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IRCTC SBI Card Premier VS HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card

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: 3 July 2026
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card
HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card

Fees & Charges

Joining Fee₹1,499 + GST
Joining Fee₹500 + GST
Renewal Fee₹1,499 + GST
Renewal Fee₹500 + GST
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waived on achieving annual spends of ₹2 Lakhs.
Spend Based WaiverRenewal fee waived if you spend INR 1,50,000 or more in an anniversary year.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% markup on all international transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% of the total transacted amount.
Interest Rate (APR)Monthly interest rate of 3.5% (approx 42% per annum).
Interest Rate (APR)3.75% Per Month (45% Annually) on revolving credit.

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusGet 1500 Reward Points (worth ₹1500) on payment of the first annual fee.
Welcome BonusAmazon voucher worth ₹500 upon activation with first transaction within 37 days.
Rewards RateUp to 10% value back on IRCTC railway bookings. 3 RP/₹125 on dining & utilities. 1 RP/₹125 on other retail.
Rewards Rate5 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on IRCTC, 1 Reward Point for every ₹100 on other retail spends.
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward TypeReward Points
Reward Redemption FeeA fee of ₹99 is applicable per rewards redemption request.
Reward Redemption Fee₹99 + GST.

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary railway lounge accesses annually across India (max 2 per quarter) for primary cardholders.
Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary accesses to select IRCTC Executive Lounges annually (2 per quarter).
International Lounge Access
International Lounge AccessNot Applicable
Travel Benefits8 complimentary railway lounge access annually (max 2/quarter). Waivers on IRCTC railway/airline booking charges.
Travel BenefitsAccelerated rewards on IRCTC bookings, 5% cashback via SmartBuy, 1% transaction charges waiver.
Movie Benefits
Movie BenefitsNot Applicable
Dining BenefitsEarn 3 Reward Points per ₹125 spent on Dining expenses.
Dining BenefitsNot Applicable
Golf Benefits
Golf BenefitsNot Applicable
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500-₹4000 (max ₹250/cycle).
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions (min ₹400, max ₹5000), capped at ₹250/cycle.

Security & Other

Insurance BenefitsComplimentary fraud liability cover of ₹1 lakh & overseas accident cover of ₹50 lakh.
Insurance BenefitsNot Applicable
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of cash advance or ₹500, whichever is higher.
Cash Advance Charges2.5% of cash amount or ₹500, whichever is higher.
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Best valueHigher costHighlights apply to Joining Fee and Renewal Fee only.

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card

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.

Who is it for?

The HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card is tailored for frequent railway travelers, offering substantial benefits for train bookings. Cardholders enjoy accelerated rewards on IRCTC spends, complimentary access to IRCTC Executive Lounges, and an additional 5% cashback on train tickets via HDFC SmartBuy. With a nominal fee that can be waived, this card makes railway travel more rewarding and convenient.

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.

Pros

Key benefits and features.

Provides an Amazon voucher worth ₹500 as a welcome benefit upon card activation.

Earn 5X Reward Points on IRCTC spends and competitive rates on other retail purchases.

Includes complimentary railway lounge access (8 per year, 2 per quarter).

Allows for a spend-based waiver of the annual renewal fee.

Grants an additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC SmartBuy.

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.

Cons

Key drawbacks and limitations.

A minimum of 100 points is required for reward redemption.

Maximum value for reward points is limited to train ticket purchases on HDFC SmartBuy.

A Rewards Redemption Fee of ₹99 + GST applies.

Features a high Foreign Currency Markup of 3.5%.

Carries a high interest rate of 3.75% per month (45% annually) for revolving credit.

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 SBI Card Premier(opens in new tab)Apply for HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card(opens in new tab)