ICICI Emeralde Private Metal vs HDFC Infinia: Which Premium Card Reigns Supreme?

Choosing between the ICICI Emeralde Private Metal and the HDFC Infinia credit cards can be tough. Both are top-tier options, but cater to slightly different needs. This detailed comparison will help you decide which premium metal card best suits your lifestyle.

Annual Fees and Joining Benefits

Both cards command a significant annual fee, but offer compelling welcome bonuses and potential fee waivers.

Feature	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal	HDFC Infinia
Annual Fee	₹14749	₹14750 (First year free on ₹3,00,000 spend in 90 days)
Welcome Bonus	12,500 reward points	12,500 reward points
Annual Fee Waiver	Spend ₹15 Lakh in a year	Spend ₹10 Lakh in a year

Image Credit: Reddit

Reward Structure & Redemption

The reward structures differ significantly, impacting the value you receive from your spending.

Feature	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal	HDFC Infinia
Base Reward Rate	6 RP per ₹200 (3%)	5 RP per ₹150 (3.33%)
Accelerated Rewards	Flights/Hotels/Vouchers via iShop (6x-12x)	Travel & Shopping via SmartBuy (5x-10x)
Reward Redemption	1 RP = ₹0.25 (cashback/gifts); up to ₹1 (flights/hotels/vouchers)	1 RP = ₹1 (flights/hotels via SmartBuy); ₹0.30 (cashback); ₹0.50 or 1 air mile (airmiles)

Travel and Lifestyle Benefits

Both cards offer a range of premium travel and lifestyle benefits. However, the specifics vary.

Benefit	ICICI Emeralde Private Metal	HDFC Infinia
Airport Lounge Access	Unlimited (Domestic & International)	Unlimited (Domestic & International)
Hotel Partnerships	Taj Epicure Membership	Club Marriott Membership
Other Benefits	Travel Cancellation Cover, BOGO BookMyShow, Golf Rounds	Fuel Surcharge Waiver, Concierge Services, Insurance Coverage

Image Credit: Wishfin

Use Cases

Let's look at some real-world scenarios to illustrate the value proposition of each card.

Scenario 1: International Trip

Expense	ICICI Emeralde (Estimated Rewards)	HDFC Infinia (Estimated Rewards)
Flights (₹100,000)	₹18,000 (6x)	₹16,500 (5x)
Hotel (₹50,000)	₹18,000 (6x)	₹16,500 (5x)
Shopping (₹20,000)	₹3,600 (6x)	₹3,300 (5x)
Total Estimated Rewards	₹39,600	₹36,300

In this scenario, the ICICI Emeralde offers slightly better returns due to higher accelerated rewards.

Apply Now - ICICI Emeralde Private Metal Apply Now - HDFC Infinia

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