Axis Magnus vs ICICI Emeralde
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
ICICI Emeralde wins 3 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.7/10 vs 7.4/10.
| Feature | Axis Magnus | ICICI Emeralde |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 7.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹12,500 | ₹12,000 |
| Base Reward Rate | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Max Reward Rate | 6% | 4% |
| Forex Markup | 2% | 2% |
| Domestic Lounges | -1 | -1 |
| International Lounges | -1 | -1 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa Infinite | Visa Infinite |
When to Choose Axis Magnus
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend Rs 25L in preceding year (excludes insurance, gold, fuel spends)
- You want higher rewards — up to 6% vs 4%
- Your primary spend is: travel, high-spender, forex-spend
When to Choose ICICI Emeralde
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend ₹15L/year
- Your primary spend is: luxury, dining, high-spender
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on Axis Magnus's ₹12,500 fee at 1.2% rewards, spend ₹86,806/month.
To break even on ICICI Emeralde's ₹12,000 fee at 1.5% rewards, spend ₹66,667/month.