ICICI Emeralde Credit Card Upgrade (Paid) – Any Way to Convert to LTF?

[Nandha]

Hi TFians,

I recently received an upgrade to the ICICI Emeralde Credit Card (plastic variant) with a ₹12,000 annual fee (paid) in the iMobile app– not the metal one.

Current Relationship with ICICI:

Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card

ICICI Coral Credit Card

Combined credit limit: ₹4.2L


The upgrade came through without me explicitly applying, and I was okay with going ahead since I can easily meet the spend requirement in the first year to get the fee waiver.

That said, I’d really prefer to get the card converted to Lifetime Free (LTF) – especially considering my long-standing relationship with ICICI and solid spends across cards.

Questions:

Has anyone here been able to convert Emeralde to LTF through any channel (branch/RM/email/escalation)?

I currently have one RBIO credit card mis selling (Rubyx) case against ICICI bank. Can I negotiate with that?

Any tips, contact points, or escalation path that worked for you?

Would closing Coral or Amazon Pay card help in getting a stronger case for LTF on Emeralde?

I have spent about 60L in the last 5 yrs with ICICI credit Cards.

Appreciate any help or experience you can share!

Thanks in advance!

 

[imdjay]

Got this from my Corporate RM.

 

[Aniket Sharma]

Got this from my Corporate RM.

View attachment 106538

Monthly 4 lakh and above for emeralde lol

 

[Nandha]

Just 12k or joining fee 12k plus first year fee 12k?

Only 12k + GST for joining which will be reversed on spending 10L. Let's see

 

[Aniket Sharma]

Only 12k + GST for joining which will be reversed on spending 10L. Let's see

That will not be reversed, you will be charged at the annual again & then that will be reversed

 

[Nandha]

That will not be reversed, you will be charged at the annual & then that will be reversed

There is no joining fees in Emeralde. They just charge the first year fee upfront. Got mail confirmation.

 

[Aniket Sharma]

There is no joining fees in Emeralde. They just charge the first year fee upfront. Got mail confirmation.

Keep this email this will be useful in fighting with icici

 

[Aniket Sharma]

There is no joining fees in Emeralde. They just charge the first year fee upfront. Got mail confirmation.

You can go through a post by technofino regarding its waiver that case is in court now

 

[Nandha]

Keep this email this will be useful in fighting with icici

Yeah. I don't trust banks. So my policy. Ask something and get it in writing. Then if it's not happening send a mail and wait for 30 days max. And then RBIO. will get extra as well. Already got over 20k that way.

 

[Nandha]

You can go through a post by technofino regarding its waiver that case is in court now

Yes I have gone through that.


I have got the card about a week back still not activated it yet as one RBI mis selling case going on for me with ICICI and I got all evidence in official mail and call recording. I am hoping to get this converted into LTF before activation. Let's see

 

[Lorddiesel]

I don't qualify via salary or ITR route. That's why considered this upgrade.

Wealth account, if you can afford