SBI IRCTC Premier vs Scapia Federal
Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.
Quick Verdict
Scapia Federal Credit Card wins 4 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.7/10 vs 8.3/10.
| Feature | SBI IRCTC Premier | Scapia Federal |
|---|---|---|
| CardTrail Score | 8.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Annual Fee | ₹1,499 | Free |
| Base Reward Rate | 1% | 10% |
| Max Reward Rate | 10% | 10% |
| Forex Markup | 3.5% | Zero |
| Domestic Lounges | 8 | -1 |
| International Lounges | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | Yes | Yes |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
When to Choose SBI IRCTC Premier
- You can meet the fee waiver condition: Rs.2 lakh annual spend
- Airport lounge access matters — 8 domestic visits
- Your primary spend is: travel, railways
When to Choose Scapia Federal
- You want a lifetime free card with zero annual cost
- You travel internationally — saves ₹3,500/year on ₹1L forex spend
- Your primary spend is: forex, travel, beginner
Forex Cost Comparison
On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: SBI IRCTC Premier costs ₹4,130 in forex fees vs Scapia Federal at ₹0. You save ₹4,130/year with Scapia Federal.
Annual Fee Value Analysis
To break even on SBI IRCTC Premier's ₹1,499 fee at 1% rewards, spend ₹12,492/month.
Scapia Federal is lifetime free — no break-even needed.