Priority Pass
ICICI Bank
Emeralde
The ICICI Emeralde is a travel-first card known for unlimited domestic and international lounge access and a low 2% forex markup. While its flexible monthly fee plan (₹1,000) is unique, its low 1% base reward rate makes it a "lifestyle utility" card rather than a points-earner.
Direct link to the issuer's website. Terms apply — verify current offer with the bank.
Data last updated 31 May 2026.
At a Glance
Annual Fee
₹12,000
Joining Fee
₹12,000
Fee Waiver
Spend ₹10,00,000 annually
Lounge Access
Unlimited lounge access
Forex Markup
2%
Effective Yield
1% – 12%
Our Take
The ICICI Emeralde is a travel-first card known for unlimited domestic and international lounge access and a low 2% forex markup. While its flexible monthly fee plan (₹1,000) is unique, its low 1% base reward rate makes it a "lifestyle utility" card rather than a points-earner.In 2026, ICICI tightened the screws on the Emeralde's "luxury" perks. To keep your Buy-One-Get-One (BOGO) movie benefits, you must now spend ₹25,000 in the preceding quarter. Additionally, while lounge access remains unlimited, new one-time add-on card fees of ₹3,500 and a 2% online gaming surcharge have been introduced. The standard reward value remains a lackluster ₹0.25 per point, though the iShop portal offers a workaround with up to 12% value-back on select travel bookings. It remains a top choice for frequent flyers prioritizing airport comfort over complex reward structures.
Pros
- Industry-Leading 3% Base Reward Rate: Offers a flat 3% value-back (1 RP = ₹1) on nearly all retail spends. Unlike HDFC or Axis, which use complex 'points-per-₹150' math, the simple 1:1 rupee redemption makes it the most transparent premium card in India.
- Hyper-Accelerated iShop Portal: Through the ICICI iShop portal, users can earn up to 12X rewards on hotels (36% value-back) and 6X on flights (18% value-back). This effectively makes it the highest-earning travel card for direct portal bookings in 2026.
- Elite Hospitality Memberships: Includes a complimentary Taj Epicure membership that comes with a free night stay at participating Taj properties. Combined with EazyDiner Prime, the tangible 'lifestyle' value often exceeds the annual fee within the first few months.
- Unlimited Lounge & Spa Access: Provides truly unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders. Uniquely, it also includes complimentary airport spa sessions via the Dreamfolks DragonPass membership.
- No-Questions-Asked Cancellation Cover: Offers a refund of up to ₹12,000 for any two flight, hotel, or movie ticket cancellations per year. This 'Peace of Mind' feature is a rare perk that provides significant value for flexible travelers.
Cons
- The 2026 Voucher 'Massacre': As of February 2026, ICICI has stripped the 6X multiplier from Amazon Pay and Swiggy vouchers on the iShop portal. This devalued the card for users who previously used it as a high-yield tool for daily digital spending.
- High Eligibility & Invite Barrier: This is strictly an 'Invite-Only' card reserved for ICICI Private Banking clients. Even with a high salary, you generally need a deep existing relationship with the bank to even be considered for an application.
- Restrictive Category Caps: Rewards on 'household' categories are now strictly capped. Utilities and Insurance earn points only up to ₹80,000 in monthly spends, and Groceries are capped at ₹40,000, limiting the card's utility for ultra-high-volume households.
- Stagnant Milestone Vouchers: The annual milestone rewards consist of EaseMyTrip vouchers worth ₹6,000 (at ₹8L spend). Compared to the bonus points offered by Infinia or Amex, these vouchers are less flexible and carry their own booking restrictions.
Earning & Redemption
How You Earn
| Category | Reward rate | Yield % | Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Spends (Domestic & Intl) | 4 Reward Points (RP) per ₹100 | 1.00% | No Upper Cap |
| iShop Portal (Accelerated) | Up to 48 RP per ₹100 | 12.00% | Varies by Merchant |
| Utilities & Insurance | 1 RP per ₹100 | 0.25% | No Upper Cap on points |
| Excluded Categories | No Points Earned | 0.0% | — |
Milestone Rewards
| Spend | Benefit | Value | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| ₹15 Lakh | Fee Waiver0 pts | ₹12,000 + GST Savings | Annual fee waived for the next year upon hitting ₹15 Lakhs annual spend. |
| ₹1 Lakh | Monthly Fee Waiver0 pts | ₹1,000 + GST Savings | For users on the 'Monthly Plan', the ₹1,000 fee is waived if ₹1L is spent in that month. |
| ₹0 Lakh | Birthday Perk0 pts | ₹5,000 Dining Voucher | Complimentary dining voucher from TATA Cliq on your birthday. |
Redemption Value
| Channel | Value per point | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Rewards Catalogue / Vouchers | ₹0.25 per point4:1 Ratio | Moderate (Vouchers for Taj, Apple, etc. are common choices) |
Essential Fine Print
Reward Exclusions
Excluded Categories: Fuel, Rent, and E-wallet loading transactions do not earn reward points.
Welcome Offer
Birthday Benefit
Shopping voucher from TATA CLiQ worth ₹5,000 (American Express Cardholders)
Lounge Access
Priority PassUnlimited International Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary access to international airport lounges worldwide via Priority Pass.
Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access
Unlimited complimentary access to domestic airport lounges across India
Travel Benefits
Low Forex Markup
Discounted foreign currency markup of 2% on all international transactions.
Air Accident Insurance
Complimentary air accident insurance cover up to ₹3 Crore.
Golf Benefits
Complimentary Golf Rounds
Get upto 4 rounds of complimentary golf rounds every month basis eligible spends
Milestone Benefits
Annual Fee Waiver
Renewal fee is waived if spends exceed ₹10,00,000 in the previous membership year.
Additional Features
Movie Benefits
Buy one get one free offer on movie and event tickets on BookMyShow, up to 4 times a month (maximum discount ₹750 per ticket). Note: You can enjoy the BookMyShow offer on your Credit Card by spending ₹ 25,000 or more in the preceding quarter.
24/7 Concierge
Dedicated lifestyle concierge for assistance with travel bookings, hotel reservations, and gifting.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Amount / Details |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹12,000 |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹12,000 |
| Fee Waiver Threshold | Spend ₹10,00,000 annually |
| Forex Markup | 2% |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 per redemption |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% surcharge |
Eligibility Criteria
Salaried
Age > 21 years, Monthly Income > ₹ 1.5 Lakhs
Self-Employed
Age > 21 years, Annual Income > ₹ 18 Lakhs
Ready to apply for Emeralde?
Annual fee: ₹12,000 · Waived on ₹10,00,000 spend
Annual fee
₹12,000
1% – 12% yield