Magnus Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Axis Bank · ICICI Bank — side-by-side CardCheck comparison
CardCheck Score BattleDeterministic 0–100 Benchmark Rating
100% Unsponsored MITC Data
Axis BankScoreExcellent
Annual Fee₹12,500
Max Reward6%
ICICI BankScoreExcellent
Annual Fee₹12,000
Max Reward4%
Magnus Credit Card leads overall with a CardCheck Score of 84/100 (+2 pts over ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card).
4-Pillar Head-to-Head Breakdown
Magnus vs ICICIReward Power
35%Magnus34/35
ICICI34/35
Tie (34/35)
Fee Value & ROI
25%Magnus18/25
ICICI18/25
Tie (18/25)
Lounge & Travel
20%Magnus20/20
ICICI18/20
Magnus Wins
Forex & Access
20%Magnus12/20
ICICI12/20
Tie (12/20)
01—CardCheck Score & Pillars
- CardCheck Score
- 84Best
- 82
- Rating Verdict
- Excellent
- Excellent
- Reward Power (35%)
- 34/35
- 34/35
- Fee Value & ROI (25%)
- 18/25
- 18/25
- Lounge & Travel (20%)
- 20/20
- 18/20
- Forex & Access (20%)
- 12/20
- 12/20
02—Basic Info
- Bank
- Axis Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Network
- Visa
- Amex
- Card type
- Premium
- Premium
- Best for
- Travel & Lifestyle
- Super-premium lifestyle — unlimited lounge, golf, spa & concierge
03—Fees
- Joining fee
- ₹12,500
- ₹12,000Best
- Annual fee
- ₹12,500
- ₹12,000Best
- Fee waiver
- ₹25,00,000
- ₹10,00,000Best
- Interest-free days
- 50
- 50
04—Interest
- APR (min)
- 36%Best
- 45%
- APR (max)
- 36%Best
- 45%
- Late payment fee
- ₹1,300
- ₹1,300
- Cash advance fee
- —
- 3.75%
05—Rewards
- Reward type
- points
- points
- Min rate
- 1.2%Best
- 1%
- Max rate
- 6%Best
- 4%
- Points / ₹100
- 6Best
- 4
- Point value
- ₹0.2
- ₹0.5
- Monthly cap
- ₹1,50,000
- —
06—Travel & Lounge
- Domestic lounge / qtr
- Unlimited
- —
- Lounge spend criteria
- ₹50,000 spend req.
- No spend condition
- Priority Pass
- DreamFolks
07—Forex & Fuel
- Forex markup
- 2%
- 2%
- Fuel surcharge waiver
08—Features
- Metal card
- Contactless
- UPI linked
09—Eligibility
- Min income / month
- ₹2,00,000
- ₹1,50,000
- Invite only
Rows won
06of 09
03of 09
| Attribute ↓ | ||
|---|---|---|
01—CardCheck Score & Pillars Differences highlighted | ||
| CardCheck Score | 84Best | 82 |
| Rating Verdict | Excellent | Excellent |
| Reward Power (35%) | 34/35 | 34/35 |
| Fee Value & ROI (25%) | 18/25 | 18/25 |
| Lounge & Travel (20%) | 20/20 | 18/20 |
| Forex & Access (20%) | 12/20 | 12/20 |
02—Basic Info Differences highlighted | ||
| Bank | Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Network | Visa | Amex |
| Card type | Premium | Premium |
| Best for | Travel & Lifestyle | Super-premium lifestyle — unlimited lounge, golf, spa & concierge |
03—Fees Differences highlighted | ||
| Joining fee | ₹12,500 | ₹12,000Best |
| Annual fee | ₹12,500 | ₹12,000Best |
| Fee waiver | ₹25,00,000 | ₹10,00,000Best |
| Interest-free days | 50 | 50 |
04—Interest Differences highlighted | ||
| APR (min) | 36%Best | 45% |
| APR (max) | 36%Best | 45% |
| Late payment fee | ₹1,300 | ₹1,300 |
| Cash advance fee | — | 3.75% |
05—Rewards Differences highlighted | ||
| Reward type | points | points |
| Min rate | 1.2%Best | 1% |
| Max rate | 6%Best | 4% |
| Points / ₹100 | 6Best | 4 |
| Point value | ₹0.2 | ₹0.5 |
| Monthly cap | ₹1,50,000 | — |
06—Travel & Lounge Differences highlighted | ||
| Domestic lounge / qtr | Unlimited | — |
| Lounge spend criteria | ₹50,000 spend req. | No spend condition |
| Priority Pass | ||
| DreamFolks | ||
07—Forex & Fuel Differences highlighted | ||
| Forex markup | 2% | 2% |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | ||
08—Features Differences highlighted | ||
| Metal card | ||
| Contactless | ||
| UPI linked | ||
09—Eligibility Differences highlighted | ||
| Min income / month | ₹2,00,000 | ₹1,50,000 |
| Invite only | ||
| Rows won | 06of 09 | 03of 09 |
Quick Verdict & Key Differences
Verified MITC Data
| Key Specification | Magnus Credit Card | ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| CardCheck Score | 84/100Excellent | 82/100Excellent |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 | ₹12,000 |
| Fee Waiver Spend | ₹25L/yr | ₹10L/yr |
| Max Reward Potential | 6% | 4% |
| Domestic Lounge Access | Unlimited | Check terms |
| International Lounge | Priority Pass (Select) | Priority Pass (Select) |
| Forex Markup Fee | 2% | 2% |
Choose Magnus Credit Card if:
Your spending centers around travel & lifestyle and you want direct partner rewards with Axis Bank.
Choose ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card if:
Your spending aligns with super-premium lifestyle — unlimited lounge, golf, spa & concierge and you prioritize ICICI Bank's redemption benefits.
Popular Comparisons for Magnus Credit Card
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Popular Comparisons for ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
Direct side-by-side MITC term matchups
Frequently asked questions: Magnus Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- Which is better: Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
- Magnus Credit Card holds a higher overall rating with a CardCheck Score of 84/100 (Excellent) compared to 82/100 (Excellent) for ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card (a lead of +2 points). Magnus Credit Card gains its scoring lead primarily through lounge & travel privileges (20 vs 18) while tying on reward potential and fee value & ROI and forex & terms.
- How do annual fees and fee waiver spend rules compare?
- Magnus Credit Card charges an annual fee of ₹12,500 with an annual spend threshold of ₹25 Lakh for renewal fee waiver. In comparison, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card charges an annual fee of ₹12,000 with an annual spend threshold of ₹10 Lakh.
- How do the reward rates and cashback compare between Magnus Credit Card and ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
- Magnus Credit Card offers a base reward rate of 1.2% and up to 6% on accelerated partner categories. Meanwhile, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card offers a base rate of 1% and up to 4% on eligible spends. Compare net returns against your monthly spend in our Rewards Calculator.
- Which card has better airport lounge access: Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
- Magnus Credit Card provides unlimited complimentary domestic airport lounge access and complimentary Priority Pass for international lounges (requires ₹50,000 spend in the previous period to unlock). On the other hand, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card provides complimentary Priority Pass for international lounges.
- Which card is better for international foreign currency spends?
- Magnus Credit Card levies a foreign currency markup fee of 2%, while ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card charges 2%. Lower forex markup directly reduces costs when transacting overseas or on international e-commerce platforms.
- Is CardCheck's comparison data unbiased and verified against official bank MITC?
- Yes. All credit card fees, interest rates, lounge visit quotas, and reward calculations on CardCheck are 100% unsponsored and verified directly against each bank's official Most Important Terms & Conditions (MITC).