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ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card VS SBI AURUM Credit Card VS SBI ELITE 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.
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Last updated: 18 July 2026

Comparing 3 cards side by side: ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card, SBI AURUM Credit Card, SBI ELITE Credit Card. 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. SBI ELITE Credit Card costs ₹4,999 + GST and earns 5X RPs (10 RPs/Rs.100) on Dining, Dept. Stores, Groceries; 2 RPs/Rs.100 on other spends. Compare the fee and reward differences above against your priority spend category — travel, dining, shopping, or fuel — to pick the right fit.

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹12,000 + GST
Joining Fee₹9,999 + GST
Joining Fee₹4,999 + GST
Renewal Fee₹12,000 + GST
Renewal Fee₹9,999 + GST
Renewal Fee₹4,999 + 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.
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waived on annual spends of ₹10 Lakh or more in the previous anniversary year.
Foreign Transaction Fees2% on international transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees1.99% of the transaction amount.
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).
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.
Welcome Bonus₹5,000 e-Gift Voucher, complimentary Priority Pass membership ($99 value), and 1-year Club ITC Silver Tier.
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.
Rewards Rate10 RPs/₹100 on dining, grocery & departmental stores (capped). 2 RPs/₹100 on other spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + applicable taxes per redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST per redemption.

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).
Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits per quarter via Visa/MasterCard/AmEx networks.
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.
International Lounge Access6 complimentary international lounge visits annually (max 2/quarter) with 2-year Priority Pass.
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).
Travel BenefitsDiscounts on hotels (Lalit, F&B), car rentals (Hertz, Avis), luxury hotel privileges & Tablet Plus.
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).
Movie Benefits2 complimentary movie tickets monthly (max ₹6,000 annually, ₹250/ticket) for primary cardholders.
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.
Dining Benefits10X RPs on dining. Up to 25% off at partner restaurants & up to ₹600 instant discount on food apps (AmEx).
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.
Golf BenefitsComplimentary golf rounds (4 green fees) & 1 lesson monthly with MasterCard/RuPay variants.
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.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions (₹500-₹4,000), capped at ₹250 per month.

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).
Insurance Benefits₹1 lakh lost card liability cover & ₹1 lakh credit card fraud liability cover.
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.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of withdrawal amount, minimum ₹500.
Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

SBI AURUM Credit Card

SBI ELITE Credit Card

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

Who is it for?

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.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

The SBI ELITE Credit Card offers generous welcome benefits, including a ₹5,000 e-Gift Voucher.

Enjoy comprehensive lounge access with 2 domestic visits quarterly and 6 international visits annually.

The card provides extensive privileges across travel, dining, and shopping, making it a versatile choice.

Annual fee waiver on ₹10 lakhs annual spend is achievable for high spenders, offsetting the cost.

Excellent travel and lifestyle privileges cater perfectly to frequent travelers and luxury enthusiasts.

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.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

The general reward rate of 0.5% on most spends is lower than some competing premium cards.

The high annual fee of ₹4,999 can be a drawback if the spend-based waiver condition is not met.

Add-on cardholders do not receive international lounge access, limiting benefits for family members.

The accelerated 10X reward points are capped monthly, limiting high earners from maximizing benefits.

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.