5 Best ICICI Bank Credit Cards for Air Travel

Joining Fee: Rs. 6,500
Renewal Fee: Rs. 3,500 (waived off on spending Rs. 6 lakh in a year)

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Credit Card is a premium credit card that is suited for both domestic and international travellers. This credit card offers premium privileges to its users, including complimentary membership, travel vouchers, complimentary lounge access and more. Some of its key features are as follows:

• Welcome vouchers of up to Rs. 9,500, including EaseMyTrip voucher worth Rs. 4,000
• Up to 20,000 ICICI bank reward points annually on domestic and international transactions
• Complimentary Dreamfolks pass and membership
• 4 complimentary visits to select airport lounges in India on spending Rs. 5,000 in a calendar quarter
• 2 complimentary international airport lounge visits per year
• 2 domestic airport spa visits per year
• Complimentary concierge services
• Extensive insurance cover on personal death due to air accident, loss or delay of baggage, loss of travel documents, missed international connecting flight, flight delay and hijacking
• Complimentary golf round or lesson on every Rs. 50,000 retail spent in the previous month (max. 4 rounds per month)

Suggested Read: Best Credit Cards in India

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000
Renewal Fee: Rs. 2,000 (waived off on spending Rs. 3 lakh in a year)

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card is from the gemstone collection of premium cards launched by ICICI Bank. This credit card provides exclusive privileges on multiple categories, especially travel and stay. Primary benefits and features related to this credit card are as follows:

• Shopping and travel vouchers worth Rs. 5,000+ on the payment of joining fee
• 2 ICICI reward points per Rs. 100 spent on domestic transactions, except fuel
• 4 reward points per Rs. 100 spent internationally
• 1 point for every Rs. 100 spent on utilities and insurance categories
• Complimentary 24×7 premium concierge service
• Comprehensive insurance cover for air accident, loss of travel documents or baggage, flight delay or hijack and missing flight because of trans-shipment
• 2 complimentary airport lounge access on spending Rs. 5,000 in a calendar quarter
• 2 complimentary railway lounge visits every quarter
• Complimentary golf round or lesson for every Rs. 50,000 retail spend in the previous month (max. 2 rounds per month)

Read our detailed ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card Review

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500
Renewal Fee: Nil

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card is a premium co-branded credit card. This credit card comes with a higher joining fee than the Platinum co-branded variant as it provides better benefits on the travel category. Details for the same are as follows:

• Rs. 1,500 My Cash and MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth Rs. 2,500 on joining
• Complimentary MMTBLACK Exclusive membership
• Rs. 2 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on MakeMyTrip flight bookings
• Rs. 4 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on MakeMyTrip hotel or holiday bookings
• Rs. 1.25 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on domestic transactions outside MakeMyTrip
• Rs. 1.50 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on international transactions outside MakeMyTrip
• 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge access on spending Rs. 5,000 in a calendar quarter
• 1 complimentary railway lounge access per calendar quarter
• Rs. 4,000 My Cash on spending Rs. 5 lakh each anniversary year
• Rs. 1,100 My Cash on spending Rs. 2.5 lakh each anniversary year

Joining Fee: Rs. 1,000 for Rubyx; Rs. 5,000 for Sapphiro; Rs. 10,000 for Emeralde
Renewal Fee: Same as joining fees

Emirates Skywards ICICI Bank Credit Cards come in 3 variants, namely Rubyx, Sapphiro and Emeralde. These co-branded cards offer extensive air travel benefits, including Skywards Miles as reward points, complimentary memberships and many more. Given below are some of the common features of the Emirates ICICI credit cards:

• Up to 2.5 Skywards Miles per Rs. 100 spent
• Complimentary access to domestic and international airport lounges and spas
• Joining and milestone benefits which may include up to 10,000 bonus Skywards Miles and Emirates Skywards Silver/Gold tier memberships
• Up to Rs. 750 off on movie ticket bookings on BookMyShow

Joining Fee: Rs. 500
Renewal Fee: Nil

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card is a co-branded credit card that lets you earn rewards on your travel expenses. This credit card also offers complimentary memberships and lounge access amongst other travel benefits. Here are some of the key features of this credit card:

• 500 My Cash and MakeMyTrip holiday voucher worth Rs. 3,000 on joining
• Rs. 2 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on MakeMyTrip flight bookings
• Rs. 3 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on MakeMyTrip hotel or holiday bookings
• Rs. 1 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on domestic transactions outside MakeMyTrip
• Rs. 1.25 My Cash per Rs. 200 spent on international transactions outside MakeMyTrip
• 1 complimentary domestic airport lounge access per quarter on spending Rs. 5,000 in a calendar quarter
• 1 complimentary railway lounge access per quarter
• Rs. 1,000 My Cash on spending Rs. 50,000 on MakeMyTrip bookings each anniversary year
• Rs. 1,000 My Cash on spending Rs. 2.5 lakh each anniversary year

Air travel industry is observing a huge boom in the Indian market. Privileges provided by ICICI Bank to the cardholders under various programs help them in availing premium facilities nominal costs. Even the joining fee/ renewal fee paid by the cardholder is reversed by the bank in one way or the other. So, if you are a frequent flyer, you should opt for Rubyx or Sapphiro credit cards, whereas loyal users of MakeMyTrip can opt for any of the co-branded credit cards as per their requirements.

Expert Tip

It is worth mentioning that you should never choose a credit card that offers maximum benefits. You should go for the credit card as per your needs and requirements. For example, if you are not a fan of golf, you should not opt for a card that offers it at an additional annual fee. The best credit card for you is the one that meets most of your requirements at the least annual fee.