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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank vs Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

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

HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkRuPay
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ICICI Bank

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureHDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC BankEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹10,000
Joining Fee₹499₹10,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate1%1%
Reward CurrencyNeuCoinSkywards Miles
NetworkRuPayVisa
Editor Rating8.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

  • 0% on Tata Neu App & Partner Brands
  • 0% on Tata Neu App (with NeuPass)
  • 0% on Tata Neu UPI Spends
  • 0% on Other UPI Spends

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

Pros & Cons

HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

Pros

  • Up to 7% value back on Tata Neu app spends (2% base + 5% NeuPass).
  • 1% back on UPI spends via Tata Neu UPI (RuPay variant).
  • 1 NeuCoin = ₹1, offering simple and transparent redemption.
  • Low annual fee of ₹499 with a reachable waiver at ₹1 Lakh spend.

Cons

  • Domestic lounge access is now milestone-based (₹50,000 spend per quarter).
  • No international lounge access compared to the Infinity variant.
  • Reward capping on grocery spends (1,000 NeuCoins per month).

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.

Our Verdict

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

Choose HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank if

High rewards on BigBasket, Croma, Tata 1mg, and Air India.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank has an annual fee of ₹499, while Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000. HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Tata Neu App & Partner Brands and Tata Neu App (with NeuPass). Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers 1% base rewards with bonuses on Emirates Bookings. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
For beginners, HDFC Bank - Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank 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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