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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Tata Star 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

Tata Star SBI Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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ICICI Bank

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹10,000
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureTata Star 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 Rate1%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointSkywards Miles
NetworkVisaVisa
Editor Rating7.8/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Tata Star SBI Card

  • 0% on Grocery
  • 0% on Dining
  • 0% on International

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card

  • 2.5% on Emirates Bookings

Pros & Cons

Tata Star SBI Card

Pros

  • High 3.5% value back at all Star Bazaar and Star Market outlets.
  • Up to 5% value back at select Tata partner brands like Westside and Croma.
  • Excellent 1:1 reward redemption ratio where 1 Reward Point equals ₹1.
  • Welcome gift voucher of ₹1,000 effectively covers the joining fee for two years.

Cons

  • No complimentary airport lounge access in this variant.
  • Rewards are most valuable only when redeemed within the Tata ecosystem.
  • Base reward rate of 1% is modest for non-partner retail spends.

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

Choose Tata Star SBI Card if

High value back at Star Bazaar makes it one of the best entry-level cards for monthly grocery runs.

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: Tata Star 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, Tata Star SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between Tata Star SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Tata Star SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹10,000. Tata Star SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Tata Star SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Tata Star SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Grocery and Dining. 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 Tata Star SBI Card and Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Tata Star 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: Tata Star SBI Card or Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
For beginners, Tata Star 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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