Vyaya
Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

SBI Card PULSE 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 PULSE

7.2/10
Annual Fee₹1,499
Base Rewards0.5%
NetworkVisa
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

FeatureSBI Card PULSEICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹1,499₹12,499
Joining Fee₹1,499₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹2,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate0.5%3%
Reward CurrencySBI Reward PointsICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.2/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

SBI Card PULSE

  • 0.62% on Pharmacy & Chemists
  • 0.62% on Dining
  • 0.62% on Movies

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

SBI Card PULSE

Pros

  • Complimentary Noise ColorFit Pulse Smartwatch worth up to ₹7,999 as a welcome gift.
  • Annual FITPASS PRO and Netmeds First memberships worth over ₹4,000.
  • High 2.5% reward rate (10 RP per ₹100) on pharmacies, chemists, dining, and movies.
  • 8 complimentary domestic lounge visits per year (2 per quarter).

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.5% on non-accelerated categories.
  • Priority Pass membership does not include any complimentary international visits.
  • Milestone voucher of ₹1,500 requires a high annual spend of ₹4 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 PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose SBI Card PULSE if

Offers dedicated memberships for gyms (FITPASS) and online medicine (Netmeds) along with high rewards on pharmacy spends.

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 PULSE 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 PULSE could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE has an annual fee of ₹1,499, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. SBI Card PULSE offers a fee waiver on ₹2,00,000 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 PULSE or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
SBI Card PULSE offers a base reward rate of 0.5% with accelerated rewards on Pharmacy & Chemists 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 SBI Card PULSE and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. SBI Card PULSE 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 PULSE or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, SBI Card PULSE may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹1,499. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

Related Comparisons

SBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Axis Bank My Zone Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs Axis Bank Magnus Credit CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs Axis Bank Magnus Credit CardSBI Card PULSE vs SBI Card AURUMICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card vs SBI Card AURUM

Explore More

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