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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card vs SBI Card PRIME

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 PRIME

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹2,999
Base Rewards0.125%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit CardSBI Card PRIME
Annual Fee₹10,000₹2,999
Joining Fee₹10,000₹2,999
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹3,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%0.125%
Reward CurrencySkywards MilesReward Points
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

SBI Card PRIME

  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Movies

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 PRIME

Pros

  • Accelerated 10 Reward Points per ₹100 on dining, groceries, and movies (2.5% value back).
  • Generous welcome benefit with a ₹3,000 e-gift voucher that offsets the joining fee.
  • Comprehensive lounge access with 8 domestic and 4 international visits annually.
  • Milestone vouchers worth up to ₹11,000 annually on reaching spend targets.

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% (2 points per ₹100) on general spends.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% compared to other premium cards.
  • Reward points on utility bills are capped and only applicable for standing instructions.

Our Verdict

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PRIME 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 SBI Card PRIME if

High rewards on everyday categories like dining, groceries, and movies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or SBI Card PRIME?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card PRIME 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 SBI Card PRIME?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000, while SBI Card PRIME has an annual fee of ₹2,999. SBI Card PRIME offers a fee waiver on ₹3,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card or SBI Card PRIME?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Emirates Bookings. SBI Card PRIME offers 0.125% base rewards with bonuses on Dining and Groceries. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME 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 PRIME?
For beginners, SBI Card PRIME may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹2,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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