ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs Standard Chartered Ultimate
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
Standard Chartered Ultimate wins 6-3. Best general earn-rate at the ₹5K fee tier. 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 | Standard Chartered Ultimate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹12,499 | ₹5,000 |
| Joining fee | · ₹12,499 | ₹5,000 |
| Top reward rate | · 3% (general) | 3.3% (general) |
| Base reward rate | · 3% | 3.3% |
| Forex markup | 2% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = Taj Epicure + EazyDiner Prime memberships + 12,500 reward points | = 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹1,000,000 / yr | · ₹1,500,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹5,000,000 | ₹1,500,000 |
| Min credit score | · 800 | 780 |
| Editorial rating | 4.8/5 | · 4.4/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Unlimited domestic + international lounge access for self & guest
- 6 reward points per ₹200 (effectively 3%); caps: grocery / education / utility 1,000 pts per cycle, insurance 5,000 pts
- No reward points on rent, fuel, government, tax, or wallet loads
- Taj Epicure annual membership included
- 24x7 concierge + Golf privileges
- 2% forex markup
Standard Chartered Ultimate
- 5 reward points per ₹150 (effectively 3.3%)
- 4 complimentary international lounge visits/year
- BookMyShow buy-1-get-1
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Comprehensive travel + purchase insurance
FAQ
›ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs Standard Chartered Ultimate: which is better?
Standard Chartered Ultimate wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). 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, Standard Chartered Ultimate 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 memberships + 12,500 reward points. Standard Chartered Ultimate: 6,000 reward points + ₹1,000 voucher.