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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal 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

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

FeatureICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit CardSBI Card AURUM
Annual Fee₹12,499₹9,999
Joining Fee₹12,499₹9,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹12,00,000
Base Reward Rate3%1%
Reward CurrencyICICI Reward PointsAURUM Reward Point
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

SBI Card AURUM

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).

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

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card AURUM 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 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: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499, while SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or SBI Card AURUM?
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. SBI Card AURUM 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 SBI Card AURUM?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and SBI Card AURUM can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal 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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