ICICI Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia Credit Card

ICICI Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia Credit Card

Last Updated : March 6, 2025, 3:24 p.m.

ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank are two of India’s most popular credit card issuers. They offer a wide range of credit cards across a wide range of categories. The Infinia credit card and Emeralde credit card are the most luxurious offerings by HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank respectively. Both these cards are curated for high net worth individuals and offer various benefits. Let us now compare both these credit cards with respect to different aspects like features, benefits, offers, lifestyle, premium benefits, fees, and eligibility criteria in ICICI Emeralde Credit Card vs HDFC Infinia Credit Card .

Before finalizing any credit card, ensure to have them compared thoroughly. Also,check your eligibility criteria before applying for the card in order to ensure approval. The credit score is one of the most important eligibility criteria for most credit cards. Do a CIBIL score check for free on Wishfin. Also, view your detailed CIBIL report.

ICICI Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia Credit Card - Comparison

The ICICI Emeralde credit card is a premium credit card that enriches your lifestyle and travels with offers on movies and events, complimentary rounds of golf every month, shopping voucher from Tata Clique worth Rs. 5000 in your birthday month, unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access, and much more. The fee for the card is quite high but you can get an annual fee waiver. The card also offers a good reward rate across different categories although it is not as good as competitor credit cards such as HDFC Diners Club Black credit card and Axis Magnus credit card in this segment.

The HDFC Infinia credit card is one of the top super premium credit cards in the market. Although it comes with a high fee, the redemption value of HDFC Infinia for travel bookings via SmartBuy and Air mile conversion helps it outshine its competitors. It is one of the most sought after luxury credit cards for travel due to its unlimited domestic and international lounge access, low forex markup fee, and benefits with ITC and Marriott. Further, it has a lucrative rewards program.

The table below shows both these credit cards compared on the basis of various parameters.

ParameterICICI Emeralde Credit CardHDFC Infinia Credit Card

Annual fee

  • Rs. 12,000
  • Rs. 12,500

Monthly membership fee

  • Rs. 1000 plus GST.
  • No such option

Rewards

  • 4 reward points per Rs. 100 spent on all retail transactions except fuel.
  • 1 reward point per Rs. 100 spent on utility and insurance transactions.
  • Get 5 reward points per Rs. 150 spent across all retail categories including utilities, education, and insurance.
  • Up to 10x rewards on travel and shopping spends made via HDFC Bank’s SmartBuy platform.
  • 10x reward points on hotel/flight/bus bookings via Cleartrip, Redbus, and EaseMyTrip.
  • 3x reward points on Flipkart and railway ticket bookings.

Rewards redemption

Reward points can be redeemed against various categories such as lifestyle products, movie and travel vouchers, appliances, mobiles, etc.

Reward redemption rate is

1 reward point = Re. 0.25.

Reward points can be redeemed at the rates specified below:

  • 1 reward point = Re 1 on flight and hotel bookings via SmartBuy.
  • 1 reward point = Re 1 on purchasing apple products and Tanishq vouchers via SmartBuy.
  • 1 reward point = 1 Air Mile through netbanking.
  • 1 reward point = Rs. 0.50 for purchases of vouchers and products on SmartBuy.
  • 1 reward point = Rs. 0.30 on cashback conversion.

Welcome benefits

  • Get 12,500 bonus reward points on paying the joining fee.
  • Receive an annual membership to Club Marriott as a complimentary feature.
  • No welcome benefits

Travel benefits

  • Unlimited complimentary domestic and international airport lounge access.
  • Free flight ticket cancellation (Waiver of charges up to Rs. 12,000)
  • Unlimited free international and domestic airport lounge access for primary and add on cardholders.
  • One year complimentary Club Marriott membership

Dining/Movie perks

  • Enjoy Buy 1 Get 1 free offer on movie tickets booked via BookMyShow. The offer can be availed up to 4 times every month.
  • Get a discount of up to 15% on dining across various participating restaurants.
  • Get up to 20% off on dining expenses.
  • Get 1 + 1 complimentary buffet at participating ITC hotels.

Golf benefits

  • Get complimentary golf rounds or golf lessons per Rs. 50,000 or more spent using the card in the previous month, (Up to a maximum of 4 rounds/golf lessons every month).
  • Unlimited complimentary golf games

Fuel surcharge waiver

  • Get 1% fuel surcharge waived off on all fuel spends
  • Get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel spends between Rs. 400 to Rs. 1,00,000 (With a maximum of Rs. 1000/month).

Insurance

  • Get a personal air accident cover worth Rs. 3 crores.
  • Accidental air death cover worth Rs. 3 crores.
  • Emergency overseas hospitalization cover of up to Rs. 50 lakhs in case of an emergency.
  • Credit shield cover for up to Rs. 9 lakhs

Spend based waivers

  • Get an annual fee waiver upon spending Rs. 15 lakhs or more in the previous year.
  • Get a monthly membership fee waiver on spends of Rs. 1 lakh in the previous month.
  • Get an annual fee waiver on spending more than Rs. 10 lakhs in the previous year.

Finance charges

  • 3.40% per month
  • 1.99% per month

Foreign currency markup fee

  • 1.5%
  • 2%

Eligibility Criteria of Both Cards

  • HDFC Infinia: HDFC Infinia is an invite-only card (an invitation will be sent to the eligible user via SMS or email).

ICICI Emeralde Credit Card:

  • Only existing ICICI Bank Global Private client customers can apply for the credit card.
  • Salary: The net monthly income must be Rs. 1,50,000 or above.
  • The annual tax returns filed should be 18,00000 or above.

Which Card to Choose?

The HDFC Infinia, as well as the ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card are really great choices for credit cards in the premium category. You cannot say that one card is better than the other. So, choose the card most suitable for you based on your spending pattern and preferences. This article ICICI Emeralde Credit Card versus HDFC Infinia Credit Card will surely help in analyzing the two cards at a deeper level.

Conclusion

You have seen all the major differences between the ICICI Emeralde vs HDFC Infinia Credit Card and now it will be easy for you to make a one-sided choice. But if you want to apply for the Infinia Credit Card then you will get the invitation from the bank. Both credit cards need a high income so make sure you fulfil the eligibility criteria before you apply for any credit card.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the credit limit offered on the HDFC Infinia credit card?

Is the HDFC Infinia credit card an invite only card?

What is the difference between ICICI Emeralde and ICICI Emeralde metal?

What is the customer care number for ICICI credit card?

Is complimentary Club Marriott membership limited for the HDFC Infinia credit card?

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