Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Paytm 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

Paytm SBI Card

7.5/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkRuPay
View Full Details

ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeaturePaytm 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 Rate1%3%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsICICI Reward Points
NetworkRuPayMastercard
Editor Rating7.5/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Paytm SBI Card

  • 0% on Paytm Mall
  • 0% on Paytm Travel
  • 0% on Paytm Movies
  • 0% on Paytm App Spends

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

Paytm SBI Card

Pros

  • 3% reward points on Paytm Mall, movies, and travel bookings via Paytm app.
  • 2% reward points on all other purchases made through the Paytm app.
  • 1% reward points on all other retail spends, including offline and online stores.
  • Complimentary 1-year Paytm First Membership worth ₹750 as a welcome benefit.

Cons

  • No annual fee waiver based on spending; fee is fixed at ₹499.
  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Rewards are credited as Paytm Gift Vouchers, not direct statement credit.

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, Paytm SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Paytm SBI Card if

High reward rates of 2-3% on the Paytm ecosystem make it very rewarding for frequent app users.

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: Paytm 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, Paytm SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Paytm SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Paytm 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: Paytm SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Paytm SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Paytm Mall and Paytm Travel. 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 Paytm SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Paytm 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: Paytm SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, Paytm 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.

Related Comparisons

Paytm SBI Card vs Paytm HDFC Bank Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Paytm HDFC Bank Credit CardPaytm SBI Card vs Axis Bank ACE Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Axis Bank ACE Credit CardPaytm SBI Card vs Axis Bank - Flipkart Axis Bank Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Axis Bank - Flipkart Axis Bank Credit CardPaytm SBI Card vs Axis Bank Magnus Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Axis Bank Magnus Credit Card

Explore More

Paytm SBI Card Full ReviewICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card Full ReviewAll SBI Card CardsAll ICICI Bank CardsBrowse All Credit CardsCredit Card Guides & Tips