If you frequently book train tickets through IRCTC, the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card deserves a closer look. Cardholders can earn up to 10% value back on eligible AC train ticket bookings, receive 8 complimentary railway lounge visits every year, enjoy welcome rewards worth ₹1,500 and unlock milestone bonus Reward Points.
The card is clearly designed for railway travellers rather than everyday spending. While it delivers strong value on IRCTC bookings, its rewards on regular retail transactions are relatively modest. If most of your travel is by train, it can be a worthwhile addition to your wallet, but it is unlikely to replace a general-purpose rewards or travel credit card.
In this review, we’ll break down the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card’s fees, reward rates, railway lounge access, milestone benefits, exclusions, and overall value to help you decide if it’s the right card for your travel needs.
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card Key Highlights
| Joining Fee | ₹1499 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹1499 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | ₹2 lakh annual spends |
| Welcome Benefit | 1500 Reward Points |
| Best Reward | Up to 10% value back on AC train bookings |
| IRCTC Air | 5% value back |
| Railway Lounge Access | 8 visits/year (2 per quarter) |
| Milestone Benefits | Up to 7500 bonus Reward Points |
| Railway Transaction Fee | 1% waiver |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver |
| Best For | Frequent IRCTC train travellers |
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card Fees & Charges
| Joining Fee | ₹1499 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 1500 Reward Points ~₹1500 |
| Annual Fee | ₹1499 + GST |
| Annual Fee Waiver | Annual spends of ₹2 lakh or more |
| Add-on Card Fee | Nil |
At ₹1,499 + GST, the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card sits in the mid-premium segment. The annual fee is waived on ₹2 lakh of eligible annual spends.
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card Reward Points
The IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card is built around railway travel, and that’s where it delivers its highest returns. AC train ticket bookings through IRCTC earn the maximum rewards, while IRCTC Air and eCatering bookings also receive accelerated earnings. Outside the IRCTC ecosystem, however, the reward rate drops sharply, making it better suited for railway bookings than everyday spending.
| Spend Category | Reward Rate |
|---|---|
| IRCTC AC Train Ticket Bookings | Up to 10% value back |
| IRCTC Air Bookings | 5% value back |
| IRCTC eCatering | 5% value back |
| Dining & Standing Instructions on Utility Bills | 3 Reward Points per ₹125 ~2.4% |
| Other Eligible Retail Spends | 1 Reward Point per ₹125 ~0.8% |
| Exclusions | No Reward Points on fuel, utility bill payments (except Standing Instructions), insurance, education, government, rent, wallet loads |
Reward Points earned on the card are automatically credited to your linked IRCTC Loyalty Account, where each Reward Point is worth ₹1 when redeemed for eligible IRCTC bookings.
To earn up to 10% value back on AC train ticket bookings, the primary cardholder must be included as one of the passengers on the reservation. For group bookings, the accelerated rewards are calculated on the total booking value, including the fares of all co-travellers, provided the cardholder is travelling on the same ticket. This makes the card particularly rewarding for families and travellers who regularly book tickets for multiple passengers.
If train travel forms a significant part of your annual spending, the accelerated rewards can easily justify using this card for IRCTC bookings. For everyday expenses, though, there are several cashback and travel credit cards that offer a much better return, so the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card works best as a specialised companion card rather than your primary spending card.
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card Milestone Benefits
The IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card offers bonus Reward Points on eligible travel spends, allowing frequent travellers to earn additional rewards over and above the regular Reward Points. SBI Card maintains a list of MCCs that are eligible for this benefit. Most of the travel related MCCs including travel agents, airlines, are eligible as per the list.
| Eligible Annual Travel Spend | Milestone Benefit |
|---|---|
| ₹50,000 | 2500 Reward Points |
| ₹1 Lakh | Additional 5000 Reward Points |
| ₹2 Lakh | Annual fee waiver on renewal |
A cardholder can earn up to 7500 bonus Reward Points in a year by achieving both travel spend milestones. Since each Reward Point is worth up to ₹1 for eligible IRCTC bookings, the milestone rewards alone can be worth as much as ₹7500.
Only eligible travel spends are considered for these milestones. Regular retail transactions and excluded categories such as fuel, rent, education, government payments and wallet loads do not count towards the milestone benefits.
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card Railway Lounge Access
The IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card includes 8 complimentary railway lounge visits every calendar year, with a maximum of 2 visits per quarter. Access is available only to the primary cardholder at participating IRCTC Executive Lounges upon presenting a valid train ticket and the credit card. A nominal ₹2 authorization charge is levied to validate the card for complimentary access.
Unlike airport lounges, railway lounges are available only at select stations. If you frequently travel through these stations, the lounge benefit can easily recover a part of the card’s annual fee.
| Complimentary Visits | 8 per calendar year |
| Quarterly Limit | 2 visits per quarter |
| Eligible Cardholder | Primary cardholder only |
| Authentication Charge | ₹2 per visit |
| Access Requirement | Valid train ticket and the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card |
Participating Railway Lounges
The complimentary benefit is currently available at participating IRCTC Executive Lounges, including:
- New Delhi
- Ahmedabad
- Agra Cantt
- Madurai
- Varanasi
- Sealdah (Kolkata)
- Jaipur
- Visakhapatnam
- Vijayawada
- Tirupati
- Chennai Central
Travel Benefits
| Benefit | Details |
|---|---|
| Railway Booking Transaction Charge Waiver | 1% waiver on train tickets booked through IRCTC |
| IRCTC Air Transaction Charge Waiver | 1.8% waiver on flight bookings made through IRCTC Air |
| Eligible Platforms | www.irctc.co.in, IRCTC Rail Connect App and www.air.irctc.co.in |
The railway transaction charge waiver is credited back to the card account after the transaction is processed. If a railway ticket is cancelled, 1% of the refunded amount is charged back to the card, effectively reversing the earlier benefit on the cancelled booking. Similarly, the 1.8% waiver on flight bookings applies only to tickets booked directly through the IRCTC Air portal and not through partner websites or third-party travel platforms.
Reward Redemption
Reward Points are automatically transferred to your linked IRCTC Loyalty Account, where each Reward Point is worth ₹1 towards eligible train ticket bookings. Unlike most SBI Cards, there is no separate redemption process through the SBI Card rewards portal.
| Redemption Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Reward Point Value | ₹1 per Reward Point |
| Credited To | Linked IRCTC Loyalty Account |
| Transfer of Reward Points | Automatic |
| Redemption | Eligible IRCTC train ticket bookings |
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Up to 10% value back on eligible AC train ticket bookings through IRCTC.
- Reward Points are automatically credited to the linked IRCTC Loyalty Account, with each point worth ₹1 on eligible train ticket bookings.
- 8 complimentary railway lounge visits every calendar year.
- Up to 7,500 bonus Reward Points on achieving eligible travel spend milestones.
- Annual fee waiver on ₹2 lakh eligible annual spends.
- 1% railway transaction charge waiver and 1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC Air bookings.
Cons
- Average reward rate on regular retail spending.
- Reward Points are largely restricted to the IRCTC ecosystem.
- No airport lounge access.
- Accelerated rewards and milestone benefits are subject to eligibility conditions and excluded categories.
Who Should Get the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card?
The IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card is best suited for travellers who regularly book AC train tickets through IRCTC. The combination of accelerated rewards, ₹1 per Reward Point redemption value, railway lounge access, and milestone benefits can easily offset the annual fee if a significant portion of your travel is by rail.
It’s also a good choice for families, as eligible group bookings earn accelerated rewards on the entire booking value, provided the primary cardholder is one of the passengers.
On the other hand, if you travel more frequently by air or want a card for everyday spending, there are better alternatives that offer more flexible rewards, lower forex charges, and airport lounge access.
Final Verdict
If train travel is a regular part of your routine, the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card is one of the most rewarding railway credit cards available today. Higher rewards on IRCTC bookings, ₹1 per Reward Point redemption value and railway lounge access make it easy to justify the annual fee. Outside the IRCTC ecosystem, however, the card offers little reason to remain your primary credit card, making it a better companion card than an everyday spender.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card worth it?
If you regularly book AC train tickets through IRCTC, the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card is one of the better options available. Higher rewards on railway bookings, ₹1 per Reward Point redemption, railway lounge access and milestone benefits can comfortably offset the annual fee.
What is the annual fee of the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card?
The card has a joining fee and annual fee of ₹1499 + GST. The renewal fee is waived on ₹2 lakh of eligible annual spends.
How much is one Reward Point worth?
Each Reward Point is worth ₹1 and is automatically credited to your linked IRCTC Loyalty Account, where it can be redeemed for eligible IRCTC train ticket bookings.
Does the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card offer airport lounge access?
No. The card does not offer airport lounge access. Instead, it provides 8 complimentary visits every calendar year to participating IRCTC Executive and railway lounges.
Does the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card earn rewards on Tatkal bookings?
Yes. Eligible Tatkal bookings made through IRCTC earn Reward Points, provided the booking satisfies the applicable reward terms and the primary cardholder is travelling on the ticket.
Can I earn rewards when booking train tickets for my family?
Yes. If the primary cardholder is one of the passengers, accelerated rewards are calculated on the total booking amount, including the fares of all co-travellers.
What transactions do not earn Reward Points?
Reward Points are not awarded on transactions such as fuel, rent, education, insurance, government payments, wallet loads and other excluded categories specified by SBI Card.
What is the forex markup on the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card?
The card charges a forex markup of 3.5% + GST, making it better suited for domestic railway travel than international spending.
Who should apply for the IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card?
The card is best suited for frequent train travellers who book through IRCTC and can make use of the higher railway rewards, ₹1 per Reward Point redemption value, railway lounge access and milestone benefits.
Which is better: IRCTC SBI Premier or HDFC IRCTC Credit Card?
The IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card offers higher rewards, railway lounge access and milestone benefits, making it a better choice for frequent railway travellers. The HDFC IRCTC Credit Card is a lower-fee alternative for occasional users.
IRCTC SBI Premier Credit Card
https://www.sbicard.com/sbi-card-en/assets/docs/pdf/ekit-tncs/IRCTCPremiertnc.pdf
MITC says upto 10% and SBI Nodal says this card also has no round the year 10% points.
Utterly confused.
Does premier offer 10% cashback throughout the year or does it offer 4% & 10% cashback in different months?
It is 10% cashback throughout the year.
I asked SBI Card regarding this and escalated it to nodal, and this was their reply:
“We would like to reiterate that IRCTC SBI Credit Card Reward Points entitlement are based on date of travel.
4 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent
(Valid on tickets with Date of Travel between April 1 – July 14 and September 16 – January 14)
10 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent
(Valid on tickets with Date of Travel between January 15 – March 31 and July 15 – September 15)
With reference to further benefits on IRCTC Premier card, please refer: https://www.sbicard.com/en/personal/credit-cards/travel/irctc-premier-card.page”
Are you really sure if it’s 10% throughout the year?
The email refers to IRCTC SBI Credit Card which is the lower variant, not the Premier variant. You can check with them regarding the IRCTC Premier card or also check the T&C document.
Thanks a lot for the clarification. Your comments helps me solve a lot of mysteries on this issue. Even though I escalated it to Nodal, they kept iterating that there is no 10% cashback throughout the year. But the document t&c you send, made it pretty clear that there is no such conditions of differential cashback and it’s 10% cashback throughout the year. Thank you!
Does IRCTC PREMIER has the same reward rate as IRCTC Platinum? As in irctc platinum, we get different reward rate in different quarter for train bookings. Could you please confirm? Thanks!
No, this 10% cashback is valid for the entire year.
Does SBI Premier also has condition of “Different reward rate for different months”, like seen in Sbi platinum irctc?
Also, what are the other major difference between premier and platinum? Thanks!
No, the Premier card does not have that condition. Premier gets better rewards and milestone benefits than the Platinum card.