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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

SBI Card

Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card

6/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹12,499
Base Rewards3%
NetworkMastercard
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureLifestyle Home Centre Max SBI CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹12,499
Joining Fee₹499₹12,499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.25%3%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating6/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card

  • 1.25% on Landmark Stores - SHOPPING
  • 1.25% on DINING
  • 1.25% on MOVIES

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card

Pros

  • Accelerated 5 reward points per 100 spent at Landmark Group stores including Lifestyle, Max, and Home Centre.
  • Joining bonus of 2,000 points effectively offsets the first-year fee.
  • Cumulative milestone rewards of up to 16,000 points based on annual spending.
  • Rewards can be instantly redeemed at Landmark partner stores at a value of 0.25 INR per point.

Cons

  • Very low base reward rate of 0.25% on non-Landmark retail spends.
  • No complimentary airport lounge access or travel benefits.
  • High finance charges of 42% per annum if balances are not cleared.

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).

Our Verdict

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card if

Individuals who frequently shop for apparel and home decor at Max, Lifestyle, and Home Centre.

Choose ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Landmark Stores - SHOPPING and DINING. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers 3% base rewards with bonuses on Hotels via iShop and Flights via iShop. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, Lifestyle Home Centre Max SBI 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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