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ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs HDFC Infinia: Which Premium Credit Card Is Best?
Introduction
In the premium credit card market, two major players stand out: the HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Credit Card and the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card. Both cards are tailored for the ultra-premium segment, offering a host of exclusive benefits, impressive reward structures, and luxury perks. With the rise of new offerings like the iShop portal by ICICI, and the existing SmartBuy by HDFC, the competition between these two elite cards has intensified. So, which one should be your top choice? Whether it’s the established HDFC Infinia or the rising ICICI Emeralde Private, this detailed comparison will help you understand the value each card brings, allowing you to make an informed decision on which card deserves a place in your wallet.
HDFC Infinia vs ICICI Emeralde Private Metal: Eligibility Criteria
Both cards are available by invitation only and require either a high income or an established banking relationship.
The key distinction between them lies in the upgrade process. The HDFC Infinia card can be acquired through an upgrade based on your current credit limit and spending patterns. However, the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal credit card does not offer an upgrade option at present (as on April 2025).
ICICI Emeralde Private vs HDFC Infinia: Joining and Annual Fees
Both cards come with comparable annual fees, which can be waived depending on your spending.
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | HDFC Infinia Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Joining Fees | ₹12,499 + GST | ₹12,500 + GST |
| Annual Fees | ₹12,499 + GST | ₹12,500 + GST |
| Annual Fees Reversal | Spends ₹10 lakhs or above for waiver of annual membership fees | Spends ₹10 lakhs or above for waiver of annual membership fees |
| Complimentary Add-on Card | Enjoy up to 3 add-on cards for free | Free, but no. of cards not specified |
HDFC Infinia vs ICICI Emeralde Private: Welcome Benefits
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Infinia |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome Benefits | Complimentary 1 year Taj Epicure Membership with exclusive benefits like complimentary night stay, discounts, perks and much more. On top of this, get a complimentary 12-month EazyDiner Prime Membership. |
Complimentary Club Marriott membership for a year that offers up to 20% discounts for Dining and Stay across Asia Pacific region. |
| Joining and Annual Bonus (if fees is charged) | Get 12,500 ICICI Reward Points. | Receive a welcome benefit of 12,500 reward points upon fee payment. |
HDFC Infinia vs ICICI Emeralde Private: Rewards Points
The HDFC Infinia Metal offers a slightly higher reward rate on regular retail spends compared to the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal. However, when it comes to spending on flights, hotels, or partner categories, ICICI outperforms HDFC. Additionally, there are some differences in category capping between the two cards.
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Infinia |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Retail Spends | Earn 6 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent (3% reward rate) | Earn 5 Reward Points per ₹150 spent (3.3% reward rate) |
| Flights via SmartBuy/iShop | 6X Points (18% return) | 5X Points (16.5% return) |
| Hotels via SmartBuy/iShop | 12X Points (36% return) | 10X Points (33% return) |
| Shopping Voucher via SmartBuy/iShop | 6X Points (18% return) | 5X Points (16.5% return) |
| Category Capping | iShop - 18,000 RPs per month Grocery - 1,000 RPs per month Utilities - 1,000 RPs per month Education - 1,000 RPs per month Telecom - N/A Insurance - 5,000 RPs per month |
Smartbuy - 15,000 RPs per month Grocery - Maximum 2,000 RPs per month Utilities - 2000 RPs per month Telecom - 2000 RPs per month Insurance - 5,000 RPs per day |
| Milestone Benefit | Get ₹6,000 in EaseMyTrip vouchers (₹3,000 each) with annual spends of ₹8 lakh. Receive the 1st voucher on ₹4 lakh spend and the 2nd on ₹8 lakh spend in an anniversary year (extra 1% reward rate) | N/A |
| Exclusions | No RP on government services, fuel, rent and tax payments. | No RP on education payments made through third-party apps, rent, property services, fuel, government, EasyEMI and e-wallet. |
| Reward Points Validity | N/A | 3 years from the date of accrual |
| Overall Maximum RPs Capping | N/A | Maximum RPs that can be earned in a statement cycle is 2 lakhs. |
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs HDFC Infinia Metal: Reward Points Redemption
Here’s a comparison of redemption options for the HDFC Infinia and ICICI Emeralde Private cards
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Infinia |
|---|---|---|
| Flights Redemption | 1RP = ₹1 (100% can be paid with reward points) | 1RP = ₹1 (70% can be paid with reward points, and the balance via credit card) |
| Hotel Redemption | 1RP = ₹1 (90% can be paid with reward points, and the balance via credit card) | 1RP = ₹1 (70% can be paid with reward points, and the balance via credit card) |
| Apple and Tanishq Voucher | 1RP = ₹1 | 1RP = ₹1 (For Apple, the cap is one product per calendar quarter, while for Tanishq, the cap is set at 50,000 RP per quarter) On top of this, 70% can be paid with reward points, and the balance via credit card. |
| Tumi, Coach, Brooks Brothers, Emporio Armani, Jimmy Choo, G-Star Raw, Canali and Mother Care Vouchers | 1RP = ₹1 | N/A |
| Airline and Hotel Transfer Partner | N/A | Multiple partners (typically 1:1 or 1:2 ratio) |
| Rewards Catalogue - Other products | 1RP = ₹0.6 (50% can be paid with reward points, and the balance via credit card) | 1RP = ₹0.2-0.5 |
| Statement Credit or Cashback Redemption | 1RP = ₹0.4 (capped at 50,000 RPs per calendar month) | 1RP = ₹0.3 (capped at 50,000 RPs per calendar month) |
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs HDFC Infinia Metal: Travel Benefits
Both cards offer comparable travel benefits such as unlimited golf access, lounge access, and similar fees for fuel waivers and forex transactions. However, the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card stands out with an additional perk of zero cancellation charges on Air Travel, Hotel, and Movie bookings.
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Infinia |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic Lounge Access | Unlimited (including add-on cardholders) | Unlimited (including add-on cardholders) |
| International Lounge Access | Unlimited worldwide via Priority Pass (including add-on cardholders) | Unlimited worldwide via Priority Pass (including add-on cardholders) |
| Golf Access | Unlimited golf games and rounds across the world, but only available for primary cardholders. | Unlimited golf games across the world, but unlimited golf coaching at select golf courses across India |
| No cancellation charges | Zero charges on Air Travel, Hotel and Movie Bookings cancellation, the maximum limit per transaction per card per year is ₹12,000 | N/A |
| Fuel Waiver | 1% waiver on all transactions, with a maximum capping of ₹1,000 per month. GST will not be waived and it will be applicable. | 1% waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹1,00,000 (max waiver ₹1,000 per cycle) with applicable GST. |
| Forex Charge | 2% of transaction value + GST (overall 2.36%) | 2% of transaction value + GST (overall 2.36%) |
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs HDFC Infinia Metal: Lifestyle Benefits
Both the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal and HDFC Infinia Metal credit cards offer unique and valuable lifestyle benefits. While they offer the same concierge services.
| Parameters | ICICI Emeralde Private | HDFC Infinia |
|---|---|---|
| BookMyShow | Get up to ₹750 off on the second ticket. Valid twice a month for movies, sports, theatre, or concerts | N/A |
| Hotel and Dining Benefit | N/A | Book stay for 3 nights and pay for two and 1+1 complimentary buffet at participating ITC hotels |
| Concierge Services | Global Personal Concierge 24X7 | Global Personal Concierge 24X7 |
SaveSage Insights
The decision between HDFC Infinia and ICICI Emeralde Private comes down to your personal preferences and spending patterns.
If you're someone who values higher base rewards across various categories, prioritizes premium travel perks, and needs more options for transferring points to airline and hotel partners, the HDFC Infinia might be the better choice for you.
On the other hand, if your spending is more focused on travel, especially hotels, and you want to earn higher rewards for specific categories, ICICI Emeralde Private offers superior benefits. It's also an excellent pick for those who enjoy luxury lifestyle benefits and entertainment perks, making it a great option for individuals who seek an all-rounded premium experience.
Conclusion
Both the HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Credit Card and the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card are at the top tier of premium cards available in India. Your decision should be based on your spending habits, travel goals, and which hotel loyalty program aligns better with your preferences.
If you’re seeking the widest array of partners and transfer options, the HDFC Bank Infinia Metal Credit Card is the superior choice. However, if you're looking for enhanced redemption value and a variety of lifestyle perks, the ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card stands out. Both cards offer outstanding benefits for those seeking exclusive luxury.
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