ICICI Emeralde Credit Card
India's best card for international spenders — 2% on forex plus unlimited global lounge access.
By Ashutosh · Updated June 2026
ICICI Emeralde is built for one purpose: international spending. 2% on international transactions is among the best in India, and unlimited Priority Pass lounge access makes it a serious travel companion. The 24/7 concierge adds a layer of premium service that few Indian cards match.
Domestically, though, it's average at best. 1% on everything and ₹12,000 annual fee with a ₹15L spend waiver makes it hard to justify unless you travel internationally frequently. This is not an everyday spending card — it's a travel card you activate when crossing borders.
Frequent international travelers spending ₹2L+/year abroad. The 2% on forex + unlimited global lounge access makes every international trip more rewarding and comfortable.
You primarily spend domestically. 1% at a ₹12K fee is poor value. HDFC Regalia gives 1.33% with better lounge and SmartBuy perks for a lower fee.
4 pts/₹100 domestic (1%), 8 pts intl (2%), 2 pts utility (0.5%) · 1pt = ₹0.25
Domestic 1% at ₹0.25/point. International earns 8pts/₹100 = 2%. Frequent international travelers get significantly higher effective rates.
PROS
- Unlimited global lounge
- 2% on international
- Concierge service
CONS
- ₹12K + GST fee
- Only 1% domestic
- Fee waiver needs ₹15L spend
- International purchases: 2% on all international transactions — shopping, dining, and hotel payments abroad. Among the highest forex reward rates in India.
- Airport lounges worldwide: Unlimited Priority Pass visits with no caps. Use it at 1,300+ lounges globally, as often as you travel.
- International online subscriptions: Subscriptions billed in foreign currency (Netflix US, Spotify, SaaS tools) earn 2% instead of the domestic 1%.
1% on domestic purchases doesn't justify the ₹12K fee. HDFC Regalia gives 1.33% with better domestic perks at lower cost.
1% on Amazon/Flipkart is poor. HDFC Millennia gives 5% on the same platforms.
2% rewards doesn't mean zero forex. Forex markup is separate. IDFC FIRST WOW has actual zero forex markup.
Emeralde for international travel and global lounges, Millennia for domestic online spending (5%). International card + domestic card combo.
View HDFC Millennia →Emeralde for international, ACE for domestic everything — utilities (5%), offline (1.5%), food delivery (4%).
View Axis ACE →Does the 2% apply on top of forex markup?
The 2% reward is separate from forex markup. You'll still pay the bank's forex markup (typically 1.5-3.5%) but earn 2% back in rewards. Net cost depends on the markup charged.
Is Emeralde invite-only?
Not strictly invite-only like HDFC Infinia, but ICICI may require a minimum relationship value or salary. Apply through ICICI with a strong income profile.
Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia for international?
Emeralde gives 2% on international vs Infinia's 3.33% (travel redemption). But Infinia is invite-only. If you have both options, Infinia wins. If you can't get Infinia, Emeralde is the best accessible option.