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ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card Launched

ICICI Bank has launched the Emerald Private Metal Credit Card, which offers all the benefits of the ICICI Emerald Credit Card along with a few additional benefits.

Welcome Benefits:
  1. Taj Epicure membership for the first year. [You'll get one stay voucher with this]
  2. Receive 12,500 bonus reward points after annual fee payment each year.
  3. EazyDiner Prime membership (renewed annually).
Main Benefits:
  1. Unlimited golf games/lessons for the primary cardholder.
  2. Unlimited domestic airport lounge access using the Emerald Private Metal Credit Card for both the primary and add-on cardholders.
  3. Unlimited international airport lounge access using Priority Pass for both the primary and add-on cardholders.
  4. Buy one, get one free movie/event ticket from BookMyShow twice per month. Maximum Discount: Rs. 750 per ticket.
  5. Up to Rs. 12,000 refund for a maximum of 2 transactions per year on tickets booked exclusively with the Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card.
  6. Discounted markup fees: 2%.
  7. 1% fuel surcharge waiver for all transactions up to Rs. 4000. Maximum surcharges waiver - Rs. 1000 per statement cycle.
  8. No Extra Charges/Penalty For: Cash Withdrawal, Over limit, Late payment.
  9. You can get 3 complimentary add-on cards
Reward System:
Earn 6 reward points for every Rs. 200 spent.
No reward points on Tax Payment, Rent payments, EMI and Fuel purchases.

Reward Points Value:
Flight/Hotel Booking: 1 reward point = Rs. 1
Gift Vouchers*: 1 reward point = Rs. 1
Rewards Catalogue [other products]: 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60
Statement Credit: 1 reward point = Rs. 0.40

*Brands' Gift Vouchers available under the 1:1 redemption ratio include:
  • Travel Category: MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, Hyaat, Marriott International, ITC Hotels, Taj Hotels.

    View attachment 36109
  • Electronics: Apple
  • Luxury Brands: Tanishq, Mothercare [Luxe], G-Star Raw [Luxe], Giorgio Armani [Luxe], Emporio Armani [Luxe], Canali [Luxe], Coach [Luxe], Tumi [Luxe], Scotch & Soda [Luxe], Jimmy Choo [Luxe]
There are lots of other brand vouchers available, but for those, you'll get a value of 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60. I think you have a decent option available under the 1:1 redemption category. ITC, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, and other travel-related vouchers are worth considering. So, in terms of redemption options, I must say this is a decent card. And I think this is better than HDFC SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption system. The main downside of SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption is that you can't use 100% reward points. However, in the case of ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card, you can just get an MMT voucher or any other travel voucher and book your flights or hotels.

Reward Rate:
Flight/Hotel Booking: 3%
Gift Vouchers: 3%
Rewards Catalogue: 1.8%
Statement Credit: 1.2%

Reward Redemption:
You can redeem your ICICI Bank Reward Points across Catalogues, from movie and travel vouchers to lifestyle products, mobiles, appliances, statement credit and more.
Redemption of Reward Points against statement balance (cashback redemption) is capped at 50,000 Reward Points per Statement cycle.

Reward Capping:
  • Reward Points earned on Insurance transaction will be capped at 5,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 1,66,800]
  • Reward Points earned on grocery transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]
  • Reward Points earned on Utilities transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]
  • Reward Points earned on Education transaction will be capped at 1,000 Reward Points per statement cycle. [Spends required to reach maximum reward- Rs. 33,400]

Milestone Benefits:
Spend Rs. 8 lakhs per year and receive 2 air travel vouchers worth Rs. 3000 each (total Rs. 6000) from EaseMyTrip. Reward Rate: 0.75%.
Spends 4 Lakhs and get first EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 3000/-​
Spends 8 Lakhs and get your second EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 3000/-​

Charges:
Joining Fee: Rs. 12,499 + GST.
Annual Fee: Rs. 12,499 + GST.
Annual Fee Reversal Criteria: Spend Rs. 10 lakhs in the next card membership year to have your annual fee reversed.

Card Replacement Fees: Rs. 3500/-

Opinion:
The ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card is the flagship credit card of ICICI Bank. When considering the reward rate, I must say this card offers decent value back on spending. The main drawback is that ICICI Bank does not offer a reward points transfer feature like HDFC Bank or Axis Bank.
Typically, credit cards of this nature provide the option to transfer points. However, in this case, we can only redeem our reward points for brand gift vouchers. I hope ICICI Bank will address this issue and introduce some transfer partners soon. You'll receive 12,500 reward points worth Rs. 12,500 on joining, so mathematically you'll only need to pay the GST (Approx. Rs. 2250/-) each year, similar to the SC Ultimate credit card. Additionally, you'll receive Taj Epicure membership for the first year with this card, allowing you to enjoy a complimentary stay at a Taj hotel. This benefit can help offset your card's joining fees effectively.
Overall, this is a good credit card, unlike other gemstone cards, as it offers a better reward rate. If you are seeking a premium credit card but don't plan to redeem your reward points for airline miles and instead prefer gift vouchers, then this credit card is for you.
 
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Plastic variant:
• 12k fees
• Dreamfolks tie-up
• Visa Infinite platform

Metal Variant:
• 12.5k fees
• Priority Pass tie-up
• Mastercard World platform
every page has the same question. Why don't people go back a few pages and read 😕

AFAIK, only few are getting upgrade to Private Metal and rest all are getting only Plastic
 
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Credit Card Reward Points Redemption Options:

ICICI Bank does not offer a flight or hotel booking service directly using their reward points, but you can redeem your reward points for travel-related brand vouchers. You can then use these vouchers to book flights or hotels, and the redemption rate you will get is 1 reward point = Rs. 1.

Brands' Gift Vouchers available under the 1:1 redemption ratio include:
  • Travel Category: MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, Hyaat, Marriott International, ITC Hotels, Taj Hotels.
    Screenshot 2023-11-29 at 9.01.14 PM.png
  • Electronics: Apple
  • Luxury Brands: Tanishq, Mothercare [Luxe], G-Star Raw [Luxe], Giorgio Armani [Luxe], Emporio Armani [Luxe], Canali [Luxe], Coach [Luxe], Tumi [Luxe], Scotch & Soda [Luxe], Jimmy Choo [Luxe]
There are lots of other brand vouchers available, but for those, you'll get a value of 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60. I think you have a decent option available under the 1:1 redemption category. ITC, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, and other travel-related vouchers are worth considering. So, in terms of redemption options, I must say this is a decent card. And I think this is better than HDFC SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption system. The main downside of SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption is that you can't use 100% reward points. However, in the case of ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card, you can just get an MMT voucher or any other travel voucher and book your flights or hotels.
 
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Credit Card Reward Points Redemption Options:

ICICI Bank does not offer a flight or hotel booking service directly using their reward points, but you can redeem your reward points for travel-related brand vouchers. You can then use these vouchers to book flights or hotels, and the redemption rate you will get is 1 reward point = Rs. 1.

Brands' Gift Vouchers available under the 1:1 redemption ratio include:
  • Travel Category: MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, Hyaat, Marriott International, ITC Hotels, Taj Hotels.
    View attachment 36109
  • Electronics: Apple
  • Luxury Brands: Tanishq, Mothercare [Luxe], G-Star Raw [Luxe], Giorgio Armani [Luxe], Emporio Armani [Luxe], Canali [Luxe], Coach [Luxe], Tumi [Luxe], Scotch & Soda [Luxe], Jimmy Choo [Luxe]
There are lots of other brand vouchers available, but for those, you'll get a value of 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60. I think you have a decent option available under the 1:1 redemption category. ITC, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, and other travel-related vouchers are worth considering. So, in terms of redemption options, I must say this is a decent card. And I think this is better than HDFC SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption system. The main downside of SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption is that you can't use 100% reward points. However, in the case of ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card, you can just get an MMT voucher or any other travel voucher and book your flights or hotels.
What denominations are available for Yatra and M&M as that would limit the redemption options
 
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Credit Card Reward Points Redemption Options:

ICICI Bank does not offer a flight or hotel booking service directly using their reward points, but you can redeem your reward points for travel-related brand vouchers. You can then use these vouchers to book flights or hotels, and the redemption rate you will get is 1 reward point = Rs. 1.

Brands' Gift Vouchers available under the 1:1 redemption ratio include:
  • Travel Category: MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip, Hyaat, Marriott International, ITC Hotels, Taj Hotels.
  • Electronics: Apple
  • Luxury Brands: Tanishq, Mothercare [Luxe], G-Star Raw [Luxe], Giorgio Armani [Luxe], Emporio Armani [Luxe], Canali [Luxe], Coach [Luxe], Tumi [Luxe], Scotch & Soda [Luxe], Jimmy Choo [Luxe]
There are lots of other brand vouchers available, but for those, you'll get a value of 1 reward point = Rs. 0.60. I think you have a decent option available under the 1:1 redemption category. ITC, Hyatt, Marriott, Taj, and other travel-related vouchers are worth considering. So, in terms of redemption options, I must say this is a decent card. And I think this is better than HDFC SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption system. The main downside of SmartBuy portal flight or hotel booking redemption is that you can't use 100% reward points. However, in the case of ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Card, you can just get an MMT voucher or any other travel voucher and book your flights or hotels.

This is good info. Your fees will fully recover through the 1:1 partners. However, even though SmartBuy has its limitations, biggest positive is accelerated reward points. Emertalde metal will ALWAYS get you max 3% returns on any spend.

With this 1:1 redemption for fees, this card is a keeper for non spend benefits 😍
 
What denominations are available for Yatra and M&M as that would limit the redemption options
As MMT only allows max 3 voucher for redemption that limits to 30k I guess as denomination higher than 10k are hard to get for MMT
Same issue with Yatra . Taj , ITC and others are already available at better rates outside so technically that won't get you exact 1:1
HDFC allows 70% redemption even for big ticket sizes.
 
Taj, ITC etc can be easily purchased via gyftr smartbuy at 5% + 10 - 16% DCB/Infinia discount. Same goes for MMT voucher as with voucher you will not be able to apply any card discounts. So I will peg the value of ICICI rewards at 0.85 - 0.9 only. It just appears as 1:1 redemption
 
This is good info. Your fees will fully recover through the 1:1 partners. However, even though SmartBuy has its limitations, biggest positive is accelerated reward points. Emertalde metal will ALWAYS get you max 3% returns on any spend.

With this 1:1 redemption for fees, this card is a keeper for non spend benefits 😍
At last, it got your clearance!! ICICI well done.. 😉
 
Taj, ITC etc can be easily purchased via gyftr smartbuy at 5% + 10 - 16% DCB/Infinia discount. Same goes for MMT voucher as with voucher you will not be able to apply any card discounts. So I will peg the value of ICICI rewards at 0.85 - 0.9 only. It just appears as 1:1 redemption
Yeah I would consider around 0.8% around as other card discount won't work on voucher
 
I guess if and only if Icici makes Apay available at 1:1 or introduce points transfer at 1:1 , it would be worthwhile to opt for it As paid , for non spend based benefits PVC Emeralde still got an USP of unlimited spa through DF which is missing in all other HNI cards.
Emeralde private would be good case to get it for first year with Taj Epicure and stay plus along with 12.5k redeemable against Taj voucher which can get you around 1 day extra at Taj with some 3-4k extra.
 
However, even though SmartBuy has its limitations, biggest positive is accelerated reward points. 😍
Not a fact for all cases.

I tried a mumbai hotel booking for 5 nights.

Deluxe room + breakfast
Direct mmt app
5696 inc tax/n x 5 nights
= 28480.

Mmt cash using mmt card / Rs = 427
(After completing my stay).
I am mmt black exclusive member.

= Rs. 28053 (using mmt app + mmt card).

If i use smart buy, same hotel, same category, its showing as
6094 inc tax/n x 5 nights
= 30470.

Using hdfc rf card (4rp/150) +
10x accelerated rewards
= 812 x 10x = 8120 rp. 1 rp = 0.30
= 2436 back (after how many days ?)

= 28034 (using rf + 10x smartbuy).

So i am saving Rs. 19 only. Which I will not get right away. And if i do booking directly with mmt, i get a free room upgrade, cause of my mmt membership as extra perk.

I did the same for flight using mmt. I was making around 3k more with mmt direct than thru smartbuy. Hotel and flight 10x rewards is not worth doing thru smartbuy in my view.

So I dont see anything positive about the accelerated reward system.

Regalia gold is 4rp / 150 as well. Dcp, dcb, infinia, I not looked, maybe worth it ? Can anyone do the calculation if they have these cards ?

As technofino said earlier:
With emeralde plastic + metal @ 0.60 per rp, you get 2x value already. Even hdfc 10x accelerated rewards cannot beat that, yet.

Better yet, once you got enuff rp, get mmt vouchers with your rewards @ 1:1, you are getting more value for your hotel and flight booking only at mmt. There are a lot of other offers @ 1:1 with icici.
 
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Taj, ITC etc can be easily purchased via gyftr smartbuy at 5% + 10 - 16% DCB/Infinia discount. Same goes for MMT voucher as with voucher you will not be able to apply any card discounts. So I will peg the value of ICICI rewards at 0.85 - 0.9 only. It just appears as 1:1 redemption
was just going to mention this
value of thi vouchers are way less than what it actually is
 
for
Not a fact for all cases.

I tried a mumbai hotel booking for 5 nights.

Deluxe room + breakfast
Direct mmt app
5696 inc tax/n x 5 nights
= 28480.

Mmt cash using mmt card / Rs = 427
(After completing my stay).
I am mmt black exclusive member.

= Rs. 28053 (using mmt app + mmt card).

If i use smart buy, same hotel, same category, its showing as
6094 inc tax/n x 5 nights
= 30470.

Using hdfc rf card (4rp/150) +
10x accelerated rewards
= 812 x 10x = 8120 rp. 1 rp = 0.30
= 2436 back (after how many days ?)

= 28034 (using rf + 10x smartbuy).

So i am saving Rs. 19 only. Which I will not get right away. And if i do booking directly with mmt, i get a free room upgrade, cause of my mmt membership as extra perk.

I did the same for flight using mmt. I was making around 3k more with mmt direct than thru smartbuy. Hotel and flight 10x rewards is not worth doing thru smartbuy in my view.

So I dont see anything positive about the accelerated reward system.

Regalia gold is 4rp / 150 as well. Dcp, dcb, infinia, I not looked, maybe worth it ? Can anyone do the calculation if they have these cards ?

As technofino said earlier:
With emeralde plastic + metal @ 0.60 per rp, you get 2x value already. Even hdfc 10x accelerated rewards cannot beat that, yet.

Better yet, once you got enuff rp, get mmt vouchers with your rewards @ 1:1, you are getting more value for your hotel and flight booking only at mmt. There are a lot of other offers @ 1:1 with icici.
infinia and dcb smartbuy rewards have more value
 
was just going to mention this
value of thi vouchers are way less than what it actually is
A true 1:1 is only possible via Apay
And only few banks allow Apay conversion at 1:1 .
Apay is kind of real money

This vouchers are sold anyway between 5-20% discount on multiple platforms
I was selling few myself at huge discount during the magnus ERA 😀
 

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