ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)
Verified by Grofi • 2026
Legacy Premium Tier
Mastercard / Visa NetworkIssued by ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

The legacy plastic predecessor to the metal flagship, this card offers unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access and up to ₹3,000 in monthly BookMyShow ticket discounts. While it features a low 1.5% forex markup, its 1% base reward rate has led most premium spenders to favor the Emeralde Private Metal.

4.8 / 5.0Grofi Rating
2,800+ Checked This Month
Zero Hard Inquiry
Annual Fee₹12,000 + GST (Or ₹1,000/month option)Waiver available
Joining Fee₹12,000 + GST (Or ₹1,000/month option)One-time fee
Reward Value4 Reward Points per ₹100 on all transactions + low 1.5% forex markupICICI Reward Points
Lounge AccessUnlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge visits for primary cardholderAirport Privileges
100% Paperless Digital ApplicationNo Hidden Processing FeesQuick V-KYC within 5 Minutes
GROFI EDITORIAL VERDICT

Why We Recommend The ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

A solid legacy card, though most high spenders now favor the Emeralde Private Metal for its superior 3% flat return rate.

Best Suited For

High earners prioritizing unlimited airport lounge visits and frequent BookMyShow movie outings.

Welcome Gift & Activation Benefits

Bonus Value
Complimentary airport concierge meet-and-assist services and golf access upon activation.

* Welcome benefits are typically unlocked upon payment of the joining fee and initial card activation within 30 to 90 days.

Benchmark Score

Grofi Expert Rating

9.4/ 10
Reward & Return Value9.6 / 10
Airport Lounge & Travel9.4 / 10
Fee-to-Value Ratio9.1 / 10
Ecosystem & Merchant Offers9.3 / 10
Independent Methodology

Our ratings assess real-world net reward yields after fee deductions, partner redemption flexibility, lounge conditions, and user transparency.

ESTIMATED VALUE CALCULATOR

How Much Can You Save with the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)?

Adjust your expected monthly card spends to calculate your real annual rewards and net savings.

₹50,000
₹10,000 / mo₹1,00,000 / mo₹2,50,000+ / mo
40% of spends

Includes flight & hotel bookings, partner brands (Amazon, Swiggy, Flipkart), dining, and online shopping.

Official Reward Rate SpecsICICI Reward Points
Base Spends4 ICICI Reward Points per ₹100 on all retail transactions (1.0% return)
Accelerated Spends1 ICICI Reward Point per ₹100 on utility and insurance payments

* Reward Point Value: ₹0.25 on statement credit or travel bookings.

Projected Annual Net Yield
Net Annual Savings & Value
₹-4,800

Based on annual spending of ₹6,00,000.

Gross Reward Value+₹7,200
Annual Renewal Fee-₹12,000
Estimated Reward Points~14,400 ICICI Reward Points
Tip: Waived on annual retail spends of ₹15,00,000 or more
TRANSPARENT PRICING

Fees & Charges Breakdown for ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

Zero hidden costs. Complete fee schedule verified with ICICI Bank official guidelines.

Joining FeeFREE
₹12,000 + GST (Or ₹1,000/month option)

One-time fee charged on the first statement

Annual / Renewal Fee
₹12,000 + GST (Or ₹1,000/month option)

Billed annually starting from the 2nd year

Spend-Based Fee Waiver
Waived on annual retail spends of ₹15,00,000 or more

Annual fee reversed upon crossing this spend milestone in the preceding card year

Forex Markup Fee
1.50% + GST

Charges applicable on foreign currency transactions and cross-border payments

Finance Charges (APR)
3.60% p.m. (43.2% p.a.)

Standard interest rate on revolving card balances

Cash Advance Fee
2.5% (Min. ₹500)

Fee on ATM cash withdrawals via credit card

Interest-Free Period
Up to 50 Days

From the first day of billing cycle till due date

How to Avoid the Annual Fee:Waived on annual retail spends of ₹15,00,000 or more
Statutory Goods & Services Tax (GST):Government Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 18% is applicable over and above all credit card fee components and finance charges.
TRAVEL & LUXURY PRIVILEGES

Airport Lounge Privileges on the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

Experience gourmet dining, quiet workspaces, and premium comforts before every flight.

India Terminals
Domestic Airport Lounge Access

Unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge visits for primary cardholder

Valid across 40+ domestic airport lounges including Mumbai (Adani), Delhi (Encalm), Bengaluru (080 Lounge), Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata terminals.

Complimentary buffet, beverages, high-speed Wi-Fi, and plush seating
Swipe ₹2 (Visa/Mastercard) or ₹25 (RuPay) authorization fee at entry
Operated via Mastercard / Visa Lounge Program & DreamFolks Network
Worldwide Terminals
International Lounge Access

Unlimited complimentary international airport lounge visits via Priority Pass

Access over 1,300+ luxury airport lounges globally across Dubai, London Heathrow, Singapore Changi, New York JFK, Frankfurt, and Doha.

Priority Pass / LoungeKey / DreamFolks Global membership supported
Guest privileges available as per card tier specifications
Worldwide access network via Priority Pass or DragonPass
Important Spend Condition for Lounge Access:No quarterly spend qualification hurdle required
KEY CARD HIGHLIGHTS

What Makes ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic) Stand Out?

Discover the top benefits, special offers, and protections engineered into this card.

Feature #1

Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge visits worldwide.

Feature #2

Buy 1 Get 1 free movie ticket on BookMyShow (up to ₹750 off on 2nd ticket, up to 4 times a month).

Feature #3

Low 1.50% foreign exchange markup on cross-border transactions.

BALANCED EDITORIAL ASSESSMENT

Pros & Cons of the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

An honest, transparent evaluation of strengths and limitations before you submit your application.

What We Love (Pros)

3 Advantages
  • Unlimited airport lounge access globally without spend hurdles.
  • Generous BookMyShow movie allowance (up to ₹3,000 monthly savings).
  • Subsidized 1.5% forex fee.

Things to Consider (Cons)

3 Limitations
  • High annual fee of ₹12,000 for a plastic card.
  • Base reward rate (1.0%) is noticeably lower than the Emeralde Private Metal (3.0%).
  • Very high fee waiver spend target of ₹15 Lakhs.
Independent Editorial Policy: Grofi never charges consumers for recommendations. All reviews are unbiased.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

Who Can Apply for the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)?

Review minimum income, credit score thresholds, and essential verification documents.

Minimum Income
₹2,50,000/month or ITR > ₹30,00,000/year

Net in-hand monthly or annual earnings

Age Requirement
21 – 65 Years

Primary applicant (18+ for add-ons)

Employment Profile
Salaried, CXOs, or Established Business Owners

With continuous employment proof

Residential Status
Resident Indian

With valid Indian address proof

Recommended Credit Score (CIBIL / Experian)

750+ Score Recommended

High Approval
300 (Poor)650 (Fair)750 (Good)900 (Excellent)

Applicants with a credit score of 750 or higher enjoy fast-tracked approval and preferential credit limits from ICICI Bank.

Documents Required

100% digital paperless verification via Video KYC. Keep these documents ready:

Identity & Address Proof

Aadhaar Card (linked with mobile number for OTP), Passport, Driving License, or Voter ID.

PAN Card

Mandatory physical or e-PAN copy required by RBI guidelines for all credit applications.

Proof of Income

Salaried: Last 3 months' salary slips or bank statements. Self-employed: Latest ITR computation.

Zero CIBIL Impact Soft Check
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Everything You Need to Know About ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)

Clear answers to common questions regarding annual fees, reward redemption, lounge rules, and delivery.

ALTERNATIVE CARDS

Explore Similar Cards from ICICI Bank

Compare rewards, annual fees, and airport lounge perks across alternative options.

ICICI BankVisa
Adani One ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card
Airport Ecosystem Card

Adani One ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card

Capitalizing on Adani’s rapidly expanding airport network across India, the Adani One Platinum Card provides up to 3% return inside Adani terminals on duty-free shopping, parking, and flights booked through the Adani One app. Points translate at a direct 1:1 ratio for travel bookings.

Annual Fee₹750 + GST
Reward RateUp to 3% Adani Reward Points on Adani ecosystem (Duty Free, Pranaam, Flights)
ICICI BankVisa Infinite
Adani One ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card
Premium Airport Transit Card

Adani One ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card

The premium tier of the Adani partnership delivers 7% reward return on spends within the Adani ecosystem, including duty-free shopping, valet parking, and airport meet-and-greet services. Combined with 16 annual domestic lounge visits and a reduced 2.00% forex markup, it caters directly to regular commercial flyers.

Annual Fee₹5,000 + GST
Reward RateUp to 7% Adani Reward Points on Adani ecosystem (Duty Free, Flights, Pranaam)
ICICI BankVisa
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card
Most Popular Lifetime Free Card

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card

The Amazon Pay ICICI Bank Credit Card is the benchmark for zero-friction cashback in India. Issued unconditionally Lifetime Free with zero annual or renewal charges, it delivers a flat 5% uncapped cashback for Amazon Prime members and 2% on utility bill payments and partner merchants. Earnings are automatically swept into your Amazon Pay balance each billing cycle, making it an essential everyday wallet card.

Annual FeeNil (Lifetime Free)
Reward Rate5% unlimited cashback on Amazon for Prime members + 1% flat elsewhere
Instant Digital Verification

Ready to Apply for the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (Plastic)?

Check your pre-approved credit limit and instant approval eligibility across ICICI Bank with 100% paperless verification and zero score impact.

100% Free ServiceNo CIBIL Score Impact256-Bit Bank Grade Encryption