The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card is a co-branded product launched by SBI Cards in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Tailored specifically for frequent train travelers, this card offers benefits that revolve around train bookings, reward points, and travel perks—all while being an affordable entry-level credit card.

Let’s explore its features, advantages, drawbacks, and whether it’s the right fit for you.

1. Overview

The IRCTC Platinum Credit Card is aimed at individuals who frequently book train tickets online through IRCTC. It offers reward points on AC class ticket bookings, savings on transaction charges, and access to railway lounges across the country. Issued on the Visa platform, this card is widely accepted at both domestic and international merchants.

2. Fees and Initial Benefits

Joining Fee: ₹500 + applicable GST
Annual Renewal Fee: ₹500 + GST (usually ₹590 with taxes)
Welcome Bonus: Get 350 reward points by making a single purchase of ₹500 or more within 45 days of card activation.
ATM Cashback: ₹100 cashback when you make your first ATM withdrawal within 30 days of card issuance.
Annual Milestone Bonus: Earn 500 bonus reward points on renewal if the annual fee is paid.

These benefits largely offset the upfront cost, making it easy to recover the fee with just moderate use.

3. Reward Program

A. Train Ticket Bookings on IRCTC

When you book AC-class train tickets (1A, 2A, 3A, CC, or EC) through IRCTC’s website or app and pay with your SBI IRCTC Platinum Card, you receive:

Up to 10% value back in reward points on the base fare.
The percentage of rewards earned depends on the time of year:

4% between April 1–July 14 and September 16–January 14
10% from January 15–March 31 and July 15–September 15

B. General Spending

For every ₹125 spent on non-fuel retail purchases, you earn 1 reward point.
The effective return on general spending is approximately 0.8%.

C. IRCTC Transaction Charge Waiver

Booking train tickets on IRCTC using this card waives the 1% transaction or convenience fee, offering direct savings.

D. Fuel Surcharge Waiver

1% fuel surcharge is waived on transactions ranging from ₹500 to ₹3,000.
Maximum waiver of ₹100 per statement cycle.

4. Travel and Lifestyle Benefits

A. Complimentary Lounge Access

Cardholders receive four free railway lounge visits per year, with a cap of one visit per quarter. These lounges offer:

Comfortable seating
Free meals and beverages
Wi-Fi access
Newspapers and magazines

Participating lounges include major stations like Delhi, Kolkata (Sealdah), Jaipur, Agra, and Ahmedabad.

B. EMI and Credit Flexibility

Flexipay: Allows you to convert purchases of ₹2,500 or more into monthly EMIs within 30 days of the transaction.
Balance Transfer: You can transfer the outstanding amount from another card to your SBI card and repay at a lower interest rate.
Easy Money: Borrow against your credit limit and receive funds via cheque or NEFT.

C. Add-on Cards

You can request additional cards for family members above 18 years old, enabling them to enjoy similar benefits.

D. Insurance Coverage

Comes with a ₹10 lakh accident insurance cover in case of a rail accident, provided you were traveling with a valid ticket.

5. Charges and Interest

Fee Type	Amount
Joining Fee	₹500 + GST
Annual Fee	₹500 + GST
Interest Rate	Around 3.35% per month or 40.2% annually
Late Payment Charges	₹0 to ₹1,300 depending on balance due
Cash Advance Fee	2.5% (minimum ₹300) for domestic withdrawals
Foreign Transaction Fee	Around 3.5%

Due to relatively high interest rates, it's best to pay off your dues in full every month to avoid unnecessary charges.

6. Who Should Consider This Card?

Best For:

Frequent train travelers booking AC class tickets.
Those who want added perks like lounge access, fee waivers, and EMI options.
Users seeking a low annual fee card with specialized travel benefits.

Not Ideal For:

Users who don’t travel by train often.
Those looking for high cashback or rewards on groceries, fuel, or online shopping.
Anyone unwilling to deal with occasional tech glitches during booking or reward redemption.

7. User Feedback: What Real Customers Say

Many users praise the card for the high value it offers on IRCTC bookings, especially during high reward periods. Some even manage to offset the annual fee within just a few trips.

However, there are also common complaints, including:

Points not being credited after eligible bookings.
Difficulty linking the card’s loyalty account with the IRCTC profile.
Customer service challenges with both SBI and IRCTC, especially when it comes to resolving reward-related issues.

Despite these issues, persistent users often get resolutions and continue to enjoy the card’s benefits.

8. Pros and Cons

Pros

Up to 10% reward on AC train bookings.
Waiver of IRCTC’s transaction fees.
Free quarterly lounge access enhances travel experience.
Additional bonuses like accident insurance and cashback.
EMI and loan flexibility through Flexipay and Easy Money.
Relatively low annual fee.

Cons

Limited everyday reward rate (only 0.8% for regular purchases).
Reward redemption can be glitchy.
High interest on outstanding balances.
Frequent complaints regarding loyalty points not being credited.
Dependency on IRCTC’s backend system for reward tracking.

9. Comparing with Other Travel Cards

Compared to premium travel cards or other IRCTC offerings like the IRCTC SBI Premier Card, the Platinum version is more budget-friendly but comes with fewer lounge visits and slightly lower rewards.

Still, it remains a strong choice for frequent train travelers who want a no-frills, train-focused credit card.

10. Tips to Maximize Benefits

Use the card exclusively for train bookings via IRCTC to maximize reward points.
Make your first transaction of at least ₹500 within 45 days to get the welcome bonus.
Always link your card’s loyalty account with your IRCTC profile.
Redeem points directly on IRCTC for convenience and savings.
Use lounge visits every quarter—don’t let them expire.
Pay full outstanding amounts monthly to avoid interest charges.
Convert large purchases to EMIs using Flexipay if needed.
Keep records of reward points earned and follow up promptly if they’re not credited.

11. Final Thoughts

The SBI IRCTC Platinum Credit Card is a solid choice for those who frequently book AC-class train tickets. With features like cashback, waived transaction fees, complimentary lounge access, and up to 10% value back on IRCTC bookings, it offers significant savings.

However, it’s not without drawbacks—users often report technical issues with reward points and customer service. Still, for dedicated train travelers who can stay on top of these small hurdles, the card provides great value for a relatively low annual fee.