Top 5 Best IRCTC Credit Cards India 2025: Railway Rewards & Lounge Access Comparison
The 5 Best IRCTC Credit Cards in India for 2025: Complete Comparison Guide
Are you a frequent train traveler looking to maximize benefits on your railway bookings? IRCTC credit cards offer exceptional value with rewards on train tickets, lounge access, and more. In this comprehensive guide, we'll compare the top IRCTC co-branded credit cards available in India for 2025 to help you choose the perfect travel companion.
1. IRCTC SBI Card Premier Credit Card
Annual Fee: Rs. 1,499 + GST
Renewal Fee: Rs. 1,499 + GST
Annual fee waiver available on spending Rs. 2 lakh in the previous year
Apply for IRCTC SBI Card Premier
Welcome Benefits
- 1,500 reward points bonus after paying the joining fee
Reward Structure
- 10 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on IRCTC tickets
- 5 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on air tickets and e-catering
- 3 Reward Points per Rs. 125 spent on dining and utility bill payments (standing instructions)
- 1 Reward Point per Rs. 125 spent on all other non-fuel retail purchases
Transaction Fee Benefits
- 1% transaction charge waiver on railway ticket bookings
- 1.8% transaction charge waiver on airline ticket bookings
Lounge Access
- 8 complimentary IRCTC Executive Railway Lounge access per year (maximum 2 per quarter)
Milestone Benefits
- 2,500 bonus reward points on achieving Rs. 50,000 travel spends in the previous year
- 5,000 bonus reward points on achieving Rs. 1 lakh spending in an anniversary year
Fuel Benefits
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 4,000
- Maximum waiver capped at Rs. 250 per month
Insurance Coverage
- Complimentary air accident cover of Rs. 50 lakh
- Complimentary rail accident cover of Rs. 10 lakh
- Credit card fraud liability cover of Rs. 1 lakh
2. IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Renewal Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Fee waiver on spending Rs. 1,50,000 or more in a year before renewal date
Apply for IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
Welcome Benefits
- Gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on card activation (requires one transaction of any amount within 37 days of issuance)
Reward Structure
- 5 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
- 1 Reward Point per Rs. 100 spent on all other purchases
- Additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC Bank SmartBuy
Transaction Fee Benefits
- 1% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App transactions
- Maximum waiver of Rs. 1,000 per statement cycle
Lounge Access
- 8 complimentary access to select IRCTC Executive Lounges every year (2 per quarter)
Milestone Benefits
- Gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on quarterly spends of Rs. 30,000 or more (every 90 days from issuance date)
Fuel Benefits
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations across India
- Applicable on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000
- Maximum waiver of Rs. 250 per statement cycle
Additional Features
- Up to 50 days interest-free credit period
- Credit card on UPI functionality (compatible with PayZapp, GPay, PhonePe, Mobikwik, PayTM, BHIM, and Slice)
- Maximum of 500 reward points can be earned monthly on UPI spends
Reward Redemption
- Rs. 99 + GST charge applies on successful points redemption
3. IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Renewal Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Apply for IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
Welcome Benefits
- 500 Reward Points on spending a minimum of Rs. 500 within the first 30 days (credited within 60 days)
Reward Structure
- 5 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on train ticket bookings on IRCTC Website or Mobile App
- 3 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on FASTag Recharge from RBL Bank Digital Channels/NCMC Reload/UTS App
- 2 Reward Points per Rs. 200 spent on flights, hotels, or cruise ticket bookings from IRCTC
- 1 Reward Point per Rs. 200 spent on all other purchases (excluding accelerated categories and restricted transactions)
Transaction Fee Benefits
- 1% waiver on transaction charges for train ticket bookings through IRCTC
- Applicable on transactions up to Rs. 500
- Maximum waiver of Rs. 200 per month
Lounge Access
- 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (2 per quarter)
Insurance Benefits
- Train cancellation cover up to Rs. 5,000
Additional Features
- RuPay-powered card that can be linked to UPI applications (Google Pay, etc.)
4. IRCTC SBI RuPay Credit Card
Annual Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Renewal Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Apply for IRCTC SBI RuPay Credit Card
Welcome Benefits
- 350 bonus Reward Points on card activation
Reward Structure
- Up to 10 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on IRCTC tickets
- 1 Reward Point per Rs. 125 spent on non-fuel retail purchases
Transaction Fee Benefits
- 1% Transaction charge waiver on IRCTC train ticket bookings
Lounge Access
- 4 Complimentary IRCTC Executive Lounge access per year (maximum 1 per quarter)
Fuel Benefits
- 1% Fuel surcharge waiver
Additional Features
- Can be linked to UPI applications like Google Pay, PhonePe, etc.
5. IRCTC RuPay BOBCARD Credit Card
Annual Fee: Rs. 500 + GST
Renewal Fee: Rs. 350 + GST
Apply for IRCTC RuPay BOBCARD Credit Card
Welcome Benefits
- 500 bonus Reward Points on transactions of Rs. 5,000 within the first 60 days of card issuance
Reward Structure
- Up to 40 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on railway tickets through IRCTC website or mobile application
- 4 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on grocery and departmental stores
- 2 Reward Points per Rs. 100 spent on all other categories
Lounge Access
- 4 Complimentary domestic railway lounge access per year (maximum 1 per quarter)
Fuel Benefits
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on all fuel transactions between Rs. 500 to Rs. 3,000
- Maximum waiver capped at Rs. 100 per statement
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is an IRCTC co-branded credit card?
An IRCTC co-branded credit card is a partnership between Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and various banks to offer specialized credit cards with enhanced benefits for train travel, including accelerated rewards on railway bookings, lounge access, and transaction fee waivers.
How do I apply for an IRCTC credit card?
You can apply through the respective bank's website, visit a branch, or click on the links provided in this article. Documentation typically includes ID proof, address proof, income proof, and recent photographs.
What are IRCTC Executive Lounges?
IRCTC Executive Lounges are premium waiting areas at major railway stations offering comfortable seating, refreshments, Wi-Fi, shower facilities, and more. Access is complimentary with IRCTC credit cards (limited visits per year).
How do I redeem reward points earned on my IRCTC credit card?
Reward points can typically be redeemed for train tickets, merchandise, gift vouchers, or statement credit through the respective bank's rewards portal or mobile app.
Do IRCTC credit cards work internationally?
Yes, most IRCTC credit cards can be used for international transactions, but foreign transaction fees may apply. Check with your specific card issuer for details.
Can I link my IRCTC credit card to UPI?
Yes, IRCTC credit cards based on the RuPay network can be linked to UPI applications like Google Pay and PhonePe for convenient digital payments.
How do I avail of the annual fee waiver?
Annual fee waivers are typically based on meeting minimum spending thresholds within the card anniversary year. The specific amounts vary by card (e.g., Rs. 1.5 lakh for HDFC, Rs. 2 lakh for SBI Premier).
Are there any restrictions on earning reward points?
Yes, most cards exclude certain transaction types from earning rewards, including fuel purchases, wallet reloads, cash advances, fee payments, government transactions, and education payments. Check your card's terms for specific exclusions.
What happens to my unused railway lounge access?
Unused lounge access typically does not carry forward to the next quarter or year. Most cards specify a maximum number of visits per quarter (e.g., 2 per quarter for SBI Premier and HDFC).
How is the 1% transaction charge waiver calculated?
The transaction charge waiver is calculated on the booking amount for train tickets purchased through IRCTC. Each card has specific maximum waiver limits per month or billing cycle.
Final Thoughts
IRCTC credit cards offer significant value for train travelers in India, with benefits tailored to enhance your railway journey experience. When choosing the right card, consider your travel frequency, spending patterns, and preferred benefits.
For premium travelers, the IRCTC SBI Card Premier delivers exceptional value despite its higher annual fee. Budget-conscious users might prefer the IRCTC RuPay BOBCARD for its impressive reward rate on railway bookings or the IRCTC SBI RuPay for its solid all-around benefits.
Remember to compare annual fees, reward structures, and additional perks to find the card that best matches your travel needs and spending habits.
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you apply for a credit card through our links, at no extra cost to you.
Disclaimer: Credit card information is accurate as of May 2025 but may change over time. Please verify the latest terms, conditions, and benefits directly with the card issuer before applying.