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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card AURUM 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

SBI Card AURUM

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹9,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

FeatureSBI Card AURUMICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹9,999₹12,499
Joining Fee₹9,999₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹12,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%3%
Reward CurrencyAURUM Reward PointICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating8.5/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card AURUM

No accelerated rewards listed

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

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.

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

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.

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: SBI Card AURUM 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, SBI Card AURUM could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM has an annual fee of ₹9,999, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. SBI Card AURUM offers a fee waiver on ₹12,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: SBI Card AURUM or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card AURUM offers a base reward rate of 1%. 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 SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card AURUM and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: SBI Card AURUM or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
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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