Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is the most basic and budget-friendly travel card launched by ICICI Bank in partnership with Emirates Airlines. It comes with a low joining and annual fee of Rs. 1,000, making it a good option for people who often travel with Emirates. With this card, you can earn up to 1.5 Skywards Miles for every Rs. 100 you spend, which can be used to book flights or get seat upgrades on the Emirates website. If you spend Rs. 75,000 in a quarter, you also get one free domestic airport lounge access. Plus, you receive a complimentary Blue Tier membership with Emirates when you get or renew the card.
Apart from travel rewards, the Rubyx card also offers extra benefits. You can save up to 25% on movie tickets through BookMyShow and INOX, and enjoy discounts at partner restaurants through ICICI’s Culinary Treats program. It also gives reward points on utility and insurance payments, which many cards don’t. However, it doesn’t offer access to lounges in other countries. If you travel abroad often, you might want to choose the Sapphiro or Emeralde version instead. But overall, the Rubyx card is a smart pick for regular Emirates flyers looking for simple travel perks at a low cost.
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 Bank Rubyx Credit Card – Key Features and Benefits
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is the basic airline credit card offered by ICICI Bank in partnership with Emirates. It is mainly designed for people who travel with Emirates and want to earn Skywards Miles on their regular spending without paying a high annual fee.
Earn Skywards Miles on Spending
This is the main benefit of the card. You earn 1 Skywards Mile for every ₹100 spent on retail purchases. The miles you earn are automatically added to your Emirates Skywards account linked with your registered mobile number.
You can use these miles to book Emirates flights, upgrade your tickets, or redeem them for other travel-related rewards.
However, you do not earn miles on fuel payments, utility bills, insurance, government payments, education fees, EMI transactions, balance transfers, and cash withdrawals.
Free Domestic Lounge Access
You get 1 free domestic airport lounge visit every quarter. To use this benefit, you must spend ₹75,000 or more in the previous quarter.
This benefit is useful if you travel within India and want a more comfortable airport experience. The card does not include access to airport lounges outside the country.
Low Annual Fee
The joining and annual fee of this card is ₹1,000 plus taxes. Compared to premium travel credit cards, this fee is quite affordable. Because of its lower fee, this card is suitable for people who want airline benefits at a reasonable cost.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver
You get a 1 percent fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions up to ₹4,000 at authorized fuel stations in India. This helps you save a small amount on fuel expenses.
Movie Ticket Discount
You can get a 25 percent discount, up to ₹100, on booking at least two movie tickets through BookMyShow. This offer can be used two times every month. This is helpful for people who regularly book movie tickets online.
Dining Discounts
Under ICICI Bank’s Culinary Treats Programme, you can get at least 15 percent discount at selected restaurants across India. If you enjoy dining out, this benefit can help you save money.
Fees and Charges
Before applying, it is important to understand the main charges:
- Annual fee: ₹1,000 plus taxes
- Interest rate: 3.75 percent per month (45 percent per year)
- Foreign currency markup fee: 3.5 percent of the transaction amount
- Cash advance fee: 2.5 percent of the amount withdrawn, minimum ₹500
The foreign currency markup fee is charged when you use the card for international transactions. The interest rate applies if you do not pay your total outstanding amount on time.
Eligibility Criteria
To apply for this card:
- The primary cardholder must be at least 21 years old
- The add-on cardholder should be 18 years old or above.
- You must have a stable income, either salaried or self-employed
- A good credit score is generally required
Documents Required
You will need:
- Identity proof like Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, or Voter ID card.
- Address proof such as Aadhaar Card, Passport, utility bills, or Driving License
- Income proof such as salary slips, bank statements, or latest Income Tax Return
Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card Review
The Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is a good option for people who frequently travel with Emirates and want to earn airline miles at a low annual fee. It offers domestic lounge access, movie and dining discounts, and fuel surcharge waiver.
If you want more premium travel benefits like international lounge access, you may consider the higher variants such as the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card or the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card.
Overall, this card is suitable for regular Emirates travelers who want simple travel rewards without paying a high yearly fee.
Are there any welcome gifts or benefits when I get the Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card?
No, this card doesn’t offer any welcome benefits when you join.
Does this card offer international lounge access?
You get just 1 free domestic lounge visit every quarter, but only if you spent ₹75,000 in the previous quarter.
How much interest will I be charged for using this card?
You are charged 3.4% interest every month, which means the total interest for the whole year comes to 40.8%.
Is this card a good choice for Emirates flyers?
Yes, it’s designed for people who often fly with Emirates. You can earn Skywards Miles on your spends, which can be used for flights and upgrades.
How can I apply for this card?
You can either apply on the ICICI Bank website or go to the nearest ICICI branch with your documents.
Do I earn rewards on fuel spending?
No, you don’t earn Miles on fuel, but you get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver (up to ₹250 per month) on spends between ₹400 and ₹4,000.
Can I get the annual fee waived?
The ₹1,000 annual fee must be paid and cannot be avoided or removed. But after you pay it, your complimentary Emirates Blue Tier membership is renewed.
Are there any discounts on movies?
Every month, you can get 25% off (up to ₹100) on two movie tickets when you book them on BookMyShow or Inox.
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