Looking for a dedicated credit card that maximises value every time you book train tickets on IRCTC? The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card delivers up to 2.5% rewards on railway bookings, 8 complimentary railway lounge visits, and useful transit perks—all for a low ₹500 annual fee. This complete 2026 review covers every fee, reward rate, eligibility rule and real-world drawback so you can decide if it fits your travel spending.
1. Brief Introduction (Card Overview)
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Card Name: IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
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Issuer Bank: RBL Bank (in partnership with IRCTC)
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Card Network: RuPay (also available on Mastercard in some variants)
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Card Type: Travel & Transit Rewards
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Ideal User for this Card: Frequent train travellers, daily commuters who recharge FASTag/NCMC/UTS, and anyone who books flights or hotels via the IRCTC platform and wants simple 1:1 point redemption on train tickets.
2. Key Takeaways
- Best for: Regular IRCTC train bookers and public-transport users
- Top Benefit: 5 Reward Points per ₹200 (2.5%) on train tickets via IRCTC website/app
- Annual Fee: ₹500 + GST (no spend-based waiver)
- Standout Feature: Up to 8 free IRCTC Executive railway lounge visits per year
- Verdict: Excellent low-fee option if most of your travel spend goes through IRCTC
3. Fees & Charges
| Fee Type | Details |
|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹500 + GST |
| Annual / Renewal Fee | ₹500 + GST (no spend-based waiver currently available) |
| Forex Markup Fee | 3.5% |
| Finance Charges (Interest) | Up to 3.99% per month (up to 47.88% p.a.) |
| Reward Redemption Fee | ₹99 + GST on RBL Rewards portal (points used directly on IRCTC for train tickets are free of this fee) |
4. Cashback, Rewards & Discounts
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Train Bookings (IRCTC website/app – all classes): 5 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent (effective 2.5%). Capped at 1,000 points per month.
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FASTag / NCMC / UTS: 3 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent on FASTag recharge via RBL digital channels, NCMC reload or local train tickets on UTS app. Capped at 1,000 points per month.
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Flights, Hotels & Cruises via IRCTC: 2 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent. Capped at 1,000 points per month.
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Other Eligible Spends: 1 Reward Point for every ₹200 spent (0.5% base rate). Several categories such as fuel, utilities, insurance, rent, education and wallets are excluded.
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Welcome Benefit: 500 Reward Points on making an eligible retail spend of ₹500 or more within 30 days of card issuance (credited after annual fee is paid, within 60 days).
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Milestone Benefit: 500 Reward Points when you spend ₹75,000 or more in a calendar quarter (eligible categories only).
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Redemption Value: 1 Reward Point = ₹1 when used for train ticket bookings on the IRCTC website or Rail Connect app. Points can also be redeemed on the RBL Rewards portal.
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1% Transaction Fee Waiver: 1% surcharge waiver on IRCTC train bookings (applicable on transactions up to ₹5,000; maximum ₹200 waiver per month).
5. Travel Benefits
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Railway Lounge Access: Up to 8 complimentary visits per year to select IRCTC Executive Lounges across India (maximum 2 visits per calendar quarter). Available only to the primary cardholder. Present the card and valid train ticket; a small validation charge (₹2 for RuPay) is debited and refunded.
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Train Cancellation Protection: Cover up to ₹5,000 if your train is cancelled by Indian Railways within 24 hours of the scheduled departure. Helps arrange alternate transport.
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NCMC & Tap-and-Pay: RuPay variant supports National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) for seamless tap-and-go at metro, bus and other participating public-transport systems.
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UPI Linkage: Link the RuPay card to UPI for scan-and-pay convenience on everyday purchases.
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Airport Lounge Access: None. This card focuses on railway lounges only.
6. Other Lifestyle & Special Perks
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Contactless Payments: Tap-and-pay enabled for quick retail transactions up to the permitted limit.
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Add-on Cards: Up to 5 complimentary add-on cards can be requested for family members (subject to bank policy).
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EMI Conversion: Convert eligible purchases into easy EMIs via the RBL MyBank app.
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Fuel Surcharge: No special fuel surcharge waiver beyond the standard network rules; accelerated rewards apply only on FASTag/NCMC/UTS channels mentioned above.
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Loyalty Number Linking: After fee payment, link the 11-digit loyalty number printed on the card with your IRCTC account for seamless point redemption.
7. Eligibility Criteria
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Age: 21 to 70 years (subject to bank’s internal policy)
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Employment: Salaried or self-employed individuals
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Credit Score: Good credit history preferred (typically CIBIL 700+ improves approval chances)
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Income: No fixed minimum published; bank assesses overall profile and existing relationship
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Nationality: Indian residents
8. Drawbacks & Cons
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No Annual Fee Waiver: You pay ₹500 + GST every year regardless of spends.
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Monthly Caps on Accelerated Rewards: Only 1,000 points per category per month on train, FASTag and IRCTC flight/hotel spends.
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Low Base Rate: Only 0.5% on non-accelerated categories; many everyday spends (fuel at pumps, utilities, rent, education) earn zero points.
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No Airport Lounges: Only railway executive lounges are complimentary.
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Redemption Fee: ₹99 + GST applies when redeeming on the RBL Rewards portal (avoidable if you redeem only on IRCTC).
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Lounge Restricted to Primary Cardholder: Add-on members and guests pay extra.
9. Similar & Alternative Cards
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IRCTC SBI Card Premier: Higher rewards on IRCTC bookings (up to 10% value back) but higher annual fee (₹1,499) that can be waived on ₹2 lakh annual spend. Better if you spend heavily on trains. [LINK: Best Travel Credit Cards in India]
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HDFC IRCTC Credit Card: Similar ₹500 fee and 8 railway lounge visits; offers 5% value back on train tickets (capped) plus Amazon voucher welcome benefit. Strong alternative if you prefer HDFC’s ecosystem. [LINK: Best Cashback Credit Cards in India]
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Axis Ace or other low-fee travel cards: Consider if you want broader lounge access or higher general spend rewards instead of pure IRCTC focus. [LINK: Best RuPay Credit Cards in India]
10. Official Website & Essential Links
11. How to Apply
Online Steps:
- Visit the official RBL Bank website or the IRCTC page and click “Apply Now” for the IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card.
- Fill in personal details, employment information and contact details carefully.
- Upload required documents (PAN, Aadhaar/address proof, income proof if asked).
- Submit the application and note the reference number for tracking.
- Track status on the RBL Bank application tracker; once approved, the card is delivered and you can activate it via the RBL MyBank app or SMS.
Documents Required:
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Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory) + Aadhaar / Passport / Voter ID
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Address Proof: Aadhaar, Passport, utility bill or bank statement
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Income Proof (if requested): Latest 3 salary slips or last 3 months’ bank statements / ITR for self-employed
12. Safety & Fraud Prevention Tips
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OTP & CVV Security: Banks or officials never ask for OTP, CVV, or passwords over the phone.
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Safe Links: Always use verified and secure channels to avoid any online fraud.
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Report Immediately: If your card is lost or you notice unauthorised transactions, block it instantly via the RBL MyBank app or call 022-6232-7777.
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Enable Controls: Use the RBL app or website to switch on/off online, international or contactless transactions as needed.
13. Should You Get This Card? (Final Verdict)
Pros Summary: Frequent train travellers and daily transit users who book mostly through IRCTC will get the highest value. The low fee, 2.5% effective reward rate on trains, railway lounge access and NCMC/UPI convenience make the IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card a practical choice for Indian rail users.
Final Conclusion: The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card is worth considering if your annual train and transit spends are high enough to offset the ₹500 fee. If you rarely book on IRCTC or prefer airport lounges and broader rewards, explore the alternatives listed above. Always verify the latest terms on the official RBL Bank or IRCTC pages before applying.
14. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can this card be obtained as Lifetime Free?
A: No. The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card has a joining and annual fee of ₹500 + GST with no published spend-based waiver. It is not a lifetime-free card.
Q: What is the reward rate on IRCTC train bookings?
A: You earn 5 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent on train tickets booked via the IRCTC website or Rail Connect app (all classes). Since 1 point equals ₹1 on IRCTC, the effective rate is 2.5%, subject to a monthly cap of 1,000 points.
Q: How many railway lounge visits do I get?
A: Primary cardholders get up to 8 complimentary visits per year to select IRCTC Executive Lounges (maximum 2 visits per calendar quarter). Guests and add-on cardholders are not covered for free.
Q: Is the annual fee waived on high spends?
A: According to the official website and product FAQs, there is currently no spend-based waiver for the ₹500 + GST annual fee.
Q: Can I redeem reward points only on IRCTC?
A: Yes. Points can be redeemed directly on the IRCTC website or app at 1 point = ₹1 for train tickets (minimum ₹200). They can also be used on the RBL Rewards portal, where a ₹99 + GST redemption fee may apply.
Q: Is the IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card a RuPay card?
A: Yes, the primary offering is on the RuPay network, which supports NCMC tap-and-pay and UPI linkage. Mastercard variants may also be available depending on the application.
Q: What is the eligibility age for this card?
A: Individuals between 21 and 70 years of age can apply, subject to RBL Bank’s internal credit policy and a satisfactory credit history.
Q: How do I link the loyalty number with my IRCTC account?
A: After paying the membership fee, log in to the IRCTC website or Rail Connect app, go to the Loyalty Account tab, enter the 11-digit loyalty number printed on the back of the card, and complete OTP verification using the same mobile number and email linked to the card.
15. Expert Help & Next Steps
Still Confused? Not sure if this credit card is the right choice for your spending habits?
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16. Disclaimer
Financial Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is strictly for educational and informational purposes.
Credit card fees, interest rates, and terms & conditions (T&C) are subject to change by respective banks over time.
Always check the official website of the relevant bank to review all rules thoroughly before applying for any card.
We are not responsible for any financial losses or approved/rejected applications.
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