Just wanted to share my recent experience upgrading from ICICI Sapphiro (dual variant, LTF, ₹15L limit) to the Emerald Private Metal card. I’ve had the Sapphiro for over a year now, and for the past 6 months or so, the Emerald PVC was showing up as an upgrade option on iMobile – but only as a paid card. Since I already have Infinia and Amex Plat Charge, I didn’t really feel the need to go for it. But with the launch of iShop and some buzz around EPM lately, the card started to seem more attractive.
I thought I’d give it a shot and tried the usual HDFC-style route – emailed ICICI customer care and even some higher-ups. Every one of them gave me the same response: “Can’t be done via email, please contact your RM/BM.”
Since I hold a salary account with ICICI (in a Tier-2 city), I reached out to my RM. They started the application, raised a case and sent it for approval – but it got rejected. Reason? Apparently, I don’t hold any major “relationships” with ICICI like loans or insurance, so they wouldn’t approve it. Bit of a bummer.
Around this time, I came across a few posts here from people who got approved for EPM even without having any prior ICICI cards or accounts – just by meeting the ₹3L/month salary criteria and applying through a company tied corporate contact. That gave me some hope.
So right after the rejection, I contacted our company tied ICICI corporate manager (via my company’s tie-up), and this time things moved fast. He got it escalated to the state head, and within 5–7 days, the card showed up in my iMobile app. No VKYC needed this time – it was just silently approved.
For context:
Link to my 1st application
Hope this helps anyone stuck in a similar spot!
Thanks Mate for your info about corporate route in your post @mystic
I have a question now about the limit
I am able to see both the cards now in iMobile but the limit isn't shared I believe as both are showing different balances. Maybe it will take sometime to reflect? or I have been approved same separate limit for both and got lucky?
Sapphiro Card:
EPM Card:
I thought I’d give it a shot and tried the usual HDFC-style route – emailed ICICI customer care and even some higher-ups. Every one of them gave me the same response: “Can’t be done via email, please contact your RM/BM.”
Since I hold a salary account with ICICI (in a Tier-2 city), I reached out to my RM. They started the application, raised a case and sent it for approval – but it got rejected. Reason? Apparently, I don’t hold any major “relationships” with ICICI like loans or insurance, so they wouldn’t approve it. Bit of a bummer.
Around this time, I came across a few posts here from people who got approved for EPM even without having any prior ICICI cards or accounts – just by meeting the ₹3L/month salary criteria and applying through a company tied corporate contact. That gave me some hope.
So right after the rejection, I contacted our company tied ICICI corporate manager (via my company’s tie-up), and this time things moved fast. He got it escalated to the state head, and within 5–7 days, the card showed up in my iMobile app. No VKYC needed this time – it was just silently approved.
For context:
- 1st attempt (via RM): Did VKYC but Rejected.
- 2nd attempt (via corporate route): Approved quickly, no VKYC.
Link to my 1st application
Hope this helps anyone stuck in a similar spot!
Thanks Mate for your info about corporate route in your post @mystic
I have a question now about the limit
I am able to see both the cards now in iMobile but the limit isn't shared I believe as both are showing different balances. Maybe it will take sometime to reflect? or I have been approved same separate limit for both and got lucky?
Sapphiro Card:
EPM Card:
