IRCTC SBI Card Premier: Fees and Charges

Summary

Overall, the IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a convenient credit card for regular train travel. It leverages the credibility of SBI and the extensive reach of IRCTC to provide benefits that make traveling by train convenient, cheaper, and rewarding.

Firstly, this card provides up to 10% value back on bookings of IRCTC train tickets using reward points. Secondly, card members also get 4 free railway lounge visits per year, improving comfort for delayed or long travel. More importantly, customers get reward points on railway bookings and also on normal transactions, thus enabling them to save more.

Besides, the card also comes with a welcome bonus, waiver of fuel surcharge, and travel insurance, so it is something more than a travel card. The card comes with a contactless payment facility, which facilitates faster and secure payments. Also, it comes with global acceptance, so you can use it both in India and abroad.

Introduction

In today’s fast-paced age, credit cards are a useful financial instrument to maintain day-to-day expenses within limits and treat oneself with premium rewards. Among the myriad of credit cards in India, the IRCTC SBI Card Premier is one of the highly sought-after cards for regular travelers of Indian Railways. It is a co-branded credit card that was launched by the State Bank of India (SBI) in partnership with IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). I

Above all, the IRCTC SBI Card Premier offers many advantages such as cashback on online railway reservations through the IRCTC website or mobile app, reward points on every purchase, and discounts on meals and vacation packages. Moreover, cardholders also get free lounge usage at some of the railway stations and airports, making the travel even more comfortable.

However, before availing the IRCTC SBI Card Premier, it’s highly important to be familiar with its fees. Similar to any other credit card, it also has some fees that customers need to be aware of. These fees include the membership charge, annual renewal fee, interest charges on pending amounts, delayed payment charges, and foreign transactions fees etc.

Also, a comparison between the fees the card charges and the value of the fit will help in making an informed decision. For example, the reward points earned on railway ticket prices, the welcome offers, and the exemption from service charges at times can balance the annual fee if you travel a lot. As an added advantage, SBI also provides facilities to waive or reduce charges under specific circumstances, which can come in handy if you are a persistent spender.

What is the IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

IRCTC SBI Card Premier is a unique credit card provided by the State Bank of India (SBI) jointly with IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation). It has been designed exclusively for people who travel by train regularly in India. One is provided with numerous travel benefits like concession on train fares, reward points, and amenities in railway lounges by this card.

To begin with, the card helps you save money each time you buy train tickets online through the IRCTC website or mobile application. You earn reward points for every transaction, which can be exchanged for free tickets or other benefits. The card also offers discounts on IRCTC tourism packages, flight bookings, and restaurants.

How is the design of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

The appearance of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier is modern, trendy, and travel-centric. The card has a sleek appearance at first glance with a black color scheme and the IRCTC and SBI Card logos clearly printed at the front. It also has a travel-centric, sleek picture of a train, which makes its travel theme more distinct. It is visible easily, especially among those who mostly book railway tickets through it.

Also, the card is made from durable material and has a chip embedded in it for secure transactions. Like most credit cards of the modern era, this one also supports contactless payments that allow you to tap and pay without inserting the card. This not only saves time but also helps maintain the security of the card in public spaces like train stations.

What are the benefits of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

Let’s take these advantages one after another, in plain language and easy-to-understand points:

1. Reward Points on Every Transaction

• Firstly, this card provides you with reward points every time you shop or pay using it.

• You earn 10 reward points on every ₹100 spent on IRCTC train ticket reservations.

• You also earn 2 reward points on every ₹100 spent on all other transactions (excluding fuel, rent, wallet recharges, etc.).

• You can subsequently utilize these points to buy train tickets or exchange them for another reward.

2. Railway Ticket Discount

• By booking train tickets online or on the app using this card.

• You receive a discount on a 1% transaction fee.

• And equivalent uto p to 10% as reward points back.

• This way, the more you travel, the greater the savings!

3. Lounge Access for Free

This card allows you 4 free visits a year (1 per quarter) to railway lounges at major stations throughout India.

You can enjoy:

• Free refreshments
• Comfortable seating facilities
• Wi-Fi and entertainment
• Clean toilets
• This becomes a lot simpler while waiting for your train.

4. IRCTC Tourism Package Discount

You also get special offers on IRCTC tourism and travel packages like holiday bookings, hotels, and flights booked via the IRCTC portal.

5. Welcome Benefit

As a welcome gift, bonus reward points of ₹1,500 or more are given to you when you pay the membership fee and start using the card.

6. Waiver of Fuel Surcharge

You get a 1% waiver of fuel surcharge on fuel transactions of ₹500 to ₹3,000 at Indian petrol pumps (capped at ₹100/month).

7. Add-on Card Facility

You may buy add-on cards for your family members (like spouse, parents, or children above the age of 18 years), and they will enjoy the same benefits.

What are the fees for the IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

Here is a simple breakdown of the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier fees.

Joining Fee	Rs. 1,499 + GST
Annual Fee	Rs. 1,499 + GST
Add-on Card Fee	No charges for additional cards for family members.
Finance Charges	If you don’t pay your bill in full, a 3.5% per month (42% annually) charge is applied to the outstanding balance.
Cash Advance Fee	2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher.
Late Payment Fee	For Statement Balance Less than Rs. 101 – Nil Rs. 101 – Rs. 500 – Rs. 150 Rs. 501 – Rs. 5,000 – Rs. 500 Rs. 5,001 – Rs. 20,000 – Rs. 750 Rs. 20,000 & above – Rs. 1,000

What are the criteria for getting an IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

1. Age Requirement:

• You should be between 18 and 65 years of age.

2. Income Requirement:

• Salaried Applicants: The minimum net monthly income is required; however, the bank fixes the amount, which can differ based on the applicant’s profile.

• Self-Employed Applicants: A minimum ITR amount is needed; the bank fixes the specific amount and can differ with applicants.

3. Employment Status:

• You should have a regular job or business with a fixed income source.

4. Credit Score:

• A CIBIL score of 700 and above is preferred for sanction.

5. Residency:

• You should be an Indian resident and have proof of a valid address.

What documents are required to get an IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

The documents that you will have to submit to get an IRCTC SBI Card Premier are as below:

Identity Proof	Aadhaar card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving license, PAN card
Address Proof	Utility bills like electricity, water, etcRent agreement, Bank statement, or passbook with your address
Income Proof	Salary slip for the last 3 months, if you are a salaried employeeBank statement for the last 3 monthsITR for self-employed persons
Photograph	The latest passport-sized photograph

Where can the IRCTC SBI Card Premier be used?

Here is the list of places where you can use it:

• With the IRCTC SBI Card Premier, you can shop for clothing, electronics, accessories, and more at almost every retail outlet, shopping mall, and e-shopping website.

• You can also use it on websites like Amazon, Flipkart, etc., and also make bookings on websites like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, etc.

• You can use the card to pay for your meals in restaurants, cafes, and fast food outlets.

• You can use it to book flight, train, or bus tickets, as well as to pay for taxi, Uber, Ola, or hotel bookings.

• You can use your credit card to pay electricity and water bills, mobile bills, and internet services.

• You can use your  IRCTC SBI Card Premier to pay for expensive items such as electronics or appliances through easy monthly installments (EMIs).

• The  IRCTC SBI Card Premier is also accepted in other countries, where you can make purchases and payments. It is also accepted wherever Visa is accepted.

What is the credit limit of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

The credit amount you can spend is what you are provided to you with an IRCTC SBI Card Premier. It is based on your income, credit score, and other financial history when you are selected for this credit card by the bank.

For instance, if you have a credit limit of ₹50,000, you can spend up to that amount only. If you want to spend more than the limit, the bank will not consider it.

The actual credit limit varies with the person. A credit limit could be ₹30,000 for someone and ₹1,00,000 for another, or even more, considering his/her profile and financial background.

It’s essential to follow the expenses and not exceed the credit limit because when you pass this limit, then penalties get added, and your credit score also goes down.

How do you apply for an IRCTC SBI Card Premier?

Apply it through both these modes: 

Online Application Process:

• Visit the official website of the SBI Bank, i.e. 

• Go to ‘Cards’, followed by ‘Credit Cards’.

• On that page, you can see numerous options for credit cards issued by SBI Bank; for instance, you can choose the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier.

• Just hover your cursor on the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier and select ‘Apply Now‘ from there.

• You will be asked to fill out your details, including your name, contact information, income details, and employment status.

• Be accurate and updated with the information provided.

• You are required to upload documents like your identity proof, address proof, income proof, and photograph, as per the list of documents mentioned above.

• After filling out the details and uploading the documents, review your application to make sure everything is correct.

• Apply online through the application form.

• The bank will check your application after you submit it. They can ask for extra documents or information if required.

• You will be informed about the status of your application, and if approved, your card will be delivered to you.

Offline Application Process:

• You can walk into the nearest SBI Bank branch to apply for the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier.

• Request for the credit card application form of the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier. They will provide you with the form and proceed accordingly.

• Fill in the details in the application form wherever it is required. Care should be taken to ensure that all the information about personal details, income, and jobs provided by the applicant is correct.

• Along with the form, furnish the relevant documents. The list of documents includes Identity proof, Address proof, Proof of income, and a passport photograph.

• Your application will be processed, and your information will be cross-checked at the bank level.

• In case of successful completion, the bank will sanction the credit card with a reply and forward it to the registered address.

• You will receive the  IRCTC SBI Card Premier by post at the same postal address.

• Once you receive your card, you need to activate it by following the instructions given in the envelope, either through the SBI Bank Card website, mobile app, or by calling their customer service.

• You must set your PIN (Personal Identification Number) for security purposes before you can start using your credit card.

Would getting an IRCTC SBI Card Premier in 2025 be right?

Yes, getting an IRCTC SBI Card Premier in 2025 can be a good option if you require a credit card with great offers, especially for those who shop for lifestyle products. The reward is excellent and comes with the purchase of items such as jewelry. The bank also provides discounts and easy access to the EMI facility. 

SBI Bank is also a strong bank with high customer service, so it is dependable. But don’t forget that you should ensure you can handle your credit responsibly in terms of paying the bills and keeping your credit from exceeding its limit. Provided that you are stable in terms of income and you have good credit, it might be a very good option in 2025.

Conclusion

Into, the IRCTT SBI Card Premier is a superb credit card that provides immense value, especially for people who travel by train often in India. From the very start, this card has been launched with Indian Railways travelers in mind. Not only does it make your journey easier but also saves money through multiple discounts and reward points.

To begin with, the card provides great travel rewards such as up to 10% value back on railway bookings, free lounge access, and priority discounts on IRCTC holiday packages. These benefits all contribute to making the experience of traveling by train a better one for regular travelers. Additionally, the reward point system is such that whenever you spend, you earn something in return, which you can utilize subsequently to book tickets or shop.

Apart from that, the card also provides a fuel surcharge waiver, insurance benefits, and global acceptance, making it not only effective for traveling by train but also useful for daily expenses. Whether purchasing shopping, food, or booking flights under IRCTC, this card makes one eligible to utilize it significantly. Include the fact that even with such a small amount of transaction, you benefit from having instant and secure payment using the tap-and-pay feature of the card without needing to employ swipe-and-sign or enter the PIN to authorize an item.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)