vs
In short: HDFC 6E Rewards - Indigo has the lower annual fee (₹500 vs ₹12,499); ICICI Emeralde Private Metal has the lower forex markup (2% vs 3.5%).
| Key facts | HDFC 6E Rewards - Indigo | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | ₹12,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | ₹12,499 |
| Annual fee waived | Not listed | On ₹10 lakh annual spend |
| Top reward rate | 2.5 6E Rewards Per ₹100 Spends on Indigo | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail |
| Base rewards | 1 6E Rewards Per ₹100 | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail |
| Lounge access | Not listed | Unlimited domestic & international lounge access |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 2% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 26 Oct 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.
On ₹20,000 a month with ₹5,000 at each card's top rate, HDFC 6E Rewards - Indigo returns about ₹8,099 more a year after annual fees (₹3,300 vs ₹7,200 in rewards).
| Spend profile | HDFC 6E Rewards - Indigo | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Reward value: top rate / base rate | 2.5% / 1% | 3% / 3% |
| ₹20,000 a month, all general spends | ₹2,400 | ₹7,200 |
| ₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate | ₹3,300 | ₹7,200 |
| Annual fee | ₹500 | ₹12,499 |
Estimates from the earn rates above, with stated cashback caps applied, before exclusions. Reward points are valued at the card's best listed redemption (often travel or vouchers via the bank's portal); cash-back on the statement is usually worth less. Annual fees may be waived on spend (see the table below).
6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card lists a lower headline annual fee in our data (around ₹11,999 apart), before waivers. Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card lists more lounge access benefits. Always confirm current fees and offers on the issuer’s site before you apply.
Last updated:
| Feature | 6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card | Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | HDFC Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Network | MasterCard | MasterCard |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.500 | Joining Fee - Rs.12499 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Renewal Fee of Rs. 500 | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.12499 |
| Annual fee waiver | — | Spend Rs.10 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee |
| Top reward rate | Earn 2.5 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 Spends on Indigo | Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail |
| Base rate (other spends) | Earn 1 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 | — |
| Lounge — domestic | — | Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access |
| Lounge — international | — | Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | — | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
| Welcome benefit | Get 1 Complimentary Flight Ticket Worth Rs.1500 | Get 12500 Reward Points as Joining Bonus |
| Milestone benefit | — | EaseMyTrip Air Travel Vouchers Worth Rs.3000 On Spend of Rs.4 Lakhs; EaseMyTrip Air Travel Vouchers Worth Rs.3000 On Spend of Rs.8 Lakhs |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card shows a higher headline earn rate (Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail vs Earn 2.5 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 Spends on Indigo). If you optimise for points or cashback on daily spend, start with that card’s reward bands — then model redemptions you actually use.
Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card lists more lounge access benefits (domestic: Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access; international: Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership). Frequent flyers should still confirm guest access, visit limits and participating airports with the issuer.
6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card appears cheaper on headline renewal fee in our data before waivers. If you are fee-sensitive, also read the waiver rules in the table — a higher sticker fee can still be net-negative cost if you naturally clear spend thresholds.
Consider 6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card if you already bank with HDFC Bank, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Consider Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if you already bank with ICICI Bank, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Lounge access listed for each card: Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card — domestic: Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access; international: Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership. 6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card — domestic: —; international: —. Guest rules, networks and visit caps change — confirm on the HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank websites before you travel.
The listed renewal fees are about ₹500 vs ₹12,499 per year before taxes and waivers. Campaigns and customer-specific pricing differ — use the comparison table and the HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank websites for the final number.
Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card shows a stronger headline earn rate (Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail vs Earn 2.5 6E Rewards Per Rs.100 Spends on Indigo). Category bonuses, caps and redemption value decide real-world returns — map this to where you actually spend.
6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card: Waiver terms not listed in our data — check HDFC Bank. Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: Spend Rs.10 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee Spend thresholds and anniversary rules change; confirm the latest T&Cs.
6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card: 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions Lower published foreign-currency markup is usually better for overseas and foreign-currency online spend; confirm the live rate and exclusions on the HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank websites.
6E Rewards - Indigo Hdfc Bank Credit Card: Get 1 Complimentary Flight Ticket Worth Rs.1500 Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: Get 12500 Reward Points as Joining Bonus Welcome campaigns are time-bound — verify eligibility and fulfilment on the HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank websites.