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

Introduction

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a super-premium offering from ICICI Bank, designed for individuals seeking unmatched luxury and exclusivity. This invite-only metal credit card provides a gateway to a host of elite lifestyle and travel privileges, including unlimited airport lounge access, complimentary golf rounds, and exclusive memberships like Taj Epicure Plus and EazyDiner Prime. It stands out with a competitive reward rate and a low foreign currency markup, making it ideal for high-net-worth individuals who frequently travel and indulge in premium experiences.

Welcome Benefits

• Complimentary Taj Epicure Plus Membership for one year, including a complimentary 1-night stay.
  • Benefits include 25% off on food and beverages (dining and takeaway for up to 10 persons), 20% off on Qmin app orders, 20% off at Jiva Spas, 20% off on food and beverages at Banquets (up to 30 persons), and 20% off on Salon Services at participating hotels.
  • One-time use vouchers include 20% off on Best Available Rate for Rooms and Suites at participating hotels, Taj Palaces, and Taj Safaris (for a maximum of 5 nights each).
• Complimentary EazyDiner Prime Membership for 12 months, renewed annually.
  • Benefits include a 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 2,000 Eazypoints for onboarding.
• 12,500 bonus Reward Points.
• Joining benefits are issued within 45 business days after the payment of the Joining Fee.
• To claim joining vouchers: Log into ICICI Bank Rewards via iMobile App (Cards & Forex → Select Credit Card → Redeem → Joining Benefit) or Internet Banking (Cards → Credit cards → Select Credit Card → Redeem → Joining Benefit). On the Rewards site, click the ‘Joining Benefit / Annual Benefit’ tab to find voucher codes/PINs and redemption steps.

Fees

• Joining Fee: ₹12,499 + GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,499 + GST
• Spend-Based Waiver: Annual fee waived for the next year on spending ₹10 lakh or above in the card anniversary year.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: Nil
• Foreign Currency Markup: 1.99% of the total transaction amount.
• Interest Rates (Finance Charges): 3.75% per month (45% per annum).
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at all fuel stations in India. Maximum waiver of ₹1,000 per statement cycle.
• Cash Advance Charges: Nil (however, ATM withdrawals are subject to 3.75% interest per month).
• Late Payment Charges: Nil

Rewards

• Earning Rate: Earn 6 ICICI Reward Points on every ₹200 spent on eligible retail transactions.
• Category-Specific Caps:
  • Grocery: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle.
  • Utilities: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle.
  • Education: Maximum 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle.
  • Insurance payments: Maximum 5,000 Reward Points per statement cycle.
• Exclusions: No Reward Points are awarded for Fuel, Tax, Government, and Rent Payments. Reward Points awarded for transactions converted into EMIs shall be reversed.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Reward points can be redeemed for a host of products, travel, movie vouchers, appliances, mobiles, lifestyle products, and more.
• Redemption Value:
  • Flights and Hotel Vouchers: 1 Reward Point = ₹1
  • Vouchers from Apple, Tanishq, Tumi, Coach, Brooks Brothers, Armani, Jimmy Choo, G-Star Raw, Canali, and Mother Care: 1 Reward Point = ₹1
  • Rewards Catalogue – Other Products: 1 Reward Point = ₹0.60
  • Statement Credit: 1 Reward Point = ₹0.40
• Points can also be transferred to the Air India Maharaja Club at a 1:1 ratio.
• To redeem points: Log into ICICI Bank Rewards via iMobile App or Internet Banking.

Rewards

Movies, Dining & Events

• BookMyShow Offer: Buy One Get One (BOGO) offer up to ₹750 off on movies, concerts, events, theatre shows, or sports events. This offer can be availed twice a month on the purchase of a minimum of two tickets.
• EazyDiner Prime Membership: Complimentary 12-month membership with minimum 25% and up to 50% discount at over 3,000 restaurants in Dubai and India.

Travel

• Unlimited International Airport Lounge Access: Complimentary Priority Pass Membership for both primary and Plus (add-on) card members, providing access to 1,800+ lounges in 146 countries worldwide. Present your Priority Pass Membership Card at participating international lounges.
• Unlimited Domestic Airport Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary lounge access for both primary and Plus (add-on) card members at select airports in India. Swipe the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card to avail access.
• Milestone Benefits: Get 2 EaseMyTrip vouchers worth ₹6,000 (two vouchers each worth ₹3,000) on annual spends of ₹8 lakh or above. Vouchers are issued once per year upon reaching the milestone.
• No Cancellation Charges: Refund of up to ₹12,000 on domestic flight and hotel bookings, maximum twice per year.
• Low Forex Markup Fee: 1.99% on foreign currency transactions.

Golf

• Unlimited Complimentary Golf: Unlimited golf rounds or lessons every month at top courses around the world.
• Booking Process: Book through the Golftripz website (https://teetimes.truztee.com/) using the same email ID registered with your ICICI Bank Credit Card. Benefits are credited by the 10th day of the following month, available for use in the next two months. An authorization amount of ₹2 is taken for each eligible card. Assistance available via i-Assist concierge.

Insurance

• Air Accident Insurance: Primary cardholder is entitled to Air Accident Insurance coverage of ₹3 crore. This benefit applies only when the card has been used at least once in the 60 days prior to the event and covers international travel only if tickets were purchased using the credit card. Supplementary cardholders are not eligible.
• Cancellation Cover: Refund of up to ₹12,000 on domestic flight and hotel bookings, maximum twice per year.
• Credit Shield: ₹1 Lakh cover.
• Baggage Insurance: ₹25,000 cover.
• Loss of Travel Documents and Passport: ₹35,000 cover.
• Loss of Check-In Baggage: ₹84,000 cover.
• Delay of Check-In Baggage: ₹21,000 cover.
• Missed Connection International Flight: ₹21,000 cover.
• Plane Hijack: ₹75,000 cover.
• Delay in Flight: ₹17,500 cover.
• Card Liability Cover: ₹50,000 cover.
• Medical Expenses: ₹50,000 cover.
• Purchase Protection Cover: ₹1,40,000 cover.

Lifestyle

• 24x7 Concierge Service (i-Assist): Round-the-clock assistance for various needs.
  • 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 in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai)
  • Medical Concierge Privileges
  • Emergency Auto Assistance (Across New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai)
• Mastercard Privileges: Access to Mastercard Moments, an exclusive program offering exceptional experiences and additional benefits for Mastercard cardholders.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Invitation Only: Application is by invitation only; contact your Relationship Manager.
• Age Limit: Must be between 21–65 years of age.
• Documents Required:
  • Proof of identity
  • Proof of address
  • Income Proof
• No physical documents are required.

Card Review

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is a super-premium offering tailored for individuals who prioritize luxury travel, exclusive lifestyle benefits, and a high reward rate. Its metal body and invite-only status underscore its exclusivity.

Pros:

• Exceptional Travel Benefits: Unlimited domestic and international lounge access (with Priority Pass for primary and add-on cardholders), unlimited golf rounds, and a low 1.99% forex markup fee make it highly beneficial for frequent travelers.
• Generous Welcome & Milestone Benefits: Complimentary Taj Epicure and EazyDiner Prime memberships, 12,500 bonus reward points, and EaseMyTrip vouchers on milestone spends add significant value.
• Strong Reward Rate: A 3% reward rate (6 Reward Points per ₹200 spent) is competitive for a premium card, with good redemption value for specific high-end brands and travel.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Extensive insurance coverage including air accident, credit shield, baggage, and purchase protection provides peace of mind.
• Unique Cancellation Cover: The ability to get a refund of up to ₹12,000 on flight/hotel cancellations twice a year is a distinctive and valuable feature.
• Dedicated Concierge: 24/7 i-Assist concierge service enhances convenience for various bookings and emergencies.

Cons:

• High Fees: The ₹12,499 + GST joining and annual fees are substantial, though the annual fee can be waived with high spends.
• Reward Point Value Discrepancy: While some redemptions offer 1 RP = ₹1, others like general catalogue products or statement credit offer significantly lower values (₹0.60 and ₹0.40 respectively), which can be deceptive if not clearly understood.
• Milestone Partner: While valuable, some users might prefer a more prominent travel partner than EaseMyTrip for the milestone vouchers.
• Invite-Only: The card is not readily available to everyone, requiring an invitation or contact with a Relationship Manager.

Overall Verdict: This card is an excellent choice for ultra-high-net-worth individuals who can leverage its extensive luxury benefits, especially those who travel frequently, enjoy golf, and dine out often. The high fees are justified by the array of premium perks, provided the cardholder can meet the spend-based waiver criteria and utilize the benefits to their full potential. It offers a truly elite experience for those who cannot compromise on lifestyle and convenience.

Important Product Details

• Card Name: Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
• Issuing Bank: ICICI Bank
• Card Type: Super-premium, luxury metal credit card
• Invitation Only: Available by invitation.
• Joining Fee: ₹12,499 + GST
• Annual Fee: ₹12,499 + GST, waived on annual spends of ₹10 lakh.
• Reward Rate: 6 Reward Points per ₹200 spent (3% reward rate).
• Welcome Benefits: Taj Epicure Plus Membership, EazyDiner Prime Membership, 12,500 bonus Reward Points.
• Lounge Access: Unlimited complimentary domestic and international (via Priority Pass) lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.
• Golf Benefits: Unlimited complimentary golf rounds and lessons monthly.
• Movie Benefits: Buy One Get One offer up to ₹750 off on BookMyShow, twice a month.
• Forex Markup: Low 1.99%.
• Cancellation Cover: Up to ₹12,000 refund on domestic flight/hotel bookings, twice per year.
• Insurance Coverage: ₹3 crore Air Accident Insurance, ₹1 lakh Credit Shield, various travel and purchase protection covers.
• Concierge Service: 24x7 i-Assist concierge.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver up to ₹4,000 per transaction, max ₹1,000 per statement cycle.
• Reward Point Redemption: Value up to ₹1 per point for select brands/travel, lower for others.

Other Details

• Plus Card: Extend benefits to your loved ones with an ICICI Bank Plus Card.
• Security Features:
  • Embedded microchip for enhanced security against counterfeiting and duplication.
  • PIN required for transactions at merchant outlets (not for online transactions).
  • Fraud protection includes Counterfeit Card Liability and Account Takeover Cover.
• Bill Due Date: Can be found on your monthly statement, iMobile app, Internet Banking, or by contacting Customer Care at 1800 1080.
• CVV Location: Three-digit security code next to the signature panel on the back of the card. Also viewable via iMobile app or Net Banking.
• Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC): Refer to the MITC document for other charges and detailed terms.
• Nominee Details: Option to update nominee details for insurance coverage via an online form.
• Authorization for Golf Bookings: An authorization amount of ₹2 shall be taken for each eligible card for golf bookings.
• Customer Feedback: The bank values customer feedback on website experience.