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Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card VS ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 18 July 2026

Both Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card costs ₹12,500 + GST and earns 12 EDGE RPs per ₹200 (up to ₹1.5L monthly); 35 RPs per ₹200 (above ₹1.5L). 60 RPs on Travel Edge (up to ₹2L). ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card costs ₹12,000 + GST and earns 4 Reward Points on every ₹100 domestic/international spend; 1 RP on Utility/Insurance. Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card also brings unlimited complimentary visits to select airport lounges in India for primary and add-on cardholders, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card counters with unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access for the primary Cardholder. Weigh the fee against the reward rate above to see which fits your spending pattern better.

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹12,500 + GST
Joining Fee₹12,000 + GST
Renewal Fee₹12,500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹12,000 + GST
Spend Based WaiverAnnual membership fee waived on expenditure of ₹25 Lakhs or more in the preceding anniversary year (₹30 Lakhs for Burgundy variant).
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee waived if spends exceed ₹10 lakh in the preceding year.
Foreign Transaction Fees2% of the total transaction amount.
Foreign Transaction Fees2% on international transactions.
Interest Rate (APR)3.0% per month (42.58% annually) on extended credit.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month on finance charges and ATM cash withdrawals.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusChoose any one gift voucher worth ₹12,500 from Luxe, Yatra, or Postcard Hotels.
Welcome BonusShopping voucher from TATA CLiQ worth ₹5,000 for American Express Cardholders as a birthday benefit.
Rewards Rate12 EDGE RPs per ₹200 on retail spends up to ₹1.5L/month, then 35 RPs. 60 RPs per ₹200 on Travel EDGE Portal.
Rewards RateEarn 4 Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on domestic & international retail purchases (excl. utilities, fuel, insurance).
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption FeeNil
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption request.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access (spend ₹50,000 in preceding 3 months). 4 complimentary guest visits annually.
Domestic Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges for the primary Cardholder.
International Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary international airport lounge access with Priority Pass membership. 4 complimentary guest visits annually.
International Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary access to international airport lounges for the primary Cardholder with Priority Pass.
Travel BenefitsUnlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access. Discounted stays at Oberoi and Leela Palace Hotels.
Travel BenefitsNo cancellation charges on domestic flight & hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000, twice every year.
Movie Benefits
Movie BenefitsBuy one ticket and get up to ₹750 off on the second ticket, up to 4 times every month on BookMyShow.
Dining Benefits15% discount (up to ₹1,000 via Eazydiner) at over 4,000 restaurants under Axis Dining Delights.
Dining BenefitsMinimum 15% off on dining bills at partnered restaurants under the ICICI Culinary Treats program.
Golf Benefits4 complimentary rounds of green fees per calendar year (max 1 per month) via Mastercard World Program.
Golf BenefitsOne complimentary round or lesson for every ₹50,000 spent, up to 4 rounds/lessons per month.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waived for transactions between ₹400 and ₹4,000. Max waiver ₹400 per month.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at all fuel stations across India.

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsCredit Shield protection worth ₹5 Lakh, Purchase protection worth ₹2 Lakh, Lost/Delayed Baggage coverage of $500.
Insurance BenefitsAir Accident Insurance up to ₹3 crore, Credit Shield ₹50,000, & travel insurance for international trips.
Cash Advance ChargesNil (interest charges are applicable).
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of advanced amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Who is it for?

The Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card is a super-premium offering designed for high-income individuals seeking a luxurious lifestyle. It provides extensive travel benefits, including unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access, and a competitive 2% foreign currency markup. Cardholders enjoy a robust rewards program with accelerated earnings on travel and dining discounts. With comprehensive insurance and an annual fee waiver based on spending, it's ideal for those who frequently travel and spend big.

Who is it for?

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a premium offering tailored for high-net-worth individuals seeking a luxurious lifestyle. It provides exclusive benefits like unlimited international and domestic lounge access, complimentary golf rounds, and attractive movie offers. With a low foreign currency markup and comprehensive insurance, it's ideal for frequent travelers and those desiring a high-end credit card experience.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Unlimited international and domestic lounge access for primary and add-on cardholders.

Reduced foreign currency markup fee of 2% makes international spends more economical.

Comprehensive insurance benefits including Credit Shield cover and purchase protection.

Lifetime Free option for eligible Axis Bank Burgundy Salary Account holders.

The Burgundy variant offers an improved 5:4 reward point transfer ratio for travel.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy unlimited complimentary access to both domestic and international airport lounges.

Benefit from up to 4 complimentary golf rounds or lessons monthly based on spends.

Get significant discounts on movie tickets via BookMyShow, up to 4 times every month.

Offers comprehensive insurance coverage including ₹3 crore air accident insurance.

Features a competitive 2% foreign currency markup, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

High annual income requirement of ₹24 Lakhs makes it inaccessible for many applicants.

No golf benefits are explicitly listed in the main product details, unlike other premium cards.

Several benefits like movie BOGO offers and concierge services have been removed recently.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The card carries a high joining and annual fee of ₹12,000 + GST, which can be substantial.

Reward point value is relatively low at ₹0.25 per point, offering a 1% return on general spends.

Eligibility for movie benefits requires a minimum spend of ₹25,000 in the preceding quarter.

Concierge services are geographically limited to only New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai.

Welcome benefits are specific to American Express variant and are a birthday benefit.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.
Apply for Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card(opens in new tab)