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ICICI Bank has announced a series of significant changes to its credit card benefits and charges, which will come into effect from February 1, 2026. These updates will impact a wide range of cardholders, especially those who frequently use their cards for entertainment, transportation, insurance payments, online gaming, and digital wallet transactions. While some existing benefits will continue, several popular perks are either being withdrawn or will become more expensive.

Here is a detailed breakdown of what is changing and what credit card users should be prepared for.

Free Movie Ticket Benefit to Be Discontinued

One of the most notable changes is the discontinuation of complimentary movie ticket benefits on BookMyShow. ICICI Bank has confirmed that select credit cards will no longer offer free or discounted movie tickets from February 1, 2026.

Cardholders who earlier enjoyed monthly or periodic movie ticket offers on platforms like BookMyShow will now have to pay the full ticket price. This change affects multiple cards, including some popular entry-level and mid-range options.

Changes in Reward Points on Transport Spending

ICICI Bank is also introducing new monthly caps on reward points earned from transport-related expenses. These expenses include payments made for cabs, metro rides, railway tickets, and other transport services.

• Premium credit cards such as Emeralde, Sapphiro, and Rubyx will earn reward points only on transport spending up to ₹20,000 per month.

• Regular and mid-segment cards will be eligible for reward points on transport expenses up to ₹10,000 per month.

Any spending beyond these limits will not earn reward points, which may reduce overall benefits for frequent travelers.

Insurance Payments: Relief for Select Cardholders

There is some positive news for users of the ICICI Bank HPCL Super Saver Credit Card. The bank has confirmed that reward points on insurance premium payments up to ₹40,000 will continue as before. No reduction or cap has been introduced in this category, offering relief to customers who regularly pay insurance premiums using this card.

Online Gaming Transactions to Attract Higher Charges

Online gaming enthusiasts will need to be cautious. ICICI Bank has introduced a 2% charge on transactions made on online gaming platforms, effective January 15, 2026. This includes platforms such as Dream11, MPL, Rummy Culture, and similar gaming services.

The bank has also clarified that this charge will apply to any new gaming platforms introduced in the future. This move is aimed at discouraging high-risk digital transactions and managing associated costs.

Wallet Loading to Become Costlier

Loading money into third-party digital wallets using ICICI Bank credit cards will also become more expensive. From February 1, 2026:

• A 1% fee will be charged on wallet loads of ₹5,000 or more.

• This applies to popular wallets such as Paytm, Amazon Pay, PhonePe, MobiKwik, Freecharge, and OlaMoney.

This change could impact users who rely on credit cards for frequent wallet top-ups to manage daily expenses.

Additional Charges on High Transport Spending

ICICI Bank has also introduced a new charge for customers with very high transport expenses. If a cardholder spends more than ₹50,000 in a month under the transport category, a 1% fee will be applied on the amount exceeding this limit.

This change primarily affects users who frequently book travel or commute using credit cards.

What Credit Card Users Should Keep in Mind

With these changes, several long-standing benefits are being reduced or withdrawn. Reward point limits are now more clearly defined, and charges on digital, gaming, and wallet-related transactions are increasing. Customers who use their credit cards extensively should carefully review the updated terms and conditions of their specific card.

Understanding these changes will help users avoid unexpected charges and make smarter spending decisions.

Conclusion

The new ICICI Bank credit card rules mark a shift towards tighter controls on rewards and higher fees on select categories. While some benefits remain intact, many popular perks—such as free movie tickets and unlimited reward points on transport—are being scaled back.

Cardholders are advised to reassess their spending patterns and explore whether their current card continues to meet their needs after these changes take effect.