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1838 Reserve ICICI Bank Credit Card
1838 Reserve is an invite-only, ultra-premium Visa card that ICICI Bank built with Times Internet. Its name comes from the founding year of The Times of India. It costs ₹1.75 lakh plus GST to join and the same every year, with no spend-based waiver. In return it pays 3% on domestic spends and 2% abroad with zero forex markup, and it is loaded with membership-style perks: The Quorum Club and its 280+ partner clubs, Crib Life concierge, Harrods Gold status, quarterly 50%-off Business Class companion tickets and a villa stay on joining. It suits very high spenders who will actually use the club, concierge and travel privileges. For pure reward value, the fee is hard to justify.
Annual fee
₹1,75,000
Joining fee
₹1,75,000
Reward type
points
Base reward rate
3%
Card network
Visa
Card tier
Super-premium
Who this card fits
Best suited to applicants who clear the standard eligibility bar whose spend is concentrated in travel. It's worth the annual fee mainly if your points value clears it.
Rewards & benefits
- Rewards rate: 3% base rate
- Reward redemption: Reward points can be redeemed through ICICI's catalogue for health and beauty, travel and luggage, shopping vouchers, electronics, home appliances, and fashion and lifestyle products.
- Travel: Once a quarter, 50% off a companion's Business Class ticket (up to ₹50,000) when one Business Class ticket is booked; a quarterly private chauffeur airport transfer at select international locations; two fast-track security entries at select international airports for the cardholder and one guest; unlimited Visa services (application to doorstep delivery) for the cardholder, spouse and up to 2 children; Accor+ Explorer membership (Gold tier); pay for 2 nights and stay 3 at ITC properties.
- Domestic lounge access: Not offered; ICICI's MITC states that domestic and international lounge access is not available on the 1838 Reserve card.
- International lounge access: Not offered; ICICI's MITC states that domestic and international lounge access is not available on the 1838 Reserve card.
Benefits by category
- ⛽ Fuel
1% fuel surcharge waiver.
- 🌍 Forex / international spend
Zero forex markup on all international spends. · 0% forex markup on international transactions
Eligibility
- Minimum monthly income: ₹3,00,000
- Employment: salaried, self-employed
Fees & charges
- Foreign currency markup: 0%
- Interest rate: 1.67% p.a.
- Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver, subject to ICICI's terms.
- Cash advance charges: Nil ATM withdrawal fee, per ICICI's product page; interest still applies at the card's 1.67% a month (see the ICICI Bank MITC for other charges).
Benefits
- 3% back in reward points on domestic spends and 2% on international spends. Overall cap is 1,00,000 points per month, with a combined 10,000-point cap on utility, telecom, government, tax, education and insurance spends. No points on fuel, rent, e-wallet loads or EMI.
- Joining benefits once the fee is paid: a complimentary overnight stay at select Lohono Stays Platinum Villas (worth ₹50,000), a welcome gift worth ₹25,000 (Marshall, Smeg or Le Creuset on Tata CliQ Luxury, or Good Earth), and a Klook museum experience for two (worth ₹7,500). All are claimed through the 1838 Reserve app.
- Full membership of The Quorum Club with access to 280+ private clubs in 52 countries (worth ₹3 lakh), complimentary Harrods Gold tier status, and four Truefitt & Hill Royal Signature services a year (one per quarter).
- Unlimited dedicated concierge through Crib Life, with an assigned Lifestyle Manager.
- Zero forex markup on all international spends.
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver.
Pros
- + 3% reward rate on domestic spends, which is among the highest flat rates in India
- + Zero forex markup, plus 2% back on international spends
- + Quarterly 50%-off Business Class companion ticket (up to ₹50,000 each time)
- + Quorum Club membership with reciprocal access to 280+ clubs in 52 countries
- + Unlimited dedicated concierge and Visa services for the whole family
- + No late payment fee and no ATM withdrawal fee
Cons
- − ₹1.75 lakh + GST joining and annual fee, with no spend-based waiver
- − Invite-only; you can only register interest or go through a Relationship Manager
- − No add-on cards
- − No airport lounge access, domestic or international, per ICICI's MITC
- − No points on rent, fuel, e-wallet or EMI transactions