The SBI IRCTC RuPay Credit Card is built for people who travel by train in AC classes. Book AC1, AC2, AC3, Chair Car or Executive Chair tickets on IRCTC and you get 10% back as reward points, plus a 1% waiver on IRCTC’s transaction charge. Because it runs on RuPay, it also works with UPI for everyday payments.
How the rewards work
| What you do | What you get |
|---|---|
| AC1, AC2, AC3, Chair Car, Executive Chair on IRCTC | 10% back as reward points |
| Other retail spends | 1 point per ₹125 (~0.8%) |
| Welcome bonus | 350 points on first spend of ₹500+ within 45 days |
| Renewal bonus | 500 points on paying the renewal fee |
| IRCTC transaction charge | 1% waiver on e-ticket bookings |
What you would actually earn
Say you book ₹3,000 of AC train tickets a month. That earns about ₹300 a month in reward points, or ₹3,600 a year, plus a 1% saving on the transaction charge. Add ₹10,000 a month of other spends at about 0.8%, worth roughly ₹960 a year, and the 500 renewal points, and the card returns several times its ₹500 + GST fee.
SBI IRCTC RuPay vs RBL Bank IRCTC
| SBI IRCTC RuPay | RBL IRCTC | |
|---|---|---|
| Train bookings | 10% on AC classes | 5 points per ₹200 (~2.5%) |
| Other spends | ~0.8% | Varies by category |
| Lounge visits | 4 a year | 8 a year |
| Network | RuPay (UPI-enabled) | Not stated |
| Annual fee | ₹500 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
| First credit card? | Allowed for salaried | Not allowed |
Pick SBI if you mainly book AC tickets and want the higher return, or if this is your first card. Pick RBL if railway lounge access matters more to you.
Other benefits
- Railway lounges: 4 complimentary visits a year, 1 per quarter.
- Fuel: 1% surcharge waiver on ₹500–₹3,000 transactions, up to ₹100 a month.
- RuPay and UPI: pay via UPI and use RuPay and UPI offers.
Fees and charges
| Annual fee | ₹500 + GST (partly offset by 350 welcome points) |
|---|---|
| Renewal fee | ₹500 + GST from the second year (offset by 500 renewal points) |
Eligibility
| Age | 21 to 65 years |
|---|---|
| Employment | Salaried or self-employed |
| Minimum income | ₹30,000 a month |
| Credit score | 650+ with no delayed payments in the last 12 months |
| First credit card? | Allowed for salaried applicants only |
Documents you will need
- Identity: PAN card (or Form 60)
- Address: Aadhaar, passport or a recent utility bill
- Income: latest salary slips or bank statements
- Photo: a recent passport-size photograph
How to apply
- Tap Apply on SBI Card site on this page to open SBI Card’s secure application.
- Fill in the form in the same session with your Aadhaar-linked mobile number, keeping your PAN handy.
- Complete e-KYC or video KYC from your current address when asked.
- Once your card arrives, activate it with a first transaction within 30 days, and spend ₹500 or more within 45 days for the welcome points.
Who should get it, and who shouldn’t
Get it if you take AC trains regularly and book on IRCTC, and want a low-cost RuPay card you can also use on UPI.
Skip it if you travel mostly by air or in sleeper class. Its everyday rate is low, so a general cashback card will earn more.
