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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card

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

ICICI Bank

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹5,000
Base Rewards0.75%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit CardICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card
Annual Fee₹10,000₹5,000
Joining Fee₹10,000₹5,000
Fee Waiver SpendN/AN/A
Base Reward Rate1%0.75%
Reward CurrencySkywards MilesSkywards Miles
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/107.2/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary cardholder.
  • Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership providing priority check-in and boarding.
  • High reward rate of 2.5 Skywards Miles per ₹100 on all spends (except exclusions).
  • Generous movie benefit with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹750 off, 4 times a month.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹10,000 with no specified spend-based waiver.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% despite being a premium travel card.
  • Miles are primarily valuable only for Emirates loyalists.

ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card

Pros

  • Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier Membership for the first year.
  • Earn up to 2 Skywards Miles per ₹100 spent on all categories except exclusions.
  • Welcome bonus of 5,000 Skywards Miles upon payment of joining fee.
  • Buy One Get One offer on BookMyShow (up to ₹500 off) twice a month.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver regardless of annual spend.
  • Domestic lounge access requires a minimum spend of ₹75,000 in the preceding quarter.
  • High foreign currency markup fee of 3.5%.

Our Verdict

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

Choose Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card if

Silver Tier status and high mile earn rate on Emirates bookings make it highly rewarding for loyalists.

Choose ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card if

Direct earning of Skywards Miles and Silver Tier status benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000, while ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹5,000.
Which card has better rewards: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Emirates Bookings. ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card offers 0.75% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card?
For beginners, ICICI Bank Emirates Skywards Sapphiro Credit Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹5,000. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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