ICICI Bank raises card replacement fee, ends free insurance and INOX movie tickets on some cards

ICICI Bank credit card users may have to adjust their budgets and benefits. The bank has changed several card rules: replacing a card will cost more, free insurance on some cards will end, and many customers will no longer get free movie tickets.

The changes will take effect on different dates in November and December 2026. They will not apply to all cards, so cardholders should check which benefit is ending on their card and where they will pay more.

The card replacement fee comes first. If a card is lost, broken or damaged, a replacement currently costs Rs 200 plus GST. From December 11, 2026, the fee will be Rs 300 plus GST, which is Rs 100 more each time a card is replaced. Emeralde Private Metal, 1838 Reserve and Times Black cards are exempt, and their replacement fee will stay unchanged.

Next is the free insurance. Many people do not know that a credit card carries free insurance, which covered air accidents. From December 15, 2026, the bank will withdraw this free cover on some cards, including Emeralde Private Metal, Times Black, Emeralde, Emeralde Private, Diamante, Sapphiro and Rubyx. These cards will no longer offer air accident insurance.

The cancellation-for-any-reason facility will also end. It refunded the money if a flight or hotel booking was cancelled for any reason. It was available on Emeralde Private Metal, Times Black, Emeralde and Emeralde Private cards, and it too will end on December 15. Personal and air accident insurance for users of Parakram and Parakram Select cards will also end on December 15.

Moviegoers are affected as well. From December 15, 2026, ICICI Bank will end free INOX movie tickets on some cards: Rubyx, Coral, Expressions, Chennai Super Kings, MakeMyTrip Platinum, MakeMyTrip Signature, MakeMyTrip, HPCL Super Saver and Emirates Rubyx. Until now these cards gave free tickets. After December 15, cardholders will have to buy tickets themselves, and those used to a free film once a month will pay the full price.

The bank has also changed the fee on international transactions for some business and corporate credit cards. From November 25, 2026, the dynamic currency conversion (DCC) fee on some cards will rise from 1 per cent to 3.50 per cent. The fee is charged when a payment is made in rupees while abroad. On Rs 1 lakh spent abroad, the fee was earlier Rs 1,000 and will now be Rs 3,500. The change applies to Business Black Advantage, Business Blue Advantage, Travel Agent and Business Platinum cards.

Cardholders are advised to check whether their card appears in these lists and to use the free benefits before December 15. They should also keep their card safe, or pay Rs 300 plus GST for a new one after December 11.