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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

Tata Star SBI Card 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

Tata Star SBI Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹499
Base Rewards1%
NetworkVisa
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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

FeatureTata Star SBI CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹499₹12,499
Joining Fee₹499₹12,499
Fee Waiver Spend₹1,00,000₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%3%
Reward CurrencyReward PointICICI Reward Points
NetworkVisaMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

Tata Star SBI Card

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

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

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.

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, 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 ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if

Exclusive invite-only access with premium lifestyle and concierge services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: Tata Star SBI Card 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, 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 ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Tata Star SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹499, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. Tata Star SBI Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,00,000 annual spend. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: Tata Star SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Tata Star SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on Grocery 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 Tata Star SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. Tata Star SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: Tata Star SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal 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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