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In short: ICICI Emeralde Private Metal has the lower annual fee (₹12,499 vs ₹12,500); both include unlimited domestic & international lounge access; both charge a 2% forex markup.
| Key facts | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | HDFC Infinia Metal Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹12,499 | ₹12,500 |
| Joining fee | ₹12,499 | ₹12,500 |
| Annual fee waived | On ₹10 lakh annual spend | On ₹10 lakh annual spend |
| Top reward rate | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail | 10X reward points on SmartBuy, IGP.com, Jockey and 1 more |
| Base rewards | 6 reward points For Every ₹200 on Retail | 5 Reward Points For Every ₹150 Spent |
| Lounge access | Unlimited domestic & international lounge access | Unlimited domestic & international lounge access |
| Forex markup | 2% | 2% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 4 Nov 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 Infinia Metal Edition returns about ₹18,799 more a year after annual fees (₹26,000 vs ₹7,200 in rewards).
| Spend profile | ICICI Emeralde Private Metal | HDFC Infinia Metal Edition |
|---|---|---|
| Reward value: top rate / base rate | 3% / 3% | 33.33% / 3.33% |
| ₹20,000 a month, all general spends | ₹7,200 | ₹8,000 |
| ₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate | ₹7,200 | ₹26,000 |
| Annual fee | ₹12,499 | ₹12,500 |
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).
The Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card and the Infinia Metal Edition Hdfc Credit Card both offer premium metal card experiences with similar joining and renewal fees of around Rs.12,500 and fee waivers on Rs.10 lakh annual spend. While both cards provide unlimited domestic and international lounge access and 1% fuel surcharge waiver, they differ significantly in rewards structure and milestone benefits. The Icici Emeralde card focuses on uniform rewards across multiple everyday categories and milestone travel vouchers, whereas the HDFC Infinia card offers higher accelerated rewards on select brands and categories but no milestone benefits listed.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
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| Feature | Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card | Infinia Metal Edition Hdfc Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | ICICI Bank | HDFC Bank |
| Network | MasterCard | Visa |
| Joining fee | Joining Fee - Rs.12499 | Joining Fee of Rs.12500 |
| Annual / renewal fee | Second Year Onwards Annual Fee of Rs.12499 | Renewal Fee of Rs. 12500 |
| Annual fee waiver | Spend Rs.10 Lakh For Waiver of Annual Fee | Spend Rs.10 Lakh For Renewal Fee Waiver |
| Top reward rate | Earn 6 Rewards Points For Every Rs.200 on Retail | 10X reward points on SmartBuy, IGP.com, Jockey and 1 more |
| Base rate (other spends) | — | Earn 5 Reward Points For Every Rs.150 Spent |
| Lounge — domestic | Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Access | Enjoy Unlimited Complimentary Lounge Visits in India |
| Lounge — international | Unlimited International Lounge Access With the Priority Pass Membership | Enjoy Unlimited Complimentary International Lounge Visits |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
| Welcome benefit | Get 12500 Reward Points as Joining Bonus | Earn 12500 Reward Points As Welcome Benefit |
| 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 | 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 2% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
The Infinia Metal Edition Hdfc Credit Card clearly leads in rewards potential, offering 10X points on key brands like SmartBuy, IGP.com, and Jockey, with a top reward rate value of about 33.33%, compared to the Icici Emeralde's flat 6 points per Rs.200 (3% value). At Rs.20,000 monthly spend, Infinia can yield approximately Rs.26,000 annually in rewards, significantly higher than Icici Emeralde’s Rs.7,200. However, Icici Emeralde’s rewards are more evenly distributed across categories like education, grocery, and utilities, which may benefit users with diverse spending. Both cards provide a 12,500 reward points welcome bonus.
Both cards offer unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access, making them equally strong for frequent travelers. Icici Emeralde adds value with milestone benefits in the form of EaseMyTrip air travel vouchers worth Rs.3,000 each on spends of Rs.4 lakh and Rs.8 lakh, which can enhance travel savings. Infinia provides a Club Marriott membership, which may appeal to those who prefer hotel loyalty benefits. Overall, travel perks are comparable, with Icici Emeralde offering milestone travel vouchers and Infinia focusing on premium memberships.
Both cards have similar joining and renewal fees of about Rs.12,500, with fee waivers available upon spending Rs.10 lakh annually. The fuel surcharge waiver of 1% and forex markup fee of 2% are identical for both cards. Neither card offers a lower fee structure or easier waiver conditions, so the effective cost depends on how well you utilize the rewards and benefits.
Icici Emeralde offers a uniform 6 points per Rs.200 spent across multiple categories, making it easier to earn rewards on diverse expenses. In contrast, Infinia provides higher accelerated points (up to 10X) but only on select brands and categories, which requires more targeted spending to maximize benefits.
Icici Emeralde includes milestone benefits with EaseMyTrip air travel vouchers worth Rs.3,000 each upon spending Rs.4 lakh and Rs.8 lakh annually, adding tangible travel value. Infinia does not list milestone benefits in our data, so check with the issuer for any updates.
Both cards offer unlimited complimentary golf games, but Infinia additionally provides complimentary golf lessons, enhancing the lifestyle benefits for golf enthusiasts.
Consider Icici Emeralde Private Metal Credit Card if you prefer a straightforward rewards structure with consistent points across multiple everyday spending categories like education, grocery, and utilities. It is also a good choice if you value milestone travel vouchers to EaseMyTrip and want unlimited domestic and international lounge access with Priority Pass. This card suits users who want a balanced premium card with lifestyle and travel benefits.
Consider Infinia Metal Edition Hdfc Credit Card if you seek higher rewards on specific brands and categories such as SmartBuy, IGP.com, and hotels, with up to 10X points, resulting in significantly greater annual rewards at typical spends. It is ideal for users who prefer premium memberships like Club Marriott and complimentary golf lessons alongside unlimited golf games. This card is better suited for those who want to maximize rewards on targeted spends and enjoy exclusive lifestyle privileges.
Both Icici Emeralde Private Metal and Infinia Metal Edition Hdfc credit cards have joining and renewal fees around Rs.12,500. The annual fee is waived if you spend Rs.10 lakh in the year.
Yes, both cards provide unlimited complimentary domestic and international lounge access, with Icici Emeralde including Priority Pass membership.
Icici Emeralde offers a consistent 6 reward points per Rs.200 spent across categories like education, grocery, and utilities. Infinia offers higher rewards on select brands but a lower base rate.
Icici Emeralde offers milestone travel vouchers worth Rs.3,000 on spends of Rs.4 lakh and Rs.8 lakh annually. Milestone benefits for Infinia are not listed in our data.
Both cards provide a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions.
Yes, both cards charge a 2% forex markup fee on foreign currency transactions.