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IRCTC SBI Card Premier

IRCTC SBI Card Premier

Annual Fee

₹1,499

Rewards/₹100

₹0.80 - ₹2.40

Normalized to balance base rate with bonus categories

Interest Rate

42.00%

Credit Score

750+

At a Glance

Key Benefits

10% IRCTC value back, 8 lounges, fuel waiver, milestones

Lounge Access

8 railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter)

Eligibility

Min income Rs 6 lakh/yr, age 21-60, CIBIL 750+

Quick Analysis

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is an excellent co-branded card for frequent Indian Railways travelers. The 10% value back on IRCTC bookings, combined with 1 RP = Rs 1 redemption value, makes it one of the best cards for train ticket savings. The welcome bonus effectively covers the joining fee, and milestone benefits add up to Rs 7,500 annually. However, the low 0.8% base reward rate and 3.5% forex markup mean it works best as a supplementary card.

Pros

  • Up to 10% value back on IRCTC railway bookings
  • 1 Reward Point = Rs 1 (excellent point value)
  • Welcome bonus offsets joining fee entirely
  • 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year
  • Milestone rewards up to Rs 7,500 annually
  • 1% fuel surcharge waiver
  • Annual fee waiver on Rs 2L spend

Cons

  • Low base reward rate of 0.8% on general spends
  • High forex markup of 3.5%
  • No airport lounge access
  • Air accident and rail accident insurance discontinued from July 2025
  • Reward Points tied to IRCTC loyalty account
  • No concierge or premium lifestyle benefits

Best For

Frequent Indian Railways travelers who book via IRCTC and want to maximize savings on train tickets with value back rewards and railway lounge access.

Not Ideal For

Infrequent train travelers or those who primarily spend on shopping, dining, or international travel. Low base reward and high forex markup.

Quick Details

Annual Fee
₹1,499 #54
Joining Fee
₹1,499 #52
Interest Rate
42.00% p.a. #14
Forex Markup
3.50% #27
Fuel Surcharge Waiver 1.00% (₹500.00-₹4000.00)
Rewards/₹100
₹0.80 - ₹2.40 #14
Reward Type Reward Points
Points Expiry 24 months
Reward Currency Points
Min Credit Score These are observed patterns, not bank-published rules.
750+ #50
Min Annual Income These are observed patterns, not bank-published rules. ₹6,00,000
Network VISA
Card Tier signature
Card Replacement Fee ₹100
Late Payment Fee ₹1,300
Foreign Currency Markup 3.50%
Cheque Return Fee 2.00% (min ₹500)
Reward Redemption Fee ₹99
Rent Payment Fee ₹199 1.00%
Cash Processing Fee ₹250
Statement Retrieval Fee ₹100
EMI Processing Fee 2.00%
Fee Waiver on Spend ₹2,00,000/yr

Card Features

Contactless International Usage EMI Conversion Balance Transfer Add-on Cards

Airport Lounge Access

Custom Free
8

visits per year

Max 2 visits per quarter. Primary cardholder only. Rs 2 charged for card validation. Present card with valid train ticket at participating railway lounges.

Reward Structure

Base

All Spends

₹0.80 /₹100
Cat

Dining

₹2.40 /₹100
Cat

Utility Bills

₹2.40 /₹100
Partner

Travel

₹10.00 /₹100
Partner

Travel

₹5.00 /₹100
Partner

Dining

₹5.00 /₹100
Cat

Online

₹0.80 /₹100
Cat

International

₹0.80 /₹100
Cat

Grocery

₹0.80 /₹100

No Rewards On

Fuel Wallet Loads Rent Payments EMI Transactions

Reward Redemption

Redeem your Reward Points for cashback, travel, and more

Best

IRCTC Ticket Booking

Travel Booking
₹1.00/point

Statement Credit

Cashback / Statement Credit
₹0.25/point

Gift Vouchers via SBI Rewardz

Gift Cards / Vouchers
₹0.25/point

SBI Rewardz Catalogue

Merchandise / Products
₹0.25/point

Milestone Benefits

Welcome Bonus

1500 Reward Points (worth Rs 1,500) on payment of first annual fee

₹1,500

value

Milestone

2,500 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 50,000

Spend ₹50,000 within 365 days

₹2,500

value

Milestone

5,000 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 1,00,000

Spend ₹1,00,000 within 365 days

₹5,000

value

Annual Benefit

Annual fee of Rs 1,499 waived on spending Rs 2 Lakhs in anniversary year

Spend ₹2,00,000 within 365 days

₹1,499

value

Lifestyle Perks

Custom

10.00% off

Up to 10% savings on Hertz car rentals worldwide via Visa Signature

Custom

35.00% off

Up to 35% savings on Avis car rentals via Visa Signature

Custom

Exclusive benefits across 900 luxury hotels worldwide via Visa Signature

Category Rankings

See how this card performs in different spending categories compared to other cards.

Dining #31 /53
2.4000-5.0000 pts/₹100 Top 59%
Grocery #48 /49
0.8000 pts/₹100 Top 98%
International #22 /23
0.8000 pts/₹100 Top 96%
Online #54 /57
0.8000 pts/₹100 Top 95%
Travel #17 /45
5.0000-10.0000 pts/₹100 Top 38%
Utility Bills #21 /41
2.4000 pts/₹100 Top 52%

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a co-branded credit card issued by SBI Card in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Designed specifically for frequent Indian Railways travelers, this card offers up to 10% value back on train ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website and mobile app.

With an annual fee of Rs 1,499 (+ GST), the card provides a welcome bonus of 1,500 Reward Points that effectively offsets the joining cost. The card also features 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year, milestone-based rewards, and a fuel surcharge waiver, making it one of the most value-packed cards for domestic train travelers.

What is IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a Visa Signature credit card that combines railway travel benefits with everyday spending rewards. It is the premium variant of the IRCTC SBI Platinum Card, offering enhanced value back rates and additional perks.

  • Card Network: Visa Signature
  • Card Type: Co-branded travel credit card
  • Issuer: SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited
  • Partner: Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)
  • Annual Fee: Rs 1,499 + GST (waived on Rs 2 Lakh annual spend)
  • Reward Currency: SBI Reward Points (1 RP = Rs 1)

IRCTC Travel Benefits

The primary advantage of this card is the substantial savings on IRCTC bookings:

  • 10% Value Back on AC1, AC2, AC3, Executive Chair Car and Chair Car tickets booked on irctc.co.in and IRCTC Mobile App
  • 5% Value Back on air ticket purchases at air.irctc.co.in
  • 5% Value Back on e-catering purchases at ecatering.irctc.co.in
  • 1% Transaction Charge Waiver on railway ticket bookings on irctc.co.in
  • 1.8% Transaction Charge Waiver on airline ticket bookings on air.irctc.co.in

Railway Lounge Access

Enjoy 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (maximum 2 per quarter) at participating railway lounges across India. Only primary cardholders can avail this benefit. A nominal Rs 2 charge is applied for card validation.

Reward Points on Daily Spends

  • 3 Reward Points per Rs 125 spent on dining and standing instruction utility payments (2.4% value back)
  • 1 Reward Point per Rs 125 on other non-fuel retail purchases (0.8% value back)
  • Fuel transactions do not earn reward points

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Get 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs 500 and Rs 4,000 at all petrol pumps in India. Maximum waiver of Rs 250 per statement cycle.

Visa Signature Privileges

  • Up to 10% savings on Hertz car rentals
  • Up to 35% savings on Avis car rentals
  • Exclusive benefits across 900 luxury hotels worldwide
  • Up to 10,000 miles per night on hotel stays plus 25% extra miles on Kaligo.com

Welcome Benefit

  • Get 1,500 Reward Points (worth Rs 1,500) on payment of the first annual fee
  • Points credited within 45 days of eligible transaction
  • Link your IRCTC loyalty number with your IRCTC login ID to redeem points

Milestone Benefits

  • Rs 50,000 Travel Spend: Earn 2,500 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 50,000 or above
  • Rs 1,00,000 Travel Spend: Earn 5,000 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 1,00,000 or above
  • Eligible travel spends include Travel Agents and Railways MCC categories
  • Reward Points credited within 15 days of achieving spends

Annual Fee Waiver

The renewal fee of Rs 1,499 is waived on spending Rs 2 Lakhs or more in the anniversary year, effectively making the card lifetime free for regular spenders.

Airport Lounge Access

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier provides complimentary railway lounge access across India.

Railway Lounge Access Details

  • Visits: 8 complimentary visits per year
  • Frequency Cap: Maximum 2 visits per quarter
  • Eligible: Primary cardholder only
  • Validation: Rs 2 charged to card for validation
  • Duration: Post 2 hours, the lounge may charge additional fees
  • Requirement: Present card with valid train travel ticket at participating lounges

Note: This card does not provide airport lounge access. For airport lounges, consider upgrading to a card with Priority Pass or DreamFolks membership.

Earning Reward Points

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier operates on the SBI Rewardz program with points transferred to your IRCTC loyalty account. Here is how you earn:

  • IRCTC Bookings: Up to 10% value back on AC class and Chair Car tickets
  • Air Tickets (IRCTC): 5% value back on air.irctc.co.in purchases
  • E-Catering (IRCTC): 5% value back on ecatering.irctc.co.in
  • Dining: 3 Reward Points per Rs 125 spent (2.4% value back)
  • Utility (Standing Instructions): 3 Reward Points per Rs 125 (2.4% value back)
  • Other Retail: 1 Reward Point per Rs 125 (0.8% value back)
  • Fuel: No reward points on fuel transactions

Redeeming Reward Points

1 Reward Point = Rs 1. Points are transferred to your IRCTC loyalty account and can be redeemed on the IRCTC website or Mobile App (Android only). A redemption fee of Rs 99 applies for physical products, statement credits, and physical vouchers via SBI Rewardz. Points expire after 24 months if not redeemed.

Fees & Charges

Fee TypeAmount
Joining FeeRs 1,499 + GST
Annual/Renewal FeeRs 1,499 + GST (waived on Rs 2L annual spend)
Add-on Card FeeNil
Finance ChargesUp to 3.5% per month (42% per annum)
Interest-Free Period20 to 50 days
Late PaymentRs 400 to Rs 1,300 (slab-based)
Cash Advance2.5% or Rs 500, whichever is higher
Over Limit2.5% or Rs 600, whichever is higher
Foreign Currency Transaction3.5%
Card ReplacementRs 100 + GST
Payment Dishonor2% or Rs 500, whichever is higher
Reward RedemptionRs 99 per request (physical products/vouchers)
Rent Payment ProcessingRs 199 + taxes
Cash Payment at SBI BranchRs 250 + taxes
Utility Payment Fee1% if total exceeds Rs 50,000 per billing cycle

Basic Requirements

  • Nationality: Indian resident
  • Age: 21 to 60 years (salaried), up to 65 years (self-employed)
  • Income: Minimum net monthly income of Rs 50,000 (salaried) or annual ITR of Rs 3 Lakh+ (self-employed)
  • Credit Score: CIBIL score of 750 or above recommended

Employment

Both salaried and self-employed individuals are eligible to apply. A stable income source and good credit history are required for approval.

Identity Proof (any one)

  • PAN Card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Voter ID

Address Proof (any one)

  • Aadhaar Card
  • Passport
  • Voter ID
  • Utility Bill (electricity, telephone, gas - not older than 3 months)
  • Driving License

Income Proof (any one)

  • Salaried: Latest salary slips (last 3 months), Form 16, or bank statement showing salary credits
  • Self-Employed: Income Tax Returns (last 2 years), audited financial statements, or business proof

Online Application

  1. Visit the SBI Card website at sbicard.com
  2. Navigate to Travel credit cards and select IRCTC SBI Card Premier
  3. Click on the Apply Now button
  4. Fill in your personal, employment, and financial details
  5. Upload required documents
  6. Submit the application
  7. An SBI Card representative will contact you for verification

Offline Application

Visit the nearest SBI branch or SBI Card office with the required documents to apply in person.

Conclusion

The IRCTC SBI Card Premier is one of the best credit cards for frequent Indian Railways travelers. Its standout feature is the 10% value back on IRCTC ticket bookings, combined with an excellent 1 RP = Rs 1 redemption value. The welcome bonus of 1,500 points effectively covers the joining fee, and milestone benefits can add up to Rs 7,500 in annual rewards.

The 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year, fuel surcharge waiver, and transaction charge savings on IRCTC further enhance the overall value proposition. However, the card has limitations as a daily driver with its low 0.8% base reward rate and 3.5% forex markup. For travelers who spend Rs 2 Lakhs or more annually, the card becomes effectively free with the fee waiver, making it an excellent supplementary card alongside a general-purpose rewards card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the joining fee for IRCTC SBI Card Premier?
The joining fee is Rs 1,499 + GST. You receive 1,500 Reward Points (worth Rs 1,500) on payment of the first annual fee, effectively offsetting the joining cost.
What is the annual fee and how can I get it waived?
The annual/renewal fee is Rs 1,499 + GST per year. It can be waived by spending Rs 2 Lakhs or more in the anniversary year.
How do I earn reward points on IRCTC bookings?
You earn up to 10% value back as Reward Points on AC1, AC2, AC3, Executive Chair Car and Chair Car ticket purchases on irctc.co.in and IRCTC Mobile App. You also get 5% value back on air tickets via air.irctc.co.in and 5% on e-catering via ecatering.irctc.co.in.
What is the base reward rate for non-IRCTC spends?
You earn 1 Reward Point per Rs 125 spent on other non-fuel retail purchases. For dining and standing instruction utility spends, you earn 3 Reward Points per Rs 125 spent.
What is the value of 1 Reward Point?
1 Reward Point equals Rs 1 when redeemed on IRCTC. Reward Points can be redeemed via the IRCTC website or mobile app (Android only) by linking your IRCTC loyalty number.
What are the milestone benefits?
You earn 2,500 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 50,000 and 5,000 Reward Points on annual travel spends of Rs 1,00,000. Eligible travel spends include Travel Agents and Railways MCC categories.
How many railway lounge visits do I get?
You get 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (maximum 2 per quarter) at participating railway lounges across India. Only primary cardholders can avail this benefit. Rs 2 is charged for card validation.
What is the fuel surcharge waiver?
You get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs 500 and Rs 4,000 at all petrol pumps in India. The maximum waiver is Rs 250 per statement cycle. GST and other charges are excluded.
What is the forex markup fee?
A foreign currency transaction fee of 3.5% is charged on all international transactions. The exchange rate is determined by Visa on the settlement date.
What insurance coverage does the card provide?
The card provides a fraud liability cover of Rs 1 Lakh (covering 48 hours prior to loss reporting till 7 days after). Note: Air accident cover (Rs 50L) and rail accident cover (Rs 10L) have been discontinued from 26th July 2025.
What are the eligibility criteria?
You must be an Indian resident aged 21-60 years (salaried) or up to 65 years (self-employed). A minimum net monthly income of Rs 50,000 and a CIBIL score of 750+ is recommended for approval.
What documents are required to apply?
You need identity proof (PAN card, Aadhaar, Passport), address proof (Aadhaar, utility bill, Passport), and income proof (salary slips, Form 16, ITR for self-employed).
Is there an add-on card facility?
Yes, add-on cards are available at no additional annual fee. You can apply for add-on cards for your parents, spouse, children or siblings above 18 years of age.
What is the interest rate on unpaid balance?
The finance charge is up to 3.5% per month (42% per annum) from the transaction date. The interest-free credit period is 20-50 days if you pay the full balance by the due date.
How do I save on IRCTC transaction charges?
You save 1% on transaction charges when booking railway tickets on irctc.co.in and 1.8% on airline ticket bookings on air.irctc.co.in. Note: If you cancel a railway ticket, 1% of the refund amount will be debited to your card.
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Pawan Khatri
Reviewed by

Pawan Khatri

Founder

Pawan is the founder of CardNitty, with years of experience in personal finance and credit card optimization. He is passionate about helping consumers make smarter financial decisions.

Last updated: 1 February 2026

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