ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs SBI Prime
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI Prime wins 5-4. Step up from SimplyClick with lounge access. ICICI Emeralde Private Metal is still the right call if high-net-worth families wanting universal 6 icici points/₹100..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | SBI Prime |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹12,499 | ₹2,999 |
| Joining fee | · ₹12,499 | ₹2,999 |
| Top reward rate | 6% (general) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | 6% | · 1.25% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Taj Epicure / EazyDiner Prime / Times Prime annual membership | = ₹3,000 e-gift voucher (Aditya Birla / Bata / Pantaloons / Yatra) |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹1,500,000 / yr | ₹300,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹5,000,000 | ₹480,000 |
| Min credit score | · 800 | 750 |
| Editorial rating | 4.8/5 | · 4.2/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Unlimited domestic + international lounge access for self & guest
- 6 reward points per ₹100 across all categories
- Taj Epicure annual membership included
- 24x7 concierge + Golf privileges
- 2% forex markup
SBI Prime
- 10x reward points on dining + grocery + departmental + movies
- 5x on utility bill payments
- 8 domestic + 4 international lounge visits/year
- Club Vistara Silver + Trident Privilege Red
FAQ
›ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs SBI Prime: which is better?
SBI Prime wins on more dimensions (5 vs 4). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use ICICI Emeralde Private Metal for its best categories, SBI Prime for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal: Taj Epicure / EazyDiner Prime / Times Prime annual membership. SBI Prime: ₹3,000 e-gift voucher (Aditya Birla / Bata / Pantaloons / Yatra).