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IRCTC SBI Card
The IRCTC SBI Card is a niche, purpose-built RuPay card for people who book train tickets on IRCTC regularly and want the transaction surcharge removed rather than a broad rewards program. It earns 1 point per ₹125 spent everywhere, redeemable 1:1 for cash value or against IRCTC fares, with a low entry-level fee that's easily waived on modest annual spend. It's not designed to compete as a general-purpose card — the value is concentrated almost entirely in the IRCTC fee waiver.
Annual fee
₹500
Joining fee
₹500
Reward type
points
Base reward rate
0.8%
Card network
RuPay
Card tier
Entry
Who this card fits
Best suited to applicants with a credit score of roughly 680+ whose spend is concentrated in travel. It's worth the annual fee mainly if your points value clears it.
Rewards & benefits
- Rewards rate: 0.8% base rate
- Domestic lounge access: 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (max 1 per quarter), primary cardholder only
Benefits by category
- ✈️ Travel
10% reward rate · 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (max 1 per quarter), primary cardholder only
- ⛽ Fuel
1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, max Rs. 100 per statement cycle
- 🌍 Forex / international spend
3.5% forex markup on international transactions
Eligibility
- Minimum credit score: 680
- Minimum monthly income: ₹18,000
- Employment: salaried, self-employed
- Age: 21–60
Fees & charges
- Rewards redemption fee: ₹99 + applicable taxes per redemption request when reward points are redeemed for statement credit, gift vouchers or physical products, charged once per batch regardless of how many items are redeemed in it.
- Foreign currency markup: 3.5%
- Interest rate: 42% p.a.
- Fuel surcharge waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, max Rs. 100 per statement cycle
- Cash advance charges: 2.5% of the withdrawn amount or ₹300 (whichever is higher) at domestic ATMs, and 3% or ₹300 (whichever is higher) internationally; cash advances earn no reward points and carry no interest-free grace period.
Benefits
- 350 bonus Reward Points on a single transaction of Rs. 500 or more within 60 days of card issuance
- Up to 10% value back as Reward Points on IRCTC train tickets (AC1, AC2, AC3, Executive Chair Car, Chair Car) via IRCTC app and website
- 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (max 1 per quarter), primary cardholder only
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between Rs. 500 and Rs. 3,000, max Rs. 100 per statement cycle
Pros
- + Up to 10% value back as points on IRCTC train tickets
- + 4 complimentary railway lounge visits a year
- + Low Rs. 500 joining and annual fee
- + RuPay network works with UPI-linked credit card payments
- + 350 bonus points on the first transaction within 60 days
Cons
- − Base reward of 1 point per Rs. 125 is modest for everyday spend
- − Fuel spends earn no reward points
- − Above-average forex markup rules it out for international spends
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