ICICI Bank has quietly introduced a new premium credit card called Emeralde, launched on 18 January 2019 for select customers. Following ICICI’s gemstone-themed naming, the Emeralde card is available in two variants: American Express and Mastercard, and is aimed at affluent cardholders seeking upscale travel and lifestyle perks.
ICICI Emeralde Credit Card – Key Benefits
Based on the details released so far, the Emeralde positions itself as a super-premium credit card designed for High Net Worth Individuals in India. ICICI has shared promotional videos that outline the card’s primary features and target audience.
The promotional material could be shorter and tighter, but the card’s benefits are compelling. Highlighted features include:
- Unlimited airport lounge access
- Unlimited spa access
- Trident dining voucher
- Da Milano voucher
- Boingo airport Wi‑Fi access
- Zero cancellation charges on travel and movie bookings
- Annual fee: ₹12,000
For an annual fee of ₹12,000 (roughly ₹1,000 per month), the Emeralde card offers strong value, especially for frequent travelers. The unlimited spa and lounge access alone can offset much of the fee for those who use these facilities regularly. Additional benefits such as Boingo Wi‑Fi and waived cancellation charges could be meaningful differentiators if they come with consumer-friendly terms.
Even without knowing the final rewards structure, the card already looks attractive for travelers and lifestyle-focused customers. Unlimited spa access is a rare benefit and adds significant appeal for high-end users.
Bottom Line
ICICI Bank’s credit card division has been active recently with several launches and product enhancements. The Emeralde card reinforces the bank’s push into the premium and super-premium segments, following other initiatives earlier this year. This card signals ICICI’s intent to cater to affluent customers rather than focusing solely on entry-level products.
It’s encouraging to see ICICI expanding offerings for premium clients. If the full terms and reward rates are aligned with the benefits already announced, Emeralde could change perceptions of ICICI’s premium card lineup from “made for beginners” to “made for all.”
Note: Full features and terms were not yet published at the time of this announcement. Stay tuned for a detailed review when the complete specifications are released.
Thanks to Siban for spotting the card.