ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card Review
The ICICI Bank Emeralde is a super-premium card built around unlimited lounges, golf and high redemption value through ICICI’s iShop. It earns even on usually-excluded categories — though ICICI trimmed some in 2026. Here is the verified review.
- Unlimited domestic & international lounge access (primary)
- Up to 4 RP per ₹100 — incl. utilities & insurance
- ₹1/point value via iShop (6X flights / 12X hotels)
- Generous BookMyShow BOGO (up to ₹750)
- Golf rounds/lessons on spends
- Fee waived at ₹10 lakh spend
- No points on govt/fuel/rent/tax/wallet (from 15 Jan 2026)
- Movie BOGO now needs ₹25k prior-quarter spend
- Best value only via iShop redemption (₹0.25 elsewhere)
- High ₹12,000 fee
- Newer Emeralde Private Metal is a separate flagship
Fees & rewards
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹12,000 (waived on ₹10 lakh spend) |
| Rewards | Up to 4 RP per ₹100 (incl. utilities/insurance) |
| Point value | ₹1 via iShop; ₹0.25 statement credit |
| iShop | 6X flights / 12X hotels |
| Lounge | Unlimited domestic & international (primary) |
| 2026 exclusions | No points on govt/fuel/rent/tax/wallet (from 15 Jan 2026) |
Eligibility & documents
Tier
Super-premium
Income
High; per ICICI norms
Network
Visa
Best redemption
iShop (₹1/point)
Best for
High spenders who use iShop & lounges
Documents
PAN, Aadhaar, income & address proof
Who this card is for
- Best fit: high spenders who travel, golf and redeem via iShop for ₹1/point value.
- Skip if: much of your spend is now-excluded (fuel/rent/tax) or you won’t redeem via iShop.
How to apply & how to cancel
Apply: via icici.bank.in. Cancel: call ICICI after clearing dues; redeem via iShop first.
Final verdict
The ICICI Emeralde is a strong super-premium card — unlimited lounges, golf, a rich BookMyShow BOGO and ₹1/point value via iShop. The 2026 exclusions (no points on fuel/rent/tax/wallet) and the iShop-dependent value are the caveats; for high spenders who travel and redeem smartly, it’s excellent. Note ICICI’s newer metal Emeralde Private is the higher flagship.
Frequently asked questions
How much lounge access?
Unlimited domestic and international lounge access for the primary cardholder (international via Priority Pass).
What is a reward point worth?
₹1 when redeemed via ICICI iShop (with 6X/12X on iShop flights/hotels), versus ₹0.25 for statement credit.
What changed in 2026?
From 15 January 2026, no reward points are earned on government, fuel, rent, property-management, tax and third-party wallet spends; the movie BOGO now needs ₹25,000 prior-quarter spend.
Is this the metal Emeralde?
No — this is the Emeralde. ICICI’s newer flagship is the metal Emeralde Private.
Data current as of June 2026, cross-checked against ICICI Bank and aggregators. Reward rules changed in 2026 — confirm current terms on icici.bank.in before applying.