For high-net-worth individuals looking for premium credit cards, YES BANK Marquee and ICICI Emeralde Private Metal are two top contenders in India. Both cards offer exclusive lifestyle benefits, rewards, and travel perks, but they differ in annual fees, eligibility, rewards structure, and luxury privileges.
Here’s a detailed comparison to help you choose the card that best fits your spending habits and lifestyle.
Annual Fee and Eligibility
YES BANK Marquee
- Joining Fee: ₹9,999
- Annual Fee: ₹4,999
- Forex Markup Fee: 1% on international transactions
- Eligibility: Age 21–60, minimum salary or ITR threshold
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Joining / Renewal Fee: ₹12,499
- Annual Fee: Waivable based on annual spends
- Forex Markup Fee: 2%
- Eligibility: Invite-only card for high-net-worth individuals
Insights:
- YES Marquee has lower fees and wider availability for eligible users.
- Emeralde Private Metal is exclusive and invite-only, offering premium privileges for high spenders.
Welcome and Renewal Benefits
YES BANK Marquee
- Welcome Benefit: 40,000 reward points + subscription voucher
- Renewal Benefit: 20,000 reward points
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Welcome Benefit: 1-year premium hotel privileges membership + 12,500 reward points
- Renewal Benefit: Similar membership benefits + reward points on meeting annual spend criteria
Insights:
- Marquee provides instant rewards suitable for online spending and general lifestyle.
- Emeralde Private Metal focuses on luxury travel and lifestyle perks with milestone-based rewards.
Rewards Program and Value-back
YES BANK Marquee
- Online spends: 36 reward points per ₹200 → up to ~4.5% value-back
- Offline spends: lower reward rate than online
- Redemption: Rewards can be redeemed for flights, hotels, vouchers, and bill payments
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Base reward: 6 points per ₹200 spent on most categories
- Accelerated rewards: Up to 12X points on flights, hotels, and select vouchers via SmartBuy/iShop
- Redemption: 1 RP = ₹1 for flights/hotels; up to 1 AirMile; flexible for Apple/Tanishq vouchers
Insights:
- Marquee suits users with online-focused spends and general lifestyle expenses.
- Emeralde Private Metal is ideal for frequent travellers, providing higher value-back on travel and luxury purchases.
Read More: Best Rewards Point Credit Card
Lounge Access and Lifestyle Benefits
YES BANK Marquee
- Domestic lounge access with annual caps
- Guest access allowed
- Limited golf privileges and green fee waivers
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal
- Unlimited domestic and international lounge access (including Priority Pass)
- Unlimited golf games/lessons
- Additional travel perks: insurance, concierge services, milestone vouchers, dining privileges
Insights:
- Emeralde Private Metal clearly outshines Marquee for travellers and lifestyle enthusiasts.
- Marquee provides moderate luxury perks at a lower annual fee.
Read More: Best Lounge Access Credit Card
Quick Comparison
Who Should Choose Which Card?
Choose YES BANK Marquee if:
- You want a premium card with lower fees and good online rewards.
- Your spending is diversified across online shopping, bills, and lifestyle expenses.
- You want guest lounge access and moderate travel perks without an invite requirement.
Choose ICICI Emeralde Private Metal if:
- You are high-net-worth or eligible for invite-only cards.
- You travel frequently and want unlimited lounge access, golf privileges, and concierge services.
- You can meet the annual spend criteria to maximize welcome and milestone rewards.
- You want luxury-focused rewards and flexible redemption for flights, hotels, and premium vouchers.
Final Verdict
Both cards cater to premium users, but your choice should depend on spending patterns and lifestyle.