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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Delhi Metro SBI Card vs Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

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

SBI Card

Delhi Metro SBI Card

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards0.25%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
View Full Details

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureDelhi Metro SBI CardEmirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹10,000
Joining Fee₹499₹10,000
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000N/A
Base Reward Rate0.25%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointsSkywards Miles
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.2/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Delhi Metro SBI Card

  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on Movies
  • 0% on Groceries
  • 0% on Departmental Stores
  • 0% on Utility Bill Payments

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

Pros & Cons

Delhi Metro SBI Card

Pros

  • Dual-purpose card functioning as both a credit card and a Delhi Metro Smart Card.
  • Auto top-up facility of ₹200 whenever the metro balance falls below ₹100.
  • 10x reward points on daily essentials like groceries, dining, and utility bills.
  • 10% discount on Delhi Metro fares, consistent with standard smart card benefits.

Cons

  • Monthly reward points are capped at 5,000 per statement cycle.
  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access.
  • Low base reward rate of 0.25% on non-accelerated categories.

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

Pros

  • Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary cardholder.
  • Complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership providing priority check-in and boarding.
  • High reward rate of 2.5 Skywards Miles per ₹100 on all spends (except exclusions).
  • Generous movie benefit with Buy 1 Get 1 up to ₹750 off, 4 times a month.

Cons

  • High annual fee of ₹10,000 with no specified spend-based waiver.
  • High foreign currency markup of 3.5% despite being a premium travel card.
  • Miles are primarily valuable only for Emirates loyalists.

Our Verdict

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Delhi Metro SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose Delhi Metro SBI Card if

The auto top-up and fare discounts make it highly convenient for regular Delhi Metro users.

Choose Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card if

Silver Tier status and high mile earn rate on Emirates bookings make it highly rewarding for loyalists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Delhi Metro SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, Delhi Metro SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Delhi Metro SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Delhi Metro SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000. Delhi Metro SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Delhi Metro SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Delhi Metro SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.25% with accelerated rewards on Dining and Movies. Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers 1% base rewards with bonuses on Emirates Bookings. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both Delhi Metro SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Delhi Metro SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Delhi Metro SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
For beginners, Delhi Metro 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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