratio.

Card Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Rules

• The card is offered by invitation only. Please get in touch with your Relationship Manager to apply.
• Applicants must be between the age group of 21 and 65 years.

Documents Required

• Identity Proof
• Address Proof
• Income Proof
• No physical documents are required if applying via DigiLocker.

Card Review

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card stands out as a strong contender in the super-premium segment, offering a comprehensive suite of benefits for those with a luxurious lifestyle. While it carries a significant joining and annual fee of ₹12,499 + GST, these charges are justified by the extensive travel, dining, and lifestyle perks it provides.

Pros:

• The card boasts an excellent reward rate of 3% on eligible retail spends, allowing users to accumulate points rapidly.
• Both primary and add-on cardholders benefit from unlimited complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges, significantly enhancing travel comfort.
• Complimentary Taj Epicure and EazyDiner Prime memberships offer substantial savings and exclusive experiences in dining and hospitality.
• The unique cancellation cover for flight and hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000 twice a year, provides exceptional peace of mind for travelers.
• A low foreign currency markup of 2% (or 1.99%) makes it highly attractive for international transactions.
• Unlimited complimentary golf rounds and lessons cater to enthusiasts of the sport.
• The extensive insurance coverage, including air accident, baggage, and purchase protection, adds a layer of security.
• 24x7 concierge services assist with a wide range of needs, from reservations to emergency support.

Cons:

• While the card offers EaseMyTrip air travel vouchers as a milestone benefit, some users might prefer vouchers from more prominent or premium travel partners for a card in this segment.

Overall Verdict: The Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is an ideal choice for high-net-worth individuals who frequently travel, dine out, and indulge in premium lifestyle experiences. Its robust reward structure, coupled with extensive benefits across travel, entertainment, and insurance, delivers significant value despite the high annual fee, which can also be waived through substantial spending. For those unwilling to compromise on luxury and convenience, this card is an excellent fit.

Important Product Details

• Metal Card Body: A premium, exclusive offering by ICICI Bank.
• Welcome Benefits: Complimentary Taj Epicure Plus Membership, EazyDiner Prime Membership, and 12,500 bonus Reward Points.
• Annual Fee Waiver: Achieve annual spends of ₹10 lakh or above to waive the renewal fee for the next year.
• High Reward Rate: Earn 6 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent on eligible retail transactions, equating to a 3% reward rate.
• Unlimited Lounge Access: Complimentary unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders (via Priority Pass for international).
• Unlimited Golf: Enjoy unlimited complimentary golf rounds and lessons every month.
• Entertainment Benefits: Buy One Get One movie/event tickets up to ₹750 off on BookMyShow, twice a month.
• Milestone Vouchers: Get ₹6,000 worth of EaseMyTrip air travel vouchers on annual spends of ₹8 lakh.
• Low Forex Markup: Charges a competitive 2% (or 1.99%) foreign currency markup fee.
• Travel Protection: No cancellation charges on domestic flight and hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000, twice per year.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Includes Air Accident Insurance cover of ₹3 Crore (for primary cardholder), Credit Shield, Baggage Insurance, Purchase Protection, and more.
• 24x7 Concierge: Dedicated i-Assist concierge service for a variety of needs.
• Restricted Redemption Categories: No Reward Points for Fuel, Tax, Government, and Rent Payments.
• Category-wise Capping: Reward Points on Grocery, Education, Utility (max 1,000 RP) and Insurance (max 5,000 RP) are capped per statement cycle.

Other Details

• The card is explicitly marketed as a luxury credit card from ICICI Bank.
• The Card Verification Value (CVV) is a three-digit security code located next to the signature panel on the back of the card. It can also be checked via iMobile app or Internet Banking.
• Bill due dates can be found on your monthly statement, in the iMobile app, through Internet Banking, or by contacting Customer Care at 1800 1080.
• The card features an embedded microchip for enhanced security against counterfeiting and duplication. PIN is required for merchant outlet transactions but not for online transactions.
• Customers can extend benefits to their loved ones through ICICI Bank Plus Cards.
• Mastercard Moments is an exclusive program offering various experiences and benefits for Mastercard cardholders.