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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card vs SBI Card AURUM

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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SBI Card

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit CardSBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹10,000₹9,999
Joining Fee₹10,000₹9,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%1%
Reward CurrencySkywards MilesAURUM Reward Point
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating8.5/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

SBI Card AURUM

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.

SBI Card AURUM

Pros

  • Welcome benefit of 40,000 points (₹10,000 value) fully offsets the joining fee.
  • Unlimited international lounge access with a rare complimentary guest visit per quarter.
  • Extensive lifestyle memberships including Club Marriott, Amazon Prime, and WSJ/Mint.
  • High-value milestone rewards including Apple and Taj vouchers worth up to ₹35,000 annually.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 1% compared to other super-premium cards.
  • Invite-only status makes it inaccessible to the general public.
  • High annual fee waiver threshold of ₹12 Lakhs.

Our Verdict

Both Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.

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 SBI Card AURUM if

The card offers a suite of luxury memberships, concierge services, and a metal form factor that aligns with an elite lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
Both Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM are strong options. Your choice should depend on your spending pattern and which card's rewards align better with your lifestyle.
What is the annual fee difference between Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Emirates Bookings. SBI Card AURUM offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
For beginners, SBI Card AURUM may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹9,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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