IRCTC HDFC Bank vs SBI IRCTC Premier
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
SBI IRCTC Premier Credit Card wins 2 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.3/10 vs 8.2/10.
| Feature | IRCTC HDFC Bank | SBI IRCTC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 8.2/10 | 8.3/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹500 | ₹1,499 |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 1% |
| Max Reward Rate | 5% | 10% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Domestic Lounges | 8 | 8 |
| International Lounges | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
When to Choose IRCTC HDFC Bank
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Renewal fee waived on spends of Rs.1.5 lakhs or more in the last anniversary year
- Your primary spend is: train-travel, railways
When to Choose SBI IRCTC Premier
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Rs.2 lakh annual spend
- You want higher rewards — up to 10% vs 5%
- Your primary spend is: travel, railways
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on IRCTC HDFC Bank's ₹500 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹4,167/month.
To break even on SBI IRCTC Premier's ₹1,499 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹12,492/month.