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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

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

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

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹12,499
Base Rewards3%
NetworkMastercard
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Axis Bank

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit CardAxis Bank ACE Credit Card
Annual Fee₹12,499₹499
Joining Fee₹12,499₹499
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹2,00,000
Base Reward Rate3%1%
Reward CurrencyICICI Reward PointsCashback
NetworkMastercardVisa
Editor Rating9/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Axis Bank ACE Credit Card

No accelerated rewards listed

Pros & Cons

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).

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

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 ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if

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

Choose Axis Bank ACE Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE 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 ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499, while Axis Bank ACE Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹499. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 3% with accelerated rewards on Hotels via iShop and Flights via iShop. Axis Bank ACE Credit Card offers 1% base rewards. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and Axis Bank ACE Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or Axis Bank ACE 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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