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SBI Card · Visa Signature · हिन्दी

IRCTC SBI Card Premier: full review

The IRCTC SBI Premier is the step-up from IRCTC SBI Platinum with double the railway lounge visits, higher milestone benefits and rail accident insurance. The welcome bonus offsets the ₹1,499 joining fee entirely. If you travel by train frequently and value lounge comfort, this is better value than the Platinum at minimal extra cost.

Apply now ↗Annual fee: ₹1,499 + taxes
Last updated: October 2026 · Current terms verified
SBI CARD
VISA
)))
IRCTC PREMIER
ASHOK KUMAR
12/28
₹1,499 + taxes (waived on ₹2,00,000/year spend; 1,500 RP welcome bonus = ₹1,500 offsets joining fee)Annual fee
10% value back on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 5% on IRCTC air tickets; 2.4% on dining and utility; 0.8% baseReward structure
8 railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter)Lounge access

Key benefits of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier

10% value back on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets via IRCTC website or app1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC bookings5% value back on air tickets via air.irctc.co.in2.4% on dining and utility bill payments (3 RP per ₹125)0.8% on all other retail spends (1 RP per ₹125)1 RP = ₹1 redeemable for IRCTC bookings1,500 welcome RP on joining fee payment (= ₹1,500 IRCTC credit, offsets joining fee)8 complimentary railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter)5,000 milestone bonus RP on ₹50,000 + ₹1,00,000 annual spend (₹7,500 total IRCTC value)Rail accident insurance cover up to ₹10 lakhAnnual fee waived on ₹2L spend
Apply now ↗ Min. income: ₹25,000/month (salaried) · Credit score: 750+
Pros and cons
Pros
✓ Welcome RP offsets joining fee entirely, effectively free in Year 1
✓ 8 railway lounge visits vs 4 on Platinum, better comfort for frequent travellers
✓ Rail accident insurance up to ₹10L is meaningful for train travellers
✓ 5% on IRCTC air tickets makes it useful for domestic flyers too
Cons
✗ Rewards redeemable only on IRCTC bookings, no flexibility
✗ 3.5% forex, poor for international travel
✗ No airport lounge access, only railway lounges
✗ Low 0.8% on general spends
Quick facts
Issuer SBI Card
Network Visa Signature
Annual feeThe yearly fee a bank charges for holding the card, often waived if you spend enough in a year.Full definition → ₹1,499 + taxes (waived on ₹2,00,000/year spend; 1,500 RP welcome bonus = ₹1,500 offsets joining fee)
Joining feeA one-time fee charged when you first get the card, separate from the recurring annual fee.Full definition → ₹1,499
Lounge accessFree entry to airport lounges, usually limited to a set number of visits per quarter or year.Full definition → 8 railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter)
Forex markupThe extra fee your bank adds on top of the real exchange rate for any spend in a foreign currency.Full definition → 3.5%
Min. incomeThe minimum income, credit score, and other conditions a bank requires before approving your application.Full definition → ₹25,000/month (salaried)
Min. credit scoreYour 3-digit credit score (300-900), higher scores make approval easier and can unlock better cards.Full definition → 750+
SourceSBI Card's published card terms and official card page · Last updated October 2026
Recent updates

Corrected how we count travel: the 10% value back only applies to AC train tickets booked on IRCTC, but our maths applied it to all travel spend, including flights and hotels. Travel now earns the card's base 0.8%; the higher rate is still listed in the card's rewards.

Travel rate in our maths10% on all travel0.8% (10% still applies to AC train tickets booked on IRCTC)
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Frequently asked questions
The annual fee for IRCTC SBI Card Premier is ₹1,499 + taxes (waived on ₹2,00,000/year spend; 1,500 RP welcome bonus = ₹1,500 offsets joining fee). The joining fee is ₹1,499.
The main benefits of the IRCTC SBI Card Premier are: 10% value back on AC1, AC2, AC3 and Chair Car tickets via IRCTC website or app; 1.8% transaction charge waiver on IRCTC bookings; 5% value back on air tickets via air.irctc.co.in; 2.4% on dining and utility bill payments (3 RP per ₹125); 0.8% on all other retail spends (1 RP per ₹125); 1 RP = ₹1 redeemable for IRCTC bookings; 1,500 welcome RP on joining fee payment (= ₹1,500 IRCTC credit, offsets joining fee); 8 complimentary railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter); 5,000 milestone bonus RP on ₹50,000 + ₹1,00,000 annual spend (₹7,500 total IRCTC value); Rail accident insurance cover up to ₹10 lakh; Annual fee waived on ₹2L spend.
10% value back on AC train tickets via IRCTC; 5% on IRCTC air tickets; 2.4% on dining and utility; 0.8% base
IRCTC SBI Card Premier is best for Frequent train and air travellers who book via IRCTC and want lounge access. The IRCTC SBI Premier is the step-up from IRCTC SBI Platinum with double the railway lounge visits, higher milestone benefits and rail accident insurance. The welcome bonus offsets the ₹1,499 joining fee entirely. If you travel by train frequently and value lounge comfort, this is better value than the Platinum at minimal extra cost.
The minimum income requirement for IRCTC SBI Card Premier is ₹25,000/month (salaried). A minimum credit score of 750+ is also recommended.
Yes, IRCTC SBI Card Premier offers 8 railway lounge visits/year (2 per quarter).
IRCTC SBI Card Premier charges a 3.5% foreign currency markup on international transactions. This is in line with the standard 3.5% charged by most Indian credit cards.
Related guides
Best Travel Credit Cards →Best Premium Credit Cards →Best Super Premium Credit Cards →Best Credit Cards for International Travel →Best Airline Credit Cards →
Card reviews
IDFC FIRST Ashva Credit CardFrequent travellers who book hotels and flights through the IDFC FIRST Bank app specifically, where the real redemption value is highest; weak for everyday spending outside the appAxis Bank Select Credit CardHigher spenders (₹6L+ income) who will spend ₹3L+ a year, want international lounge access through Priority Pass with 12 visits, and want a 2% earn rate on everyday retail spendsAxis Bank Privilege Credit CardModerate-to-high spenders in the ₹6-15L income range who will hit the lounge spend gate every quarter and want a simple, uncapped reward rate without chasing accelerated categoriesRBL Bank IRCTC Credit CardFrequent IRCTC train travellers who will use the railway lounges and want cancellation protection, not a general-purpose rewards card
Compare with similar cards
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IRCTC SBI Card Premier₹1,499 + taxes
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