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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs SBI Card MILES ELITE

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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit CardSBI Card MILES ELITE
Annual Fee₹12,499₹4,999
Joining Fee₹12,499₹4,999
Fee Waiver Spend₹10,00,000₹15,00,000
Base Reward Rate3%1%
Reward CurrencyICICI Reward PointsTravel Credits
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Editor Rating9/108.2/10
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 MILES ELITE

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 MILES ELITE

Pros

  • High 3% reward rate on travel spends (6 Travel Credits per ₹200).
  • 1:1 conversion ratio for Travel Credits to Air Miles and Hotel Points with major partners.
  • Unique spend-linked domestic lounge access (1 extra visit per ₹1 Lakh spend).
  • Low foreign currency markup of 1.99%, ideal for international travelers.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹4,999 with a steep waiver threshold of ₹15 Lakhs.
  • Lounge access is capped per quarter (2 visits), which may be restrictive for frequent flyers.
  • Air Accident insurance coverage was discontinued as of July 2025.

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE if

High reward rates on flights and hotels with 1:1 mile conversion across multiple airlines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499, while SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card or SBI Card MILES ELITE?
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 MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE?
For beginners, SBI Card MILES ELITE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹4,999. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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