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.
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.
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal caters to frequent travelers with its unique reward structure and lifestyle benefits.
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.
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 Vouchers via SmartBuy: 1 RP = ₹1
- Airmiles Conversion: 1 RP = 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: ₹12,500 + GST.
- Invitation-Only Eligibility: Difficult to obtain.
- Capped Accelerated Rewards: Max 15,000 bonus RP/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 & brand 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).
- Complimentary Airport Spa Access via Dreamfolks membership.
- 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% + GST.
- 24x7 i-Assist Concierge Services.
- No Late Payment Fees or Over-Limit Charges.
Drawbacks:
- High Annual Fee: ₹12,499 + GST.
- Lower Base Reward Rate: Compared to HDFC Infinia.
Category-wise Comparison
| Feature | HDFC Infinia Credit Card | ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 + GST | ₹12,499 + GST |
| Reward Points | 5 RP per ₹150 spent (except fuel) | 6 RP per ₹200 spent (all spends) |
| Accelerated Rewards | 10X on flights and 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 | Standard reward points |
| Lounge Access | Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access | Unlimited domestic and international airport lounge access |
| Travel Benefits | Club Marriott membership | Complimentary domestic airport spa access; Travel Cancellation Cover |
| Foreign Currency Markup Fee | 2% + GST | 2% + GST |
| Fuel Benefits | 1% surcharge waiver on fuel spends between ₹400 & ₹1,00,000 (Max: ₹1,000/month) | 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 | - | 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, airport spa access, 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.
