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Side-by-Side Comparison|Updated March 2026

IRCTC SBI Card vs IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

Detailed comparison of fees, rewards, benefits, and value to help you choose the right credit card for your spending pattern.

SBI Card

IRCTC SBI Card

7/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards0.8%
NetworkVisa
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HDFC Bank

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

8.5/10
Annual Fee₹500
Base Rewards1%
NetworkRuPay
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Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureIRCTC SBI CardIRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
Annual Fee₹500₹500
Joining Fee₹500₹500
Fee Waiver SpendN/A₹1,50,000
Base Reward Rate0.8%1%
Reward CurrencyReward PointHDFC Reward Points
NetworkVisaRuPay
Editor Rating7/108.5/10
Forex Markup3.5%3.5%

Accelerated Rewards

IRCTC SBI Card

No accelerated rewards listed

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

  • 5% on IRCTC Website/App
  • 5% on SmartBuy IRCTC Bookings

Pros & Cons

IRCTC SBI Card

Pros

  • 10% value back on AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC train ticket bookings via IRCTC
  • 1% transaction charge waiver on railway ticket bookings made through the IRCTC website
  • 4 complimentary railway lounge access per year (1 per quarter) at participating stations
  • Reward points can be redeemed 1:1 for booking train tickets on the IRCTC platform

Cons

  • Very low base reward rate of 1 point per ₹125 (approx. 0.8% value)
  • No airport lounge access; benefits are strictly limited to railway travel
  • No spend-based annual fee waiver available for this variant

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

Pros

  • 5% value back as Reward Points on IRCTC website and Rail Connect app bookings.
  • Additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC Bank SmartBuy.
  • 8 complimentary IRCTC Executive Lounge visits per year (capped at 2 per quarter).
  • 1:1 reward redemption ratio (1 RP = ₹1) specifically for train ticket bookings.

Cons

  • Reward points are primarily valuable only for train ticket redemptions.
  • Monthly capping of 1,000 Reward Points on accelerated categories.
  • No rewards on fuel, wallet loads, rent, and government transactions.

Our Verdict

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, IRCTC SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.

Choose IRCTC SBI Card if

High value back on AC class train tickets and complimentary railway lounge access.

Choose IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card if

High value back on IRCTC bookings and access to railway executive lounges.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better: IRCTC SBI Card or IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card edges ahead overall with a stronger combination of rewards and value. However, IRCTC SBI Card could be the better pick if its specific category strengths match your spending habits.
What is the annual fee difference between IRCTC SBI Card and IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
IRCTC SBI Card has an annual fee of ₹500, while IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card has an annual fee of ₹500. IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card offers a fee waiver on ₹1,50,000 annual spend.
Which card has better rewards: IRCTC SBI Card or IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
IRCTC SBI Card offers a base reward rate of 0.8%. IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card offers 1% base rewards with bonuses on IRCTC Website/App and SmartBuy IRCTC Bookings. The better choice depends on your primary spending categories.
Can I have both IRCTC SBI Card and IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
Yes, many users hold multiple credit cards to maximize rewards across different spending categories. IRCTC SBI Card and IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card can complement each other if they cover different reward categories.
Which card is better for beginners: IRCTC SBI Card or IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card?
For beginners, IRCTC SBI Card may be more approachable with a lower annual fee of ₹500. However, evaluate based on your expected spending pattern rather than fee alone.

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