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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE

8.2/10
Annual Fee₹4,999
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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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

FeatureSBI Card MILES ELITEICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹4,999₹12,499
Joining Fee₹4,999₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹15,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%3%
Reward CurrencyTravel CreditsICICI Reward Points
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Editor Rating8.2/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card MILES ELITE

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 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.

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 MILES ELITE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card MILES ELITE if

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

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 MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card MILES ELITE and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES ELITE has an annual fee of ₹4,999, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. SBI Card MILES ELITE offers a fee waiver on ₹15,00,000 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 MILES ELITE or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card MILES ELITE 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 MILES ELITE or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
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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