Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is a travel credit card made for people who fly often with Emirates Airlines. It has a joining and yearly fee of ₹10,000. When you get the card, you receive 10,000 Skywards Miles and a free Silver Tier membership for the first year. If you spend ₹15 lakh in a year, you can upgrade to Gold Tier, which gives even more benefits. You also earn up to 2.5 Skywards Miles for every ₹100 you spend, which you can use to book flights or upgrade your seat with Emirates.
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card also gives many other benefits besides travel. You get unlimited access to airport lounges in India and other countries. You also get 1 free movie ticket when you buy 1 on BookMyShow and discounts at select restaurants. These offers make the card useful for daily life too. But one thing to note is that it has a 3.5% fee on spending in foreign currency, which might not be good if you travel abroad a lot. Overall, it’s a good card for people who fly with Emirates and want extra perks.
Rewards and Benefits
Fees & Charges
What should you consider before applying for a credit card in India?
Key Considerations Before Applying for a Credit Card in India:
- Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements, which typically include age, income, credit score, and employment status as defined by the issuing bank or financial institution.
- Credit Score: A strong credit score can significantly improve your chances of approval and result in more favorable terms, such as lower interest rates or higher credit limits. Verify that your credit score is healthy before applying.
- Interest Rates and Fees: Compare the annual percentage rates (APR), processing fees, late payment penalties, and foreign transaction charges associated with various cards. These costs can vary widely and impact the overall value of the card.
- Rewards and Benefits: Evaluate the rewards, cashback, discounts, or other perks offered by the card to ensure they align with your spending patterns. Some cards may provide better benefits in specific categories, such as travel, shopping, or dining.
- Credit Limit: Review the credit limit offered by the card to ensure it meets your financial needs. Avoid applying for cards with excessive limits if you are concerned about managing debt, as this can lead to higher interest charges.
- Repayment Terms: Understand the repayment structure, including the minimum payment amount, payment due dates, and any associated penalties. Being clear about these terms can help you manage payments effectively and avoid interest buildup.
- Card Type and Features: Choose a card type that matches your specific needs—whether standard, premium, or specialized cards like those offering travel rewards or dining privileges. Ensure the features of the card align with your lifestyle and spending habits.
- Bank’s Reputation: Opt for a financial institution with a proven reputation for customer service and transparency. Consider researching customer reviews and assessing their support channels to ensure reliable service.
- Hidden Charges: Be aware of any hidden fees, including annual fees, balance transfer charges, foreign transaction fees, or cash withdrawal charges. These can add up over time and affect the overall cost-effectiveness of the card.
- Credit Utilization: Maintain a balance within your credit limit to avoid high credit utilization ratios, which can negatively impact your credit score. Responsible use of credit is essential for maintaining financial health.
- Long-Term Financial Plans: Consider how the credit card fits into your overall financial strategy. Avoid accumulating unnecessary debt and choose a card that supports your long-term financial goals without adding financial strain.
Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde Credit Card – Features and Benefits
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde Credit Card is a premium travel credit card made for people who travel frequently, especially with Emirates. It is offered by ICICI Bank in partnership with Emirates. This card is mainly designed for high-income individuals who want travel rewards, airport lounge access and airline membership benefits.
If you often fly internationally and prefer Emirates flights, this card can give you good value through reward miles and travel perks.
Welcome Benefits
When you get this card, you receive 10,000 Skywards Miles as a welcome bonus in the first year. From the second year onwards, you also receive 10,000 Skywards Miles every year as a renewal benefit after paying the annual fee.
You also get complimentary Emirates Skywards Silver Tier membership. This membership stays active as long as your credit card is active. Silver Tier gives you benefits like priority check-in and extra baggage allowance on Emirates flights.
Please note that these welcome benefits are given only after you pay the joining fee.
How You Earn Skywards Miles
With this card, you earn 2 Skywards Miles for every ₹100 spent on retail purchases. This means the more you spend, the more airline miles you collect.
However, you do not earn Miles on some types of payments. These usually include:
- Fuel payments
- Insurance payments
- Utility bill payments
- EMI transactions
- Cash withdrawals
- Balance transfers
All the Miles you earn are automatically added to your Emirates Skywards account. You do not need to convert them manually.
How You can Use the Miles
The Skywards Miles can be used for:
- Booking Emirates flight tickets
- Upgrading your flight
- Booking hotels
- Other travel-related rewards available under the Emirates Skywards programme
Since the Miles are directly credited to your Emirates account, using them is simple and convenient.
Milestone Benefit – Gold Tier Upgrade
This card also gives you a special benefit if you spend a high amount in a year. If your total annual spending reaches ₹15 lakhs, you become eligible for Emirates Skywards Gold Tier membership.
Out of these ₹15 lakhs, at least ₹50,000 must be spent on Emirates tickets or services.
Gold Tier membership gives you extra travel benefits like priority boarding and higher baggage allowance. This is very useful for people who travel frequently with Emirates.
Airport Lounge Access
Airport lounge access is one of the biggest benefits of this card.
You get:
- Unlimited access to domestic airport lounges every quarter
- Unlimited international lounge access through Priority Pass membership
This means you can relax in airport lounges before your flight without paying extra. This is especially helpful during long international trips.
Movie and Dining Benefits
The card also offers some lifestyle benefits.
You get a Buy One Get One Free offer on movie tickets booked through BookMyShow. The free ticket is capped at ₹750.
You also get dining offers through ICICI Bank’s Culinary Treats Programme. These offers are available at selected restaurants in India.
These benefits are useful for people who enjoy movies and dining out.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
You get a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 in India. This helps you save a small amount on fuel payments.
Fees and Charges
- The joining fee of this card is ₹10,000. The annual fee is also ₹10,000.
- The interest rate on unpaid outstanding balance is 3.75 percent per month, which is 45 percent per year. So it is important to pay your credit card bill on time.
- For international transactions, the foreign currency markup fee is 3.5 percent.
- If you withdraw cash using this card, the cash advance charge is 2.5 percent of the withdrawn amount, with a minimum charge of ₹500.
Eligibility Criteria
- The main cardholder should be at least 21 years old.
- Supplementary cardholders must be above 18 years
- You should have a stable and high income
- You should have a good credit score
Since this is a premium card, it is mainly given to high-net-worth individuals.
Documents Required
- Identity proof such as PAN Card or Aadhaar Card
- Address proof such as utility bill, Passport or Driving License
- Income proof such as salary slips, bank statements or latest Income Tax Return
How to Apply
You can apply online by visiting the official website of ICICI Bank and going to the Emirates co-branded credit card section. Fill in your details and submit the required documents.
You can also visit the nearest ICICI Bank branch and apply offline.
Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde Credit Card Review
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Emeralde Credit Card is a good option for people who frequently travel with Emirates and spend a high amount every year. It offers Skywards Miles, Silver Tier membership, a chance to upgrade to Gold Tier and unlimited lounge access.
However, the annual fee is high. So this card is best suited for people who travel internationally often and can fully use the airline and lounge benefits. If you are a frequent Emirates flyer with a high income, this card can provide strong travel benefits and premium experience.
What kind of lounge access do I get with this credit card?
You get unlimited free access to both domestic and international airport lounges, plus spa services at select Indian airports through Dreamfolks.
Are there any movie ticket offers with this card?
Yes, you can enjoy a Buy 1 Get 1 Free offer on BookMyShow, with a maximum discount of ₹750 on the second ticket. This can be used up to 4 times a month.
Can I earn bonus Skywards Miles with this card?
Yes, you get 10,000 Skywards Miles when you pay the joining fee and another 10,000 Miles every year on renewal.
Does this card waive the annual fee if I spend a certain amount?
No, the card doesn’t offer any spending-based waiver. You need to pay the ₹10,000 annual fee every year to keep the card active.
Is this card a good option for people who travel a lot?
If you often fly with Emirates, this card can save you money through rewards, upgrades, and travel-related perks.
How much do I earn on utility and insurance payments?
You earn 1 Skywards Mile for every ₹100 spent on utility and insurance bills using this card.
What is the annual fee for the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
The card has an annual fee of ₹10,000 plus taxes, and there's no option to get this fee waived.
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