ICICI Emeralde

[robijohn]

What is the difference between Emeralde and Emeralde metal card from ICICI?

I have an upgrade offer for Emeralde from my current Sapphiro. Wondering if its worth it

 

[anuragmukherjee28]

Whether upgrading from ICICI Sapphiro to Emeralde, especially its metal variant, is worthwhile depends on your spending habits and how you value the additional benefits. Here's a breakdown of the key differences:
Rewards:

• Sapphiro: Earns 2 reward points (RP) per Rs. 100 spent. 1 RP = Rs. 0.25 (statement credit or Paytm).
• Emeralde: Earns 4 RP per Rs. 100 spent. 1 RP = Rs. 0.25 (statement credit or Paytm).
• Emeralde Metal: Earns 6 RP per Rs. 200 spent. 1 RP = Rs. 0.4 (statement credit or Paytm).

Annual Fees:

• Sapphiro: Rs. 499 + taxes.
• Emeralde: Rs. 4,999 + taxes.
• Emeralde Metal: Rs. 12,499 + taxes.

Additional Benefits:

• Sapphiro: Airport lounge access (limited), dining discounts, movie offers, insurance cover.
• Emeralde: Unlimited domestic/international airport lounge access, complimentary golf rounds, higher dining discounts, priority booking at restaurants, complimentary Taj Epicure membership, complimentary EazyDiner Prime membership.
• Emeralde Metal: All Emeralde benefits + higher reward rate, BookMyShow discounts, complimentary international airport meet & greet service, access to private jets, higher insurance cover.

Here's a comparison table:

Feature	Sapphiro	Emeralde	Emeralde Metal
Rewards (Rs. per Rs. 100)	0.5	1	1.2
Annual Fee	Rs. 499	Rs. 4,999	Rs. 12,499
Airport Lounge Access	Limited	Unlimited Domestic/International	Unlimited Domestic/International
Dining Discounts	Lower	Higher	Higher
Additional Benefits	Limited	Taj Epicure, EazyDiner Prime	Higher discounts, BookMyShow, Meet & Greet, Private Jets

In conclusion:

• If you spend heavily and value travel and luxury benefits, Emeralde or Emeralde Metal could be worth the upgrade, especially for the higher rewards and exclusive perks.
• If your spending is moderate and you primarily use the card for basic benefits like lounge access and dining discounts, Sapphiro might suffice.
• Consider the annual fees carefully. The significant jump in fees for Emeralde and Emeralde Metal needs to be offset by your expected benefits usage to justify the cost.

I hope this comparison helps you make an informed decision about the upgrade offer!