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IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card VS IRCTC SBI Card Premier

A detailed, side-by-side look at 2 leading credit cards. Analyze the features that matter most to you and make an informed choice.
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Last updated: 18 July 2026

Both IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card and IRCTC SBI Card Premier suit travel-focused spenders, but they earn and cost differently. IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card costs ₹500 + GST and earns 2.5% effective reward rate on IRCTC train bookings (5 RP for every ₹200 spent). IRCTC SBI Card Premier costs ₹1,499 + GST and earns up to 10% value back on IRCTC railway bookings. 3 RP/₹125 on dining & utilities. 1 RP/₹125 on other retail. IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card also brings 8 complimentary railway lounge visits annually at select railway stations across India, while IRCTC SBI Card Premier counters with 8 complimentary railway lounge accesses annually across India (max 2 per quarter) for primary cardholders. Weigh the fee against the reward rate above to see which fits your spending pattern better.

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
IRCTC SBI Card Premier

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹500 + GST
Joining Fee₹1,499 + GST
Renewal Fee₹500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹1,499 + GST
Spend Based WaiverNot applicable.
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waived on achieving annual spends of ₹2 Lakhs.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5%
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% markup on all international transactions.
Interest Rate (APR)2.5% to 3.99% Per Month
Interest Rate (APR)Monthly interest rate of 3.5% (approx 42% per annum).

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusEarn 500 Reward Points on spending a minimum of ₹500 within the first 30 days of card issuance.
Welcome BonusGet 1500 Reward Points (worth ₹1500) on payment of the first annual fee.
Rewards RateEarn 5 Reward Points for every ₹200 on IRCTC train bookings (2.5% rate); 1 RP for every ₹200 on other spends.
Rewards RateUp to 10% value back on IRCTC railway bookings. 3 RP/₹125 on dining & utilities. 1 RP/₹125 on other retail.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST
Reward Redemption FeeA fee of ₹99 is applicable per rewards redemption request.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access2 complimentary railway lounge visits each quarter, totaling up to 8 visits each year.
Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary railway lounge accesses annually across India (max 2 per quarter) for primary cardholders.
International Lounge Access
International Lounge Access
Travel BenefitsHigh rewards on IRCTC train bookings, NCMC for public transport, 2 complimentary railway lounge visits/quarter.
Travel Benefits8 complimentary railway lounge access annually (max 2/quarter). Waivers on IRCTC railway/airline booking charges.
Movie Benefits
Movie Benefits
Dining Benefits
Dining BenefitsEarn 3 Reward Points per ₹125 spent on Dining expenses.
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% surcharge waiver.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500-₹4000 (max ₹250/cycle).

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsTrain Cancellation Cover up to ₹5,000 in case your train is cancelled at the last minute.
Insurance BenefitsComplimentary fraud liability cover of ₹1 lakh & overseas accident cover of ₹50 lakh.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of the cash amount or a minimum of ₹500.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of cash advance or ₹500, whichever is higher.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

Who is it for?

The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card is a co-branded offering designed for frequent train travelers and public transport users. It provides a high 2.5% reward rate on IRCTC train bookings and features the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for tap-and-pay convenience. As a RuPay variant, it also supports seamless UPI payments. With a low annual fee, this card is ideal for commuters seeking travel-centric benefits and easy digital transactions.

Who is it for?

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a co-branded credit card from SBI Card and IRCTC, tailored for frequent railway travelers. It offers a welcome bonus of 1,500 Reward Points, accelerated earnings on IRCTC transactions, dining, and utility spends. Cardholders enjoy complimentary railway lounge access and significant savings on railway, flight, and hotel bookings. An annual fee waiver on specific spending milestones further enhances its value, making it a comprehensive choice for travel and lifestyle benefits.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers a high 2.5% reward rate on train ticket bookings through IRCTC, very useful for frequent train travelers.

Features NCMC for tap-and-pay convenience across metros and public transport networks.

Available at a low joining and annual fee of just ₹500 + GST, making it accessible.

Provides complimentary railway lounge access with 8 visits per year for enhanced travel comfort.

The RuPay variant enables convenient and secure UPI payments for daily transactions.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Offers significant savings and rewards for frequent Indian Railways travelers.

Generous 1:1 reward point value, with 1500 bonus points offsetting joining fee.

Enjoy complimentary railway lounge access and waivers on IRCTC booking fees.

Achieve annual fee waiver on spends over Rs. 2 Lakhs, enhancing long-term value.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

Primarily travel-focused, lacking specific benefits for dining, movies, or other common spending categories.

Reward points are not earned on specific categories like fuel, utilities, and certain offline UPI transactions.

A redemption fee of ₹99 + GST is charged for redeeming reward points, which can reduce overall savings.

The annual fee of ₹500 + GST is not eligible for a spend-based waiver, making it a recurring cost.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

A redemption fee of Rs. 99 applies to each reward point redemption request.

High foreign currency markup of 3.5% for all international transactions.

Certain valuable insurance benefits like air/rail accident cover will be discontinued.

A 1% charge is levied on online railway ticket cancellations booked with the card.

How We Compare These Cards

Every comparison on CardsForYou is built from the same verified data set we use across the site - joining and renewal fees, reward rates, forex markup, lounge access, and insurance benefits - sourced directly from each issuer and refreshed regularly. We highlight the lower-cost option on fees automatically, but "best" always depends on your own spending pattern: a card that wins on annual fee may lose on reward rate for a heavy spender, and vice versa. Use the table above alongside your own typical monthly spend to judge real value, not just the headline numbers.

Ready to Choose?

Based on your comparison, select the credit card that best matches your spending habits and financial goals.
Apply for IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card(opens in new tab)Apply for IRCTC SBI Card Premier(opens in new tab)