Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card vs ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: Axis Horizon has the lower annual fee (₹3,000 vs ₹12,499); Axis Horizon includes 6 airport lounge visits, ICICI Emeralde Private Metal unlimited domestic & international lounge access; ICICI Emeralde Private Metal has the lower forex markup (2% vs 3.5%).
| Key facts | Axis Horizon | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹3,000 | ₹12,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹3,000 | ₹12,499 |
| Annual fee waived | Not listed | On ₹10 lakh annual spend |
| Top reward rate | 5 EDGE Miles on Every ₹100 Spent on Travel | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail |
| Base rewards | 2 EDGE Miles Per ₹100 On All Other Spends | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail |
| Lounge access | 6 airport lounge visits | Unlimited domestic & international lounge access |
| Forex markup | 3.5% | 2% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 25 Oct 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card lists a lower headline annual fee in our data (around ₹9,499 apart), before waivers. Always confirm current fees and offers on the issuer’s site before you apply.
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| Feature | Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card | Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Network | MasterCard | MasterCard |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee of Rs.3000 | Joining Fee - Rs.12499 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Annual Fee - Rs.3000 | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.12499 |
| Annual fee waiver | — | Spend Rs.10 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee |
| Top reward rate | Earn 5 EDGE Miles on Every Rs.100 Spent on Travel | Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail |
| Base rate (other spends) | Earn 2 EDGE Miles Per Rs.100 On All Other Spends | — |
| Lounge — domestic | 6 Complimentary Lounge Access in India | Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access |
| Lounge — international | Enjoy 2 International Complimentary Airport Lounge Access | Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
| Welcome benefit | Welcome Benefits - 5000 EDGE Reward Points | Get 12500 Reward Points as Joining Bonus |
| Milestone benefit | Renewal Benefit - 1500 EDGE Miles | 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 | 3.50% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card shows a higher headline earn signal in the reward summaries we index (Earn 5 EDGE Miles on Every Rs.100 Spent on Travel vs Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail). If you optimise for points or cashback on daily spend, start with that card’s reward bands — then model redemptions you actually use.
Which is better for travel?
Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card has richer lounge-related fields in our current benefits extract (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.
Which has lower effective cost?
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard 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.
Who should pick Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card?
Consider Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card if you already bank with Axis 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.
Who should pick Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card?
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the lounge fields in our benefit data: Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card — domestic: Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access; international: Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership. Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card — domestic: 6 Complimentary Lounge Access in India; international: Enjoy 2 International Complimentary Airport Lounge Access. Guest rules, networks and visit caps change — confirm on the Axis Bank and ICICI Bank websites before you travel.
From the renewal-fee lines we index, the headline amounts are about ₹3,000 vs ₹12,499 per year before taxes and waivers. Campaigns and customer-specific pricing differ — use the comparison table and the Axis Bank and ICICI Bank websites for the final number.
On the first reward band we surface, Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card shows a stronger headline earn (Earn 5 EDGE Miles on Every Rs.100 Spent on Travel vs Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail). Category bonuses, caps and redemption value decide real-world returns — map this to where you actually spend.
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card: Waiver wording not in our benefit extract — check Axis 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.
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card: 3.50% - 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 Axis Bank and ICICI Bank websites.
Axis Bank Horizon Mastercard Credit Card: Welcome Benefits - 5000 EDGE Reward Points Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card: Get 12500 Reward Points as Joining Bonus Welcome campaigns are time-bound — verify eligibility and fulfilment on the Axis Bank and ICICI Bank websites.