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%
ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card leads overall with a CardCheck Score of 84/100 (+2 pts over Magnus 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%Magnus18/20
ICICI18/20
Tie (18/20)
Forex & Access
20%Magnus12/20
ICICI14/20
ICICI Wins
01—CardCheck Score & Pillars
- CardCheck Score
- 82
- 84Best
- Rating Verdict
- Excellent
- Excellent
- Reward Power (35%)
- 34/35
- 34/35
- Fee Value & ROI (25%)
- 18/25
- 18/25
- Lounge & Travel (20%)
- 18/20
- 18/20
- Forex & Access (20%)
- 12/20
- 14/20
02—Basic Info
- Bank
- Axis Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Network
- Visa
- Visa
- Card type
- Premium
- Premium
- Best for
- High-spend travellers — best-in-class miles earning + unlimited lounge
- Super-premium lifestyle — unlimited lounge, golf, spa & concierge
03—Fees
- Joining fee
- ₹12,500
- ₹12,000Best
- Annual fee
- ₹12,500
- ₹12,000Best
- Fee waiver
- ₹15,00,000
- ₹15,00,000
- Interest-free days
- —
- 50
04—Interest
- APR (min)
- 52.86%
- 42%Best
- APR (max)
- 52.86%
- 42%Best
- Late payment fee
- —
- ₹1,200
- Cash advance fee
- —
- 2.5%
05—Rewards
- Reward type
- miles
- points
- Min rate
- 1.2%Best
- 1%
- Max rate
- 6%Best
- 4%
- Points / ₹100
- 12Best
- 4
- Point value
- ₹1
- ₹0.5
06—Travel & Lounge
- Domestic lounge / qtr
- 8
- —
- Intl lounge / year
- 12Best
- 8
- Priority Pass
- DreamFolks
07—Forex & Fuel
- Forex markup
- 2%
- 1.5%Best
- Fuel surcharge waiver
08—Features
- Metal card
- Contactless
- UPI linked
09—Eligibility
- Min age
- 21
- 21
- Min income / month
- ₹1,50,000
- ₹3,00,000
- Min CIBIL
- 750Best
- 800
- Invite only
Rows won
05of 11
06of 11
| Attribute ↓ | Column A | ★ Overall pick Column B |
|---|---|---|
01—CardCheck Score & Pillars Differences highlighted | ||
| CardCheck Score | 82 | 84Best |
| Rating Verdict | Excellent | Excellent |
| Reward Power (35%) | 34/35 | 34/35 |
| Fee Value & ROI (25%) | 18/25 | 18/25 |
| Lounge & Travel (20%) | 18/20 | 18/20 |
| Forex & Access (20%) | 12/20 | 14/20 |
02—Basic Info Differences highlighted | ||
| Bank | Axis Bank | ICICI Bank |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Card type | Premium | Premium |
| Best for | High-spend travellers — best-in-class miles earning + unlimited lounge | 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 | ₹15,00,000 | ₹15,00,000 |
| Interest-free days | — | 50 |
04—Interest Differences highlighted | ||
| APR (min) | 52.86% | 42%Best |
| APR (max) | 52.86% | 42%Best |
| Late payment fee | — | ₹1,200 |
| Cash advance fee | — | 2.5% |
05—Rewards Differences highlighted | ||
| Reward type | miles | points |
| Min rate | 1.2%Best | 1% |
| Max rate | 6%Best | 4% |
| Points / ₹100 | 12Best | 4 |
| Point value | ₹1 | ₹0.5 |
06—Travel & Lounge Differences highlighted | ||
| Domestic lounge / qtr | 8 | — |
| Intl lounge / year | 12Best | 8 |
| Priority Pass | ||
| DreamFolks | ||
07—Forex & Fuel Differences highlighted | ||
| Forex markup | 2% | 1.5%Best |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | ||
08—Features Differences highlighted | ||
| Metal card | ||
| Contactless | ||
| UPI linked | ||
09—Eligibility Differences highlighted | ||
| Min age | 21 | 21 |
| Min income / month | ₹1,50,000 | ₹3,00,000 |
| Min CIBIL | 750Best | 800 |
| Invite only | ||
| Rows won | 05of 11 | 06of 11 |
Quick Verdict & Key Differences
Verified MITC Data
| Key Specification | Magnus Credit Card | ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| CardCheck Score | 82/100Excellent | 84/100Excellent |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 | ₹12,000 |
| Fee Waiver Spend | ₹15L/yr | ₹15L/yr |
| Max Reward Potential | 6% | 4% |
| Domestic Lounge Access | 8 / quarter | Check terms |
| International Lounge | 12 / year | 8 / year |
| Forex Markup Fee | 2% | 1.5% |
Choose Magnus Credit Card if:
Your spending centers around high-spend travellers — best-in-class miles earning + unlimited lounge 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.
Frequently asked questions: Magnus Credit Card vs ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card
- Which is better: Magnus Credit Card or ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card?
- ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card holds a higher overall rating with a CardCheck Score of 84/100 (Excellent) compared to 82/100 (Excellent) for Magnus Credit Card (a lead of +2 points). ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card is classified in our Elite tier due to superior spend returns and comprehensive travel perks.
- 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 ₹15 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 ₹15 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 8 domestic lounge visit(s) per quarter and 12 international lounge visit(s)/yr. On the other hand, ICICI Bank Emeralde Credit Card provides standard lounge access terms subject to bank quarterly spend criteria. Note that most issuers now require meeting minimum quarterly spend criteria (typically ₹10,000 to ₹50,000 in the preceding quarter) to unlock lounge access.
- 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 1.5%. 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).