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IRCTC SBI Card Premier VS IRCTC SBI Platinum 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: 21 July 2026
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
IRCTC SBI Platinum Card
IRCTC SBI Platinum 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 Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver (Rs. 500-3000, max Rs. 100/cycle) and 1% IRCTC transaction charge waiver.
Foreign Transaction Fees3.5% markup on all international transactions.
Foreign Transaction Fees
Interest Rate (APR)Monthly interest rate of 3.5% (approx 42% per annum).
Interest Rate (APR)

Rewards & Benefits

Welcome BonusGet 1500 Reward Points (worth ₹1500) on payment of the first annual fee.
Welcome BonusGet 350 activation bonus Reward Points on a single transaction of Rs. 500 or more within 60 days.
Rewards RateUp to 10% value back on IRCTC railway bookings. 3 RP/₹125 on dining & utilities. 1 RP/₹125 on other retail.
Rewards RateEarn up to 10% value back on IRCTC bookings and 1 Reward Point per Rs. 125 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

Travel & Lifestyle

Domestic Lounge Access8 complimentary railway lounge accesses annually across India (max 2 per quarter) for primary cardholders.
Domestic Lounge Access4 complimentary railway lounge access in a year in India (maximum 1 per quarter) for primary cardholders.
International Lounge Access
International Lounge Access
Travel Benefits8 complimentary railway lounge access annually (max 2/quarter). Waivers on IRCTC railway/airline booking charges.
Travel BenefitsBook airline tickets and tailor-made travel packages via IRCTC; save 1% transaction charges on railway bookings.
Movie Benefits
Movie Benefits
Dining BenefitsEarn 3 Reward Points per ₹125 spent on Dining expenses.
Dining Benefits
Golf Benefits
Golf Benefits
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% waiver on fuel transactions between ₹500-₹4000 (max ₹250/cycle).
Fuel Surcharge Waiver1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000, with a maximum waiver of Rs. 100 per statement cycle.

Security & Other

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

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

IRCTC SBI Platinum 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 IRCTC SBI Platinum Card, issued by SBI Card, is a travel-centric credit card designed for frequent railway travelers. It offers significant value back on IRCTC ticket bookings, complimentary railway lounge access, and a fuel surcharge waiver, making it a rewarding option for those who frequently use Indian Railways.

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.

High value back on IRCTC bookings, making it ideal for frequent train travelers.

Enjoy complimentary railway lounge access, enhancing your travel comfort and experience.

Benefit from a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, saving money on your regular fuel expenses.

Earn valuable reward points on all non-fuel retail purchases, redeemable on IRCTC.

Get 1% transaction charge waiver on railway ticket bookings via IRCTC website.

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.

The card's primary benefits are highly specific to IRCTC, limiting broader utility.

Reward points are mainly redeemable on IRCTC, offering limited redemption flexibility.

A 1% charge is debited for railway ticket cancellations, which can add to costs.

The fuel surcharge waiver is capped at Rs. 100 per month, limiting potential savings.

No international lounge access or significant global travel benefits beyond acceptance.

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 IRCTC SBI Platinum Card(opens in new tab)