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ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card Launched

ICICI Bank has launched the Emerald Private Metal Credit Card, which offers all the benefits of the ICICI Emerald Credit Card along with a few additional benefits.

Welcome Benefits:
  1. Taj Epicure membership for the first year. [You'll get one stay voucher with this]
  2. Receive 12,500 bonus reward points after annual fee payment each year.
  3. EazyDiner Prime membership (renewed annually).
Main Benefits:
  1. Unlimited golf games/lessons for the primary cardholder.
  2. Unlimited domestic airport lounge access using the Emerald Private Metal Credit Card for both the primary and add-on cardholders.
  3. Unlimited international airport lounge access using Priority Pass for both the primary and add-on cardholders.
  4. Buy one, get one free movie/event ticket from BookMyShow twice per month. Maximum Discount: Rs. 750 per ticket.
  5. Up to Rs. 12,000 refund for a maximum of 2 transactions per year on tickets booked exclusively with the Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card.
  6. Discounted markup fees: 2%.
  7. 1% fuel surcharge waiver for all transactions up to Rs. 4000. Maximum surcharges waiver - Rs. 1000 per statement cycle.
  8. No Extra Charges/Penalty For: Cash Withdrawal, Over limit, Late payment.
  9. You can get 3 complimentary add-on cards
Reward System:
Earn 6 reward points for every Rs. 200 spent.
No reward points on Tax Payment, Rent payments, EMI and Fuel purchases.

Reward Points Value:
Flight/Hotel Booking: 1 reward point = Rs. 1
Gift Vouchers*: 1 reward point = Rs. 1
Rewards Catalogue [other products]: 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60
Statement Credit: 1 reward point = Rs. 0.40

*Brands' Gift Vouchers available under the 1:1 redemption ratio include:
  • Travel Category: MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, Hyaat, Marriott International, ITC Hotels, Taj Hotels.

    Screenshot 2023-11-29 at 9.01.14 PM.png
  • Electronics: Apple
  • Luxury Brands: Tanishq, Mothercare [Luxe], G-Star Raw [Luxe], Giorgio Armani [Luxe], Emporio Armani [Luxe], Canali [Luxe], Coach [Luxe], Tumi [Luxe], Scotch & Soda [Luxe], Jimmy Choo [Luxe]
There are lots of other brand vouchers available, but for those, you'll get a value of 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60. I think you have a decent option available under the 1:1 redemption category. ITC, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, and other travel-related vouchers are worth considering. So, in terms of redemption options, I must say this is a decent card. And I think this is better than HDFC SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption system. The main downside of SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption is that you can't use 100% reward points. However, in the case of ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card, you can just get an MMT voucher or any other travel voucher and book your flights or hotels.

Reward Rate:
Flight/Hotel Booking: 3%
Gift Vouchers: 3%
Rewards Catalogue: 1.8%
Statement Credit: 1.2%

Reward Redemption:
You can redeem your ICICI Bank Reward Points across Catalogues, from movie and travel vouchers to lifestyle products, mobiles, appliances, statement credit and more.
Redemption of Reward Points against statement balance (cashback redemption) is capped at 50,000 Reward Points per Statement cycle.

Reward Capping:
  • Reward Points earned on Insurance transaction will be capped at 5,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 1,66,800]
  • Reward Points earned on grocery transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]
  • Reward Points earned on Utilities transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]
  • Reward Points earned on Education transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]

Milestone Benefits:
Spend Rs. 8 lakhs per year and receive 2 air travel vouchers worth Rs. 3000 each (total Rs. 6000) from EaseMyTrip. Reward Rate: 0.75%.
Spends 4 Lakhs and get first EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 3000/-​
Spends 8 Lakhs and get your second EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 3000/-​

Charges:
Joining Fee: Rs. 12,499 + GST.
Annual Fee: Rs. 12,499 + GST.
Annual Fee Reversal Criteria: Spend Rs. 10 lakhs in the next card membership year to have your annual fee reversed.

Card Replacement Fees: Rs. 3500/-

Opinion:
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is the flagship credit card of ICICI Bank. When considering the reward rate, I must say this card offers decent value back on spending. The main drawback is that ICICI Bank does not offer a reward points transfer feature like HDFC Bank or Axis Bank.
Typically, credit cards of this nature provide the option to transfer points. However, in this case, we can only redeem our reward points for brand gift vouchers. I hope ICICI Bank will address this issue and introduce some transfer partners soon. You'll receive 12,500 reward points worth Rs. 12,500 on joining, so mathematically you'll only need to pay the GST (Approx. Rs. 2250/-) each year, similar to the SC Ultimate credit card. Additionally, you'll receive Taj Epicure membership for the first year with this card, allowing you to enjoy a complimentary stay at a Taj hotel. This benefit can help offset your card's joining fees effectively.
Overall, this is a good credit card, unlike other gemstone cards, as it offers a better reward rate. If you are seeking a premium credit card but don't plan to redeem your reward points for airline miles and instead prefer gift vouchers, then this credit card is for you.
 
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K.R

TF Premier
VIP Lounge
If compared to Infinia this card is pretty mediocre. If someone is into hotel points / airmile game I don't see any point using Emeralde private over Infinia.

It's just a nice card to keep since renewal is compensated with equal number of points like Infinia and use it for BMS / PP benefits.
The advantage is see is for festive sale offers where one can get the discounts from Amazon / Flipkart along with additional 3% which is a nice option.

Also ICICI is trying to compare this card with Infinia, Magnus and Amex reserve. Their sales desk has not took the Real power of Infinia ( smartbuy GV and airmile conversion) or Magnus 5:4 conversion into account.

Screenshot_20231102_231246_Drive.jpg
Infinia is far better anytime for people into miles as one can get better realization ( depending on how you use miles). However people who are not into miles and GYFTR etc Emerald Private is a good card. As of now I think Infinia is above Emarald Private. But if one is getting it its no harm in having it
 

MilesMax

TF Ace
VIP Lounge
Infinia is far better anytime for people into miles as one can get better realization ( depending on how you use miles). However people who are not into miles and GYFTR etc Emerald Private is a good card. As of now I think Infinia is above Emarald Private. But if one is getting it its no harm in having it
I agree.
But It was funny when the ICICI branch guy showed me that comparison pic and said as if this card is best card ever among the competition :p
 

MilesMax

TF Ace
VIP Lounge
May be he meant, Best card ever in ICICI CC portfolio…
The comparison pic has Infinia, Magnus and Amex Plat Reserve 😄
But I didn't expect him to know about other bank cards either. I was happy that he atleast knew this private metal card exists and it's features. Thanks to some other previous customer.

He also said one of his other customers sent this pic. So it's us normal users educating bank employees about their own products.

Screenshot_20231102_231246_Drive.jpg
 

NeoOnWheels

TF Premier
any use case are you seeing in emeralde private metal compare to Infinia ?
Biggest benefit is 3% cashback through statement credit. Infinia is awesome when you use it for accelerated rewards and Infinia is hard to come by, so this could be another alternative now.

Both give more or less similar non spend benefits. Infinia has Marriott membership while Emeralde metal gives movie tkt upto 750 free every month.
 

amitr29

TF Premier
VIP Lounge
The comparison pic has Infinia, Magnus and Amex Plat Reserve 😄
But I didn't expect him to know about other bank cards either. I was happy that he atleast knew this private metal card exists and it's features. Thanks to some other previous customer.

He also said one of his other customers sent this pic. So it's us normal users educating bank employees about their own products.

Screenshot_20231102_231246_Drive.jpg
Magnus Burgundy remains the undisputed king. I spent 8 lacs this month on normal purchases (without Gyftr) and received 1.23 lac points. Which I transferred to Accor and got 1 lac accor points worth Rs.1.80 lacs. This is amazing 22.50% return and no card can give such return on normal purchases.
 

heysac

TF Select
VIP Lounge
What are the benefits/perks of Private Banking Debit card? Is it offered on Visa or Master card variants?
No special perks that I have used! 0.5 p rewards for Rs 200 spends. rest of the perks are covered by any decent credit card so no use!
 

shrewdoc

TF Ace
Magnus Burgundy remains the undisputed king. I spent 8 lacs this month on normal purchases (without Gyftr) and received 1.23 lac points. Which I transferred to Accor and got 1 lac accor points worth Rs.1.80 lacs. This is amazing 22.50% return and no card can give such return on normal purchases.
If you have that high spends, and are in points game, yes Magnus Burgundy is the Ace.

But I think Emeralde Private is kind of Cashback + Lifestyle card.
 

Harry1

TF Legend
VIP Lounge
Anyone got this without icici savings account and pre-approved offer by manually applying?

I only have paid Sapphiro offers, even though I already have LTF Sapphiro of all 3 variants.
 

MilesMax

TF Ace
VIP Lounge
Anyone got this without icici savings account and pre-approved offer by manually applying?

I only have paid Sapphiro offers, even though I already have LTF Sapphiro of all 3 variants.
Manual applications will be rejected.
I think icici account relationship is mandatory to get an invite. Atleast for the time being.
 

NeoOnWheels

TF Premier
Iam Planning to apply for the card today/tomorrow as it is a no harm card. No issues if I get or not get it :)
Even I might give it a try.

3% cashback is the highlight as this card wont make you spend more money to realize your rewards. For e.g., Infinia/Magnus you need to spend on air travel/hotels to realize the 1:1 RP to cashback.

This to me at least is a no non-sense card as it allows 1:1 ratio on cashbacks through credit settlement.

I feel those who cannot manage Infinia, DCB + Emeralde metal will give you a perfect balance on your spends.
 

MilesMax

TF Ace
VIP Lounge
Is there any internal bank criteria to get this card? Because customer care isn't revealing anything and bank employees doesn't seem know either. All they say is if you are eligible you'll get the invite.

Does the Account has to be wealth management / wealth Select or even Privileged account users are also eligible?
Salary or NRV criteria?
 

elite34700

TF Premier
VIP Lounge
In my opinion no invite only card has a set criteria. It all goes with exception. If the guy taking your application can push the product team and get a product deviation is what matters the most. Policy deviation is next to difficult but product deviation can be sorted out.
 

SmartyAadi

TF Premier
VIP Lounge
I am getting Emeralde offer in my iMobile app. It seems to be the old one though, any idea if can get the new one instead ? Old one is pretty crappy.
 

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