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ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card VS SBI AURUM 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 ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI AURUM Credit Card suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. 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. SBI AURUM Credit Card costs ₹9,999 + GST and earns 4 ARP on every ₹100 non-fuel spend (1 ARP = ₹0.25), a 1% reward rate. ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card also brings unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access for the primary Cardholder, while SBI AURUM Credit Card counters with 4 complimentary domestic lounge accesses per quarter for primary & add-on cardholders + spa access. If travel spending matters more, go with ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card; if movies is the priority, SBI AURUM Credit Card fits better.

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
SBI AURUM Credit Card
SBI AURUM Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹12,000 + GST
Joining Fee₹9,999 + GST
Renewal Fee₹12,000 + GST
Renewal Fee₹9,999 + GST
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee waived if spends exceed ₹10 lakh in the preceding year.
Spend Based WaiverAnnual fee waived on annual spends of ₹12,00,000 in the previous anniversary year.
Foreign Transaction Fees2% on international transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% of the transaction amount.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month on finance charges and ATM cash withdrawals.
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% per month (45% per annum).

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusShopping voucher from TATA CLiQ worth ₹5,000 for American Express Cardholders as a birthday benefit.
Welcome Bonus40,000 Reward Points worth ₹10,000, complimentary 1-year Club Marriott Membership, WSJ & Mint digital subscriptions, and 1-year IPV membership.
Rewards RateEarn 4 Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on domestic & international retail purchases (excl. utilities, fuel, insurance).
Rewards RateEarn 4 AURUM Reward Points on every non-fuel spend of ₹100, equivalent to 1% reward rate.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + applicable taxes per redemption request.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges for the primary Cardholder.
Domestic Lounge Access4 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per quarter (Visa/MasterCard program).
International Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary access to international airport lounges for the primary Cardholder with Priority Pass.
International Lounge AccessUnlimited international airport lounge access with Dreamfolks membership, including one complimentary guest visit each quarter.
Travel BenefitsNo cancellation charges on domestic flight & hotel bookings, up to ₹12,000, twice every year.
Travel BenefitsOne complimentary spa access each quarter, flight cancellation benefits (₹3,500/ticket refundable, ₹3,000/ticket non-refundable).
Movie BenefitsBuy one ticket and get up to ₹750 off on the second ticket, up to 4 times every month on BookMyShow.
Movie Benefits4 free movie tickets each month from BookMyShow (max value ₹250/ticket, max 2 tickets at a time).
Dining BenefitsMinimum 15% off on dining bills at partnered restaurants under the ICICI Culinary Treats program.
Dining Benefits15% off (up to ₹750) on orders above ₹4,000 with District by Zomato.
Golf BenefitsOne complimentary round or lesson for every ₹50,000 spent, up to 4 rounds/lessons per month.
Golf Benefits16 complimentary golf rounds and 12 complimentary golf lessons per calendar year.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at all fuel stations across India.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waived (max ₹250/cycle) on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000.

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsAir Accident Insurance up to ₹3 crore, Credit Shield ₹50,000, & travel insurance for international trips.
Insurance BenefitsTravel insurance (₹1 Lakh), Air accidental death (₹3.50 Crore), Lost Card & Fraud Protection (₹10 Lakhs).
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of advanced amount, subject to a minimum of ₹500.
Cash Advance Charges2.50% of withdrawn amount, subject to a minimum charge of ₹500.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

SBI AURUM Credit Card

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.

Who is it for?

The SBI AURUM Credit Card is SBI Card's super-premium offering, designed for an elegant lifestyle with a metallic finish. It provides exclusive privileges like complimentary Club Marriott and digital subscriptions, significant welcome benefits of 40,000 reward points, and extensive golf privileges. This card is highly rewarding for primary users who can achieve spending milestones to unlock premium gift vouchers and enjoy top-tier benefits.

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.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Generous welcome benefit of 40,000 Reward Points worth ₹10,000.

Valuable complimentary memberships (Club Marriott, WSJ, Mint, IPV).

Attractive milestone benefits with premium gift vouchers from Tata CLiQ Luxury, Taj, and Apple.

Extensive golf privileges with complimentary rounds and lessons.

Strong travel benefits including unlimited international lounge access and flight cancellation cover.

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.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The basic reward rate of 1% is modest for a super-premium card with a high annual fee.

Several previously offered subscriptions like Amazon Prime and Zomato Gold have been discontinued.

The card's value proposition diminishes for users who manage multiple cards and distribute spends.

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.
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