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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹12,499
Base Rewards3%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureAxis Bank ACE Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹12,499
Joining Fee₹499₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%3%
Reward CurrencyCashbackICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8.5/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

  • 0% on Hotels via iShop
  • 0% on Flights via iShop

Pros & Cons

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% cashback on utility bills and recharges via Google Pay (Android only)
  • 4% cashback on Swiggy, Zomato, and Ola with no individual merchant capping
  • Flat 1.5% uncapped cashback on all other eligible spends
  • Complimentary domestic lounge access (4 visits per year)

Cons

  • Combined monthly capping of ₹500 on 5% and 4% cashback categories
  • Lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹50,000 in the previous 3 months
  • 5% utility cashback is restricted to Google Pay on Android devices

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for both primary and add-on cardholders.
  • High base reward rate of 3% (6 points per ₹200) with 1:1 redemption value on travel.
  • Comprehensive welcome benefits including Taj Epicure Plus and EazyDiner Prime memberships.
  • Zero late payment, overlimit, and cash advance fees.

Cons

  • High card replacement fee of ₹3,500 for the metal variant.
  • Taj Epicure membership is only for the first year and not renewed annually.
  • BookMyShow benefit now requires a quarterly spend of ₹25,000 (effective 2026).

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

Highest cashback rate in the market for electricity, gas, and internet bills via GPay.

Choose ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if

Exclusive invite-only access with premium lifestyle and concierge services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1%. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers 3% base rewards with bonuses on Hotels via iShop and Flights via iShop. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Axis Bank ACE Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, Axis Bank ACE Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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