Credit Card Comparison: HDFC Infinia vs. ICICI Bank Emerald Private Metal Credit Card (After iShop Launch)

Super-premium credit cards offer a host of exclusive benefits tailored for high-net-worth individuals. In this article, we compare two of the most prestigious options in India—the HDFC Infinia Credit Card and the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card. This comparison is based on official information from HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank, focusing on reward programs, travel perks, shopping advantages, and fees to help you make an informed decision.
Both cards feature a sleek metallic design, symbolizing exclusivity, but they differ significantly in rewards, benefits, and cost structures.

HDFC Infinia Credit Card​

Designed for high-spending individuals, the HDFC Infinia offers one of the most rewarding point redemption structures, making it an excellent choice for travel and luxury benefits.

Key Features:​

• Reward Points:
  • 5 Reward Points (RP) per ₹150 spent on retail purchases, including insurance, utilities, and education (except fuel).
  • Reward cap: 2,000 RP/month on grocery spends and 5,000 RP/day on insurance spends.
• Accelerated Rewards:
  • 10X RP on travel and shopping via SmartBuy.
  • High Redemption Value:
    • Flights & Hotels via SmartBuy: 1 RP = ₹1
    • Apple Products & Tanishq via SmartBuy: 1 RP = ₹1
    • Airmiles Conversion: 1 RP = 0.5 or 1 air mile
    • Cashback: 1 RP = ₹0.30
• Travel & Lifestyle Benefits:
  • Unlimited Airport Lounge Access (Domestic & International) for primary and add-on cardholders.
  • Club Marriott Membership (First year free) with dining and stay discounts.
  • Complimentary nights and buffets at select ITC Hotels.
  • Unlimited Golf Games at leading Indian and select international courses.
• Additional Perks:
  • Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on fuel spends between ₹400 & ₹1,00,000 (Max waiver: ₹1,000/month).
  • Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 2% + GST on international transactions.
  • 24x7 Concierge Services for travel, dining, and business assistance.
  • Insurance Coverage:
    • ₹3 Crore Air Accidental Cover.
    • ₹50 Lakh Emergency Overseas Hospitalization.
    • ₹9 Lakh Credit Shield Cover.
  • No Cash Advance Fee with an interest-free period of up to 50 days.

Drawbacks:​

• High Annual Fee: ₹14750 (1st yr free on spending 3 lacs in 90 days)
• Invitation-Only Eligibility: Difficult to obtain.
• Capped Accelerated Rewards: Max 15,000 bonus RP/day or month on SmartBuy.

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card​

The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal caters to frequent travelers with its unique reward structure and lifestyle benefits.

Key Features​

• Reward Points:
  • 6 RP per ₹200 spent across all retail categories, including groceries, utilities, education, and insurance.
  • Category Caps:
    • 1,000 RP cap per cycle for groceries, utilities, and education each.
    • 5,000 RP cap per cycle on insurance spends.
• Accelerated Rewards via iShop:
  | Category | iShop Multiplier | RP per ₹100 |
  |-----------|----------------|-------------|
  | Flights | 6X | 18 RP |
  | Hotels | 12X | 36 RP |
  | Shopping Vouchers | 6X | 18 RP |
• Reward Redemption:
  • Cashback & gifts: 1 RP = ₹0.25.
  • Flights, hotels & vouchers: 1 RP = ₹1.
  • Rewards catalog: 1 RP = ₹0.6.
  • Statement credit: 1 RP = ₹0.4.
• Travel & Lifestyle Benefits:
  • Unlimited Airport Lounge Access (Domestic & International)..
  • Travel Cancellation Cover: Up to ₹12,000 annually (max 2 cancellations per year).
  • Milestone Benefit: EaseMyTrip vouchers worth ₹6,000 (₹3,000 each at ₹4L & ₹8L spend milestones).
• Additional Perks:
  • Taj Epicure Membership (First year free) with dining, spa, and hotel discounts.
  • BOGO on BookMyShow tickets (Twice per month, max ₹750 per ticket).
  • Complimentary Golf Rounds (Up to 4 per month for ₹50,000+ spends in previous month).
  • Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% on all fuel transactions.
  • Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 2.36%
  • 24x7 i-Assist Concierge Services.
  • No Late Payment Fees or Over-Limit Charges.

Drawbacks:​

• High Annual Fee: ₹14749
• Lower Base Reward Rate 3%: Compared to HDFC Infinia 3.33%

Category-wise Comparison​

Feature	HDFC Infinia Credit Card	ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card
Annual Fee	₹14750 FYF	₹14749
Reward Points	5 RP per ₹150 spent (except fuel) 3.33%	6 RP per ₹200 spent (all spends) 3%
Accelerated Rewards	5x on flights; 10x on hotels via SmartBuy	6X on flights & shopping vouchers; 12X on hotels via iShop
Reward Point Value	1 RP = ₹1 for flights and hotels on SmartBuy	1 RP = ₹0.25 for cashback and gifts; up to ₹1 for other options
Reward Points Redemption	Flights & Hotels via SmartBuy (1 RP = ₹1); Apple Products & Tanishq Vouchers via SmartBuy (1 RP = ₹1); Airmiles (1 RP = 1 Airmile); Cashback (1 RP = ₹0.30)	Cashback & gifts (1 RP = ₹0.25); Flights, Hotels & Shopping Vouchers via iShop
Fuel Reward Points	Not applicable	Not Applicable
Lounge Access	Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access	Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access
Travel Benefits	Club Marriott membership	Travel Cancellation Cover
Foreign Currency Markup Fee	2.36% (1% refund upto 1000/mth via GVP)	2.36%
Fuel Benefits	1% surcharge waiver on fuel spends between ₹400 & ₹1,00,000 (Max: ₹1,000/mth)	1% surcharge waiver on all fuel spends
Shopping Benefits	10X RP via SmartBuy	6X RP on shopping vouchers via iShop; Milestone Benefit: EaseMyTrip vouchers
Hotel Benefits	10X RP on SmartBuy; Complimentary nights & buffet at participating ITC hotels	12X RP on hotel bookings via iShop; Complimentary Taj Epicure membership
Entertainment Benefits	NA	BOGO on BookMyShow movie/event tickets twice per month
Golf Benefits	Unlimited complimentary golf games	Complimentary golf round/lesson every month (with conditions)
Concierge Services	24x7 Concierge	24x7 Concierge
Cash Advance Fee	No fee	No fee
Additional Benefits	-	No late payment fees, no over-limit fees
Eligibility	Invitation-only	By invitation

Conclusion: Which Card is Right for You?​

• Choose HDFC Infinia if you prioritize high reward redemption rates, Club Marriott membership, and unlimited golf privileges. It is ideal for those who frequently book travel via SmartBuy and maximize accelerated rewards.
• Choose ICICI Emeralde Private Metal if you prefer higher reward multipliers on flights and hotels, and no extra charges on late payments or over-limit transactions. It suits frequent travelers who book via iShop.

Both cards cater to premium users, and your choice depends on your spending habits and reward preferences.
Which one suits you best? Share your thoughts!
There might be some mistakes in my creation, so please correct me if I am wrong. I will fix them accordingly.

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

Got the approvals, application done today
Once its delivered, will have TimesBlack+EPM+Amex Platinum Charge+MRCC+Platinum travel+axis atlas

never gonna spend another penny on hotels/flight😂

Congratulations bro 🎊

 

[Noxious]

Congratulations bro 🎊

Card issued, my RM rocks.

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

Card issued, my RM rocks.

Bhai bhai Bhai
Congo
Enjoyyy
Bhagwan aisa RM sabko de.

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Card issued, my RM rocks.

🎉 Congrats. Do you have wealth management account with them or is it private banking?

 

[kuchbhikuchbhi is verified member.]

🎉 Congrats. Do you have wealth management account with them or is it private banking?

He has 5cr TRV so
Approve to hona hi tha
Private hi rhi hogi

 

[shu_sha]

Card issued, my RM rocks.

It's not your RM
It was more on your TRV

Itne TRV se sab banks ke top CCs naa kharid lu mai 🤣

 

[Noxious]

🎉 Congrats. Do you have wealth management account with them or is it private banking?

Wealth Management, Private is 15cr+

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

Wealth Management, Private is 15cr+

Thanks, but when I checked with a PB RM, he told for Private banking, the TRV minimum limit is 50L.
See here, I have posted the details. If that is true, you will be eligible for private banking.

 

[MrReddy]

Card issued, my RM rocks.

What was the limit that was offered to you, same as existing card or even more.

 

[Noxious]

What was the limit that was offered to you, same as existing card or even more.

9 lakhs.
Same as coral

 

[Noxious]

Thanks, but when I checked with a PB RM, he told for Private banking, the TRV minimum limit is 50L.
See here, I have posted the details. If that is true, you will be eligible for private banking.

This was shared to me by ICICI bank for their banking tiers.
Anyways, I dont see any benefits in Private Banking as compared to Wealth Management so I cant bother inquiring about that.
Probably they will approve me for PB if I ask for it, but whats the actual benefits?

 

[cardio_guycardio_guy is verified member.]

This was shared to me by ICICI bank for their banking tiers.
Anyways, I dont see any benefits in Private Banking as compared to Wealth Management so I cant bother inquiring about that.
Probably they will approve me for RB if I ask for it, but whats the actual benefits?

Right, I will check with my PB RM whom I am talking to. I have also seen this slide.
BTW, Like many people told, there is no special specific benefit on PB over WM or basic account.
For high net worth clients, it is just a platform to pitch their sales ideas. Nothing apart from that I guess.

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

Card issued, my RM rocks.

Congratulations bro 🎊

 

[Noxious]

Congratulations bro 🎊

Whats the update on your application

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

Whats the update on your application

My branch manager didn’t even process my application further, so for now, there's no chance of me getting this card. Meanwhile, my Private Banking status got downgraded to Privilege Banking. Now, I’m planning to file a complaint with the RBI regarding this Private Banking issue. Let’s see what happens.

 

[kvndsz512]

My branch manager didn’t even process my application further, so for now, there's no chance of me getting this card. Meanwhile, my Private Banking status got downgraded to Privilege Banking. Now, I’m planning to file a complaint with the RBI regarding this Private Banking issue. Let’s see what happens.

no where it is mentioned about private banking with times card xD but if u have 5cr trv then sure u should have not been downgraded.. then u can fight easily and after such trv u can even push for epm

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

no where it is mentioned about private banking with times card xD but if u have 5cr trv then sure u should have not been downgraded.. then u can fight easily and after such trv u can even push for epm

First of all, a ₹5 crore TRV (Total Relationship Value) is not required for private banking. A TRV of over ₹50 lakh is sufficient, and if you have a long-standing and strong relationship with the bank, you can be upgraded to private banking.

Before being upgraded to private banking, my account was first upgraded to wealth banking. However, when they downgraded my status, they moved me to privilege banking instead.

As for the ICICI Emeralde Private (EMP) card, my point is that once you attain private banking status—regardless of how you got it—you should be eligible to apply for the card. If the bank later rejects the application for some other reason, that’s understandable. But not even allowing an application despite being a private banking customer is completely wrong.

I am currently in a dispute with ICICI Bank at multiple levels for various reasons.

Even though Times Black Credit Card does not officially list private banking as a feature on any website, the fact remains that everyone who held the card got private banking access for a full two months before being downgraded. That is unfair. ICICI Bank has no right to do this—it’s like playing with customers’ emotions.

 

[kvndsz512]

First of all, a ₹5 crore TRV (Total Relationship Value) is not required for private banking. A TRV of over ₹50 lakh is sufficient, and if you have a long-standing and strong relationship with the bank, you can be upgraded to private banking.

Before being upgraded to private banking, my account was first upgraded to wealth banking. However, when they downgraded my status, they moved me to privilege banking instead.

As for the ICICI Emeralde Private (EMP) card, my point is that once you attain private banking status—regardless of how you got it—you should be eligible to apply for the card. If the bank later rejects the application for some other reason, that’s understandable. But not even allowing an application despite being a private banking customer is completely wrong.

I am currently in a dispute with ICICI Bank at multiple levels for various reasons.

Even though Times Black Credit Card does not officially list private banking as a feature on any website, the fact remains that everyone who held the card got private banking access for a full two months before being downgraded. That is unfair. ICICI Bank has no right to do this—it’s like playing with customers’ emotions.

lol they realised their mistake and downgraded xD its not even justifiable 😂 by just paying 20k xD and getting the card which is very easy anyone can take and get private banking xD there wont be any diff between wealth management and private banking then 😂 bcuz there will be so many with private banking xD

rest they will say u dont have the required trv and shut the case most probably

 

[kvndsz512]

First of all, a ₹5 crore TRV (Total Relationship Value) is not required for private banking. A TRV of over ₹50 lakh is sufficient, and if you have a long-standing and strong relationship with the bank, you can be upgraded to private banking.

Before being upgraded to private banking, my account was first upgraded to wealth banking. However, when they downgraded my status, they moved me to privilege banking instead.

As for the ICICI Emeralde Private (EMP) card, my point is that once you attain private banking status—regardless of how you got it—you should be eligible to apply for the card. If the bank later rejects the application for some other reason, that’s understandable. But not even allowing an application despite being a private banking customer is completely wrong.

I am currently in a dispute with ICICI Bank at multiple levels for various reasons.

Even though Times Black Credit Card does not officially list private banking as a feature on any website, the fact remains that everyone who held the card got private banking access for a full two months before being downgraded. That is unfair. ICICI Bank has no right to do this—it’s like playing with customers’ emotions.

are u sure of the 50L thing? is it there anywhere? havent seen any pdf or image related to 50L trv only needed

bcuz i had come across one pdf or ss where the breakup is there even if they stopped wealth select u can consider that from wealth select criteria they are giving private banking still its way above 50L

 

[Dr.Anand456Dr.Anand456 is verified member.]

are u sure of the 50L thing? is it there anywhere? havent seen any pdf or image related to 50L trv only needed

bcuz i had come across one pdf or ss where the breakup is there even if they stopped wealth select u can consider that from wealth select criteria they are giving private banking still its way above 50L

Yes, this has been confirmed by multiple ICICI employees, but it depends on the services you use with ICICI Bank and how long your relationship with the bank has been.

For example, if you have had an account with ICICI Bank for over 10 years and have taken a loan (such as a home loan) and a car laon with an outstanding principal amount of more than ₹1 crore, that amount is considered in the Total Relationship Value (TRV). Additionally, some customers have had their accounts upgraded to Private Banking solely based on their current account relationship.

After speaking with multiple bank employees, it became clear that a TRV of ₹5 crore is not necessarily required. Instead, a TRV of more than ₹50 lakhs is generally sufficient. In fact, some customers have had their accounts upgraded to Private Banking even with a TRV of around ₹1 crore. However, even this is not a guaranteed criterion.