HDFC Bank has entered the IRCTC co-branded credit card segment with the launch of the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card on the RuPay network. This makes HDFC Bank the third major issuer to partner with IRCTC after SBI Card and Bank of Baroda.
With multiple IRCTC credit cards now available, frequent train travelers have more options than before. But that also makes choosing the right card more confusing. Reward rates, railway benefits, lounge access, annual fees and overall value can vary significantly between cards.
The IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card aims to attract users with accelerated rewards on train bookings, RuPay UPI compatibility and travel-focused benefits. But does it offer better value than the IRCTC SBI Card Premier or the Bank of Baroda IRCTC Credit Card?
In this article, we break down the features, rewards, charges and benefits of the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card and compare it with other popular IRCTC cards to help you decide which one is worth getting in 2026.
Fees
| Charges | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹500 + GST (~₹590) |
| Welcome Benefit | ₹500 gift voucher on first transaction within 37 days of card issuance |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 + GST (~₹590) |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Spend ₹1.5 lakh in a membership year |
The IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card comes with a joining and annual fee of ₹500 plus GST. This puts it in the same price segment as the IRCTC SBI Platinum and IRCTC BoB Credit Card.
The good part is that the joining fee is effectively recovered through the ₹500 welcome gift voucher. HDFC Bank also offers an annual fee waiver on spends of ₹1.5 lakh in a membership year, which is reasonably achievable for regular card users.
Rewards
| Spend Category | Rewards |
|---|---|
| IRCTC Train Ticket Bookings | 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent (~5% value back) |
| Train Ticket Bookings via HDFC SmartBuy | Additional 5% cashback |
| Other Retail Spends | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent (~1% value back) |
| UPI Spends via RuPay | 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent |
| Fuel, Wallet Loads, Rent, Government Transactions, Education Payments | No Rewards |
The reward structure is better than the IRCTC SBI Platinum and IRCTC BoB cards for train bookings. You effectively get around 10% total value on SmartBuy train ticket bookings when the extra cashback is included. 1 Reward Point equals ₹1 for train ticket redemption through SmartBuy. Most entry-level travel cards do not offer this kind of direct redemption value.
Another advantage is RuPay UPI rewards. Competing IRCTC cards still feel limited outside railway spends, while this card works better for daily transactions too. The downside is the weak base reward rate. At ~1%, cards like SBI Cashback or HDFC Millennia can offer better value on regular online spending.
Milestone Benefits
HDFC Bank offers a ₹500 gift voucher on spends of ₹30,000 every calendar quarter. At the spend threshold, this adds another ~1.6% in value. When combined with the base IRCTC rewards and SmartBuy cashback, the effective return on train bookings becomes one of the highest in the entry-level travel card segment.
Complimentary IRCTC Railway Lounge Access
The IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 8 complimentary railway lounge visits every year, with a limit of 2 visits per quarter. Access is available at select IRCTC Executive Lounges across major railway stations in India.
This is one of the better railway lounge programs in the entry-level credit card segment. Most competing IRCTC cards like the IRCTC SBI Platinum and IRCTC BoB Card offer only 4 visits per year.
Currently, lounge access is available at select stations including New Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Ahmedabad, Sealdah Kolkata, Madurai and Varanasi. HDFC Bank may revise the lounge list over time, so users should verify the latest eligible lounges before travel. For frequent train travelers, this benefit alone can offset a large part of the annual fee, especially if you regularly travel through railway stations with IRCTC Executive Lounges.
Rewards Redemption
The redemption value is one of the biggest strengths of this card. Each reward point on the IRCTC HDFC card is worth ₹1 when redeemed through HDFC SmartBuy. Reward Points are valid for 2 years and a minimum of 100 points is required for redemption.
We can use Reward Points for up to 70% of the ticket value, including IRCTC service charges. The remaining amount must be paid using the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card.
Partial redemption is also supported through the Points + Pay option. A minimum of 100 Reward Points is required for redemption.
Unlike the IRCTC SBI and Bank of Baroda cards, where rewards are credited to the IRCTC loyalty account, HDFC allows direct redemption through SmartBuy. This gives cardholders more flexibility and a straightforward ₹1 per point redemption value.
A redemption fee of ₹99 + GST applies on successful redemptions.
Other Key Benefits & Charges
- Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5000, with a maximum waiver of ₹250 per statement cycle.
- Foreign Currency Markup: 3.5%+GST
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Up to 10% value on train ticket bookings
- Reward Points worth ₹1 per point
- 8 complimentary railway lounge visits per year
- Rewards on RuPay UPI transactions
Cons
- 3.5% forex markup fee
- Average rewards on regular spending
- No rewards on fuel, rent and government payments
- ₹99 + GST reward redemption fee
Conclusion: Should You Get the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
If you’re looking for the best IRCTC credit card, the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card is hard to ignore.
It offers stronger rewards on train bookings than most competing railway cards. The benefits are available across all ticket classes, including Sleeper Class. Add the SmartBuy cashback, quarterly milestone bonus and railway lounge access, and the overall value becomes even better.
For most train travelers, the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card is a better pick than the IRCTC SBI Platinum Card and Bank of Baroda IRCTC Credit Card. If train bookings make up a significant part of your spending, this is the IRCTC credit card we would recommend in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card worth it?
If you book train tickets regularly, yes. The card offers strong rewards on IRCTC bookings, railway lounge access and rewards on RuPay UPI spends.
How much can I save on train ticket bookings with the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
You earn 5 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on IRCTC bookings. HDFC also offers an additional 5% cashback on eligible train bookings made through SmartBuy.
How many railway lounge visits are offered?
You get 8 complimentary railway lounge visits every year, limited to 2 visits per quarter.
Does the card earn rewards on UPI payments?
Yes. Eligible RuPay UPI transactions earn 1 Reward Point per ₹100 spent.
Can I redeem Reward Points for train ticket bookings?
Yes. Reward Points can be redeemed for train ticket bookings through HDFC SmartBuy at a value of ₹1 per point. A minimum of 100 points is required and up to 70% of the ticket value can be paid using points.
What is the annual fee of the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
The annual fee is ₹500 plus GST. It is waived on annual spends of ₹1.5 lakh.
Is the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card good for international spending?
No. The card charges a forex markup of 3.5% plus GST, making it less suitable for international spending than low-forex credit cards.
IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card