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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

6E Rewards - IndiGo 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

6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card

7.8/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards1%
NetworkMastercard
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ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

9/10
Annual Fee₹12,499
Base Rewards3%
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Feature6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI CardICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee₹500₹12,499
Joining Fee₹500₹12,499
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹10,00,000
Base Reward Rate1%3%
Reward Currency6E RewardsICICI Reward Points
NetworkMastercardMastercard
Editor Rating7.8/109/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card

  • 3% on IndiGo - TRAVEL
  • 2% on TRAVEL

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card

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

Pros & Cons

6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card

Pros

  • Welcome voucher of 1,500 INR effectively covers the joining fee for the first three years
  • Accelerated 2% rewards on IndiGo ticket bookings with no upper cap
  • Includes 6E Prime add-ons: Priority check-in, choice of seat, and a complimentary meal
  • Solid 1.5% reward rate on daily categories like Dining, Grocery, and Entertainment

Cons

  • No complimentary domestic or international airport lounge access
  • Reward points can only be redeemed for IndiGo flight tickets and services
  • High annual interest rate of 42% on outstanding balances

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, 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card if

Travelers who prioritize IndiGo for domestic flights and want to earn free tickets through daily 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: 6E Rewards - IndiGo 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, 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹12,499. ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹10,00,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 1% with accelerated rewards on IndiGo - TRAVEL and TRAVEL. 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 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. 6E Rewards - IndiGo 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: 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
For beginners, 6E Rewards - IndiGo SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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