SBI IRCTC Credit Card: Benefits, Eligibility & Apply

Traveling by train in India is not just a simple journey but an experience deeply connected to our culture and lifestyle. Indian Railways, one of the largest rail networks in the world, not only connects every corner of the country but is also a means of transporting millions of people to their destinations every year. Keeping this in mind, the State Bank of India (SBI) and IRCTC (Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation), a subsidiary of Indian Railways, have jointly introduced a special credit card – which is (SBI) IRCTC Credit Card.

This credit card is a boon for those passengers who travel by train regularly and want to save on travel expenses. Through this credit card, not only can you make your journey more comfortable and convenient, but by using it you can also earn many better benefits and reward points.

In today’s article, we will tell you in detail what is (SBI) an IRCTC Credit Card. What are its benefits? What are the eligibility criteria to get (SBI) IRCTC Credit Card? How to apply for (SBI) IRCTC Credit Card? We will discuss all these topics in detail in this article. So read this article till the end so that you do not face any problems later.

What is the SBI IRCTC Credit Card?

SBI IRCTC Credit Card is a special credit card issuing in collaboration with the State Bank of India (SBI) and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). The main purpose of this credit card is to provide facilities to those customers who frequently travel through Indian Railways. This credit card not only makes rail travel more economical but also provides various benefits and facilities during the journey.

What are the benefits of taking an SBI IRCTC Credit Card?

Let us get detail information about the benefits of the SBI IRCTC Credit Card, which are as follows:

• Under the SBI IRCTC Credit Card, 350 reward points are issued to the cardholder as a welcome bonus reward benefit on making a minimum transaction of ₹500 apart from fuel and cash transactions within 45 days of receiving the credit card.

• ₹100 is received as cashback on activation of the cash withdrawal facility from the card within 30 days of receiving the SBI IRCTC Credit Card.

• Bonus reward is credited within 45 days of the transaction under the offer.

• 1 reward point (₹1) is available for every ₹125 for all retail expenses including ticket booking expenses made from IRCTC (website and app) with SBI IRCTC Credit Card.

• Fuel expenses, cash withdrawals, balance transfers, EMI payments, and fees do not qualify for reward benefits.

• Reward points are transferring to the monthly IRCTC Rewards Membership Account.

• SBI IRCTC Credit Card entitles the cardholder to 4 complimentary Domestic Railway Lounge Access annually.

• Lounge access with IRCTC Credit Card can be availed by the primary cardholder a maximum of 1 time per quarter.

• Up to 10% value back in the form of reward points is available on booking of Chair Car, Executive Chair Car, and all class AC tickets from rctc.co.in or IRCTC mobile app.

• To redeem these reward points on irctc.co.in, SBI IRCTC Credit Card Loyalty Number needs to be linked to the IRCTC login ID.

• SBI IRCTC Credit Card offers fuel surcharge waiver (up to 1%) on every transaction ranging from ₹500 to ₹3000.

• Maximum limit of SBI IRCTC Credit Card fuel surcharge waiver – Up to ₹100 per billing cycle.

What are the lounge benefits of the IRCTC Credit Card?

Here are the main lounge-related benefits in simple terms:

• Cardholders can enjoy free entry to select airport lounges across India. This means you can relax in a comfortable space with amenities like snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi while waiting for your flight.

• The card typically provides access to 2 complimentary lounge visits annually. Some versions of the card may offer more, depending on the type of card you hold.

• Cardholders get priority access to lounges, which can be especially helpful during busy travel times when there are a lot of crowds.

• You can access lounges at major domestic airports in India. This makes your travel experience more relaxing and convenient.

What are the reward benefits of the SBI IRCTC Credit Card?

Here are the key rewards in simple words:

• You earn reward points for every purchase made on the card, especially when you book tickets through IRCTC. For example, you get more points when booking train tickets, hotel bookings, or IRCTC services.

• If you use the card for bookings on the IRCTC website, you can earn bonus reward points. This is great for regular travelers.

• You also earn reward points on everyday purchases like shopping, dining, and other bills, although these may not be as high as for IRCTC-related spending.

• The points you earn can be redeemed for free IRCTC train tickets, hotel stays, or discounts on travel bookings.

• When you first get the card, you may receive bonus reward points or discounts as part of a welcome offer.

What are the fees of IRCTC Credit Card?

Here’s a simple breakdown:

Annual Fee	There is an annual fee for the card, which is usually around ₹500 to ₹1,000. This fee is charged every year for using the card. Some versions of the card may have a lower fee or may waive it if you spend a certain amount.
Joining Fee	When you first get the card, there may be a joining fee, typically around ₹500 to ₹1,000. This is a one-time fee when you apply for the card.
Interest Charges	If you do not pay the full bill amount on time, the card will charge interest on the unpaid balance. The interest rate can be around 3-3.5% per month (or around 36% per year).
Late Payment Fee	If you miss the payment due date, you may be charged a late payment fee. The amount can vary based on your outstanding balance.
Cash Withdrawal Fee	If you use the card to withdraw cash from an ATM, there will be a fee, and interest will also be charged on the withdrawn amount from the day of withdrawal.

What are the eligibility criteria to get an IRCTC Credit Card?

The following are the criteria for SBI IRCTC Credit Card:

• You must be an Indian citizen to get an SBI IRCTC Credit Card.

• Your age should be between 18 to 65 years.

• You must have a source of income.

• Your credit score should also be good.

What are the necessary documents requiring to get an IRCTC Credit Card?

Proof of Identity	PAN Card, Aadhar Card, Driving License, Passport, Voter ID Card etc.
Proof of Address	Aadhar Card, Driving License, Passport, Bills older than 3 months, Ration Card, etc.
Proof of Income	One or two salary slips (not older than 3 months), the latest Form 16, the last 3 months’ bank statement, etc.

How to apply online for SBI IRCTC Credit Card?

Here’s how you can apply online for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card in simple steps:

• Open your web browser and go to the official SBI Card website.

• Look for the SBI IRCTC Credit Card under the “Credit Cards” section or search for it using the search bar.

• Once you find the SBI IRCTC Credit Card page, click on the “Apply Now” button.

• You will be asked to fill out an online form with your details like your name, address, phone number, email, and income details.

• You may need to upload some documents for verification, like your ID proof, address proof, and income proof (like salary slips or bank statements).

• Double-check all the information you’ve entered and the documents you’ve uploaded.

• After everything is filled out correctly, click on the submit button to send your application.

• SBI will review your application, and if everything is fine, you will get a response (approval or rejection). If approved, your card will be sending to your address.

How to redeem reward points of an IRCTC Credit Card?

Here’s how you can do it:

• Go to the SBI Card website or open the SBI Card mobile app on your phone.

• Once logged in, find the “Rewards” or “Redeem Rewards” section. This is where you can see how many points you have earned.

• You can use your points to redeem rewards like free train tickets, hotel bookings, or discounts on travel bookings through IRCTC. Select the reward you want.

• Depending on what you want to redeem, you can select how many points you want to use for the reward. The system will show you how many points are needing for each reward.

• Once you’ve selected your reward and points, confirm your choice. You may need to enter some details like your IRCTC account number to complete the redemption process.

• After redeeming, you will receive your reward (like a train ticket or discount) as per the terms of the offer.

How to check the SBI IRCTC Credit Card application status online?

follow these simple steps:

• Go to the official SBI Card website on your browser.

• On the homepage, look for a link or option that says “Track Your Application” or something similar.

• You will be asked to provide details like your application reference number (which you got when you applied) or your mobile number. Enter the required information.

• After entering your details, click on the “Submit” button. Your application status will appear on the screen, showing whether it’s approving, pending, or rejected.

Conclusion

The SBI IRCTC Credit Card is a great choice for frequent travelers who book train tickets frequently through IRCTC. Benefits include reward points on travel bookings, free access to airport lounges, and discounts on travel-related expenses. You can redeem your rewards for tickets, hotel stays, and other travel-related offers, adding convenience and savings.

It is also easy to apply for the card online, and you can check the status of your application at any time. For frequent travelers, the card’s benefits far outweigh its costs, such as annual fees and interest charges for late payments.

Your travels can be more affordable and enjoyable with the SBI IRCTC Credit Card, whether you’re booking train tickets, staying at hotels, or simply making everyday purchases. Those who want to enhance their travel experience can take advantage of its user-friendly application process and great rewards program.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)