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ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card vs Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card vs HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

A detailed, side-by-side look at 3 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.

Features

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card
HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card
HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee
₹12,000 + GST
₹12,500 + GST
₹12,500 + GST
Renewal Fee
₹12,000 + GST
₹12,500 + GST
₹12,500 + GST
Spend Based Waiver
Annual fee waived on ₹10-15 lakh annual spends; monthly fee waived on ₹1 lakh monthly spends.
Annual fee of ₹12,500 + Taxes waived on spending ₹25 Lakhs in the preceding year.
Renewal fee waived on ₹10 lakhs or more spend in preceding 12 months for Metal Edition.
Foreign Transaction Fees
2% of the transaction amount (some sources indicate 1.5%).
Reduced mark-up fee of 2% on foreign transactions.
2% + GST (~2.36%) on all foreign currency transactions.
Interest Rate (APR)
General finance charges: 3.75% or 3.40% per month. Cash advance: 3.75% or 1.99% per month.
3.0% per month (42.58% annually) on extended credit.
1.99% per month (23.8% annualized) on the due amount.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome Bonus
American Express Cardholders receive a shopping voucher from TATA CLiQ worth ₹5,000 on their birthday.
Choose any one gift voucher worth INR 12,500 from Luxe, The Postcard Hotels, or Yatra.
Complimentary Club Marriott membership for 1st year & 12,500 bonus Reward Points on activation.
Rewards Rate
Earn 4 Reward Points on every ₹100 domestic/international spend; 1 RP on Utility/Insurance.
Earn 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).
Earn 5 RP for ₹150 retail spends; up to 10X RP on SmartBuy travel & shopping.
Reward Type
Reward Points
Reward Points
Reward Points
Reward Redemption Fee
₹99 + GST per reward redemption request.
Nil
Nil

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access for the primary Cardholder.
Unlimited complimentary visits to select airport lounges in India for primary and add-on cardholders.
Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access in India for primary and add-on cardholders.
International Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary international airport lounge access for the primary Cardholder.
Unlimited complimentary international lounge visits for primary cardholder with Priority Pass, plus 4 guest visits.
Unlimited complimentary airport lounge access globally via Priority Pass for primary & add-on.
Travel Benefits
Unlimited complimentary international and domestic airport lounge access; travel cancellation protection.
Unlimited lounge access (domestic & intl), complimentary 3rd-night stay & upgrades at Oberoi/Trident Hotels.
Complimentary Club Marriott & ITC Hotels stay offers; Redeem RP for flights/airmiles on SmartBuy.
Movie Benefits
Buy one get one up to ₹750 off on movie/event tickets via BookMyShow, up to 4 times monthly.
Not Applicable
Dining Benefits
Minimum 15% discount on dining bills at partnered restaurants through the Culinary Treats Programme.
Upto 30% discount (up to ₹500) at over 4000 restaurants across India via Axis Dining Delights.
Complimentary Club Marriott membership; 1+1 buffet at ITC; FLAT 10% EXTRA OFF on Swiggy Dineout.
Golf Benefits
Up to 4 complimentary golf rounds or lessons monthly, based on eligible previous month's spends.
4 complimentary green fees & 12 golf lessons per year for World Mastercard variant holders.
Unlimited complimentary golf lessons and games at leading courses across India and worldwide.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at any fuel station across India.
1% fuel surcharge waiver (₹400-₹4000 transactions), max waiver ₹400 per month.
1% waiver on transactions ₹400-₹1,00,000, capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle.

Security & Other

Insurance Benefits
₹3 Crore Air Accident Insurance, ₹50,000 Credit Shield, and comprehensive international travel insurance.
Credit Shield ₹5L, Purchase protection ₹2L, Credit Liability coverage, Lost/Delayed Baggage $500.
Accidental Air Death ₹3 Cr, Emergency Overseas Hospitalization ₹50 L, Credit Shield ₹9 L.
Cash Advance Charges
Nil cash advance charges, but interest rates apply immediately from the transaction date.
Nil (Interest charges applicable).
NIL, but interest charges are applicable from the date of cash advance.

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

HDFC Bank INFINIA Metal Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Unlimited complimentary domestic & international airport lounge access for primary cardholder.

Get up to 4 free golf rounds/lessons monthly, based on your previous month's retail spends.

Attractive 'Buy One Get One' movie/event ticket offers via BookMyShow and dining discounts.

Comprehensive travel insurance, including ₹3 Crore air accident cover & cancellation waivers.

Choose between annual/monthly plans with spend-based fee waivers for financial flexibility.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Enjoy unlimited international and domestic airport lounge access, including guest visits.

Benefit from a low foreign currency markup of just 2% on all international transactions.

Receive robust insurance coverage like credit shield of ₹5 Lakhs and purchase protection.

Experience appealing welcome benefits with a gift voucher worth ₹12,500 on joining.

The World Mastercard variant offers exclusive golf privileges, including free rounds and lessons.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Unlimited lounge access globally for primary and add-on cardholders via Priority Pass membership.

Enjoy unlimited complimentary golf games and coaching at premier courses across the world.

Highly rewarding with 5 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent, up to 10X on SmartBuy.

Valuable welcome & renewal benefits, including bonus RPs & complimentary Club Marriott membership.

Comprehensive insurance benefits, including air accidental death cover and overseas hospitalization.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Significant joining and annual fees, though waivable with high annual spending thresholds.

Very high-income criteria restrict access, making this card exclusive to high earners.

A charge of ₹99 + GST is applied for every request to redeem reward points.

Concierge services are restricted to major metropolitan cities in India only.

Discrepancies exist in reported foreign currency markup and interest rates across sources.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The card has a high annual income requirement of ₹24 Lakhs, limiting accessibility.

Some prior benefits, such as BOGO movie offers, were discontinued as of May 2024.

The reward point earning structure can be quite complex with varied rates and tiers.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The card is strictly invite-only, making it inaccessible to most potential applicants due to rigorous criteria.

Significant joining and renewal fees, though a waiver is possible with very high annual spending.

Reward points have monthly caps on grocery, telecom, and utility transactions, limiting earning potential.

Low cashback redemption value (₹0.30 per point) compared to higher value redemptions for travel.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.