IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card vs SBI Card PRIME
How IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card and SBI Card PRIME compare on fees, rewards and eligibility — verified as of June 2026.
By NexMaxo Editorial Team · Terms verified June 2026
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Quick take
Neither is lifetime-free: IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card costs ₹500 + GST joining fee; ₹500 + GST annual/renewal fee (no spend-based waiver advertised) and SBI Card PRIME costs ₹2,999 + GST joining and ₹2,999 + GST annual/renewal (renewal fee waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend) — both waivable on spend, so the rewards decide it.
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card — better for frequent train travellers who book on the irctc website/app and want railway-lounge access plus a transaction-charge waiver on rail tickets.
SBI Card PRIME — better for mid-to-high spenders who put ₹3l+/year through one card and want lounge access plus strong dining/grocery rewards and milestone vouchers.
Side by side
| IRCTC RBL Bank Credit CardRBL Bank | SBI Card PRIMESBI Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 + GST joining fee; ₹500 + GST annual/renewal fee (no spend-based waiver advertised) | ₹2,999 + GST joining and ₹2,999 + GST annual/renewal (renewal fee waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend) |
| Reward rate | 5 RP/₹200 on IRCTC train tickets; 3 RP/₹200 on FASTag/NCMC; 2 RP/₹200 on IRCTC flights/hotels/tourism; 1 RP/₹200 on other select spends. 1 RP = ₹1 when redeemed on IRCTC. | 10 RP/₹100 on dining, groceries, movies and departmental stores; 2 RP/₹100 on all other spends; 1 RP = ₹0.25 (accelerated points reportedly capped ~7,500 RP/month) |
| Lifetime-free | No | No |
| Network | RuPay | Visa / Mastercard / RuPay / American Express |
| Eligibility | approx: salaried/self-employed adults (age ~21-65); specific minimum income not published by RBL/aggregators | Age approx 18-80 years; income criteria not officially published (aggregator-sourced, approx) |
| Best for | Frequent train travellers who book on the IRCTC website/app and want railway-lounge access plus a transaction-charge waiver on rail tickets. | Mid-to-high spenders who put ₹3L+/year through one card and want lounge access plus strong dining/grocery rewards and milestone vouchers. |
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
- 5 RP per ₹200 on IRCTC train tickets; 3 RP/₹200 on FASTag/NCMC recharge; 2 RP/₹200 on IRCTC flights & hotels; 1 RP/₹200 on other spends (1 RP = ₹1 on IRCTC)
- 8 complimentary IRCTC Executive railway lounge visits per year (max 2 per quarter, primary cardholder only; guests chargeable)
- 1% IRCTC train-booking transaction-charge waiver on transactions up to ₹5,000, capped at ₹200/month (reversed in next statement)
SBI Card PRIME
- 10 RP/₹100 on dining, groceries, movies and departmental stores; 2 RP/₹100 elsewhere (1 RP = ₹0.25)
- 8 complimentary domestic + 4 international Priority Pass lounge visits/year (capped 2/quarter each)
- Milestone vouchers: ₹1,000 Pizza Hut e-voucher on ₹50,000 quarterly spend + ₹7,000 Yatra/Pantaloons voucher on ₹5L annual spend
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card vs SBI Card PRIME — FAQs
Neither is universally better. IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card suits frequent train travellers who book on the irctc website/app and want railway-lounge access plus a transaction-charge waiver on rail tickets. SBI Card PRIME suits mid-to-high spenders who put ₹3l+/year through one card and want lounge access plus strong dining/grocery rewards and milestone vouchers. Compare the annual fee and reward rate above against your own spending — that's what decides it.
Neither is lifetime-free: IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card costs ₹500 + GST joining fee; ₹500 + GST annual/renewal fee (no spend-based waiver advertised) and SBI Card PRIME costs ₹2,999 + GST joining and ₹2,999 + GST annual/renewal (renewal fee waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend) — both waivable on spend, so the rewards decide it. On rewards, IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card gives 5 reward points per ₹200 on irctc train ticket bookings (1 rp = ₹1 on irctc), i.e. ~2.5% value back on rail tickets. whereas SBI Card PRIME gives 10 reward points per ₹100 on dining, groceries, movies and departmental stores (1 rp = ₹0.25, so ~2.5% value) plus ₹3,000 welcome voucher.
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card: ₹500 + GST joining fee; ₹500 + GST annual/renewal fee (no spend-based waiver advertised). SBI Card PRIME: ₹2,999 + GST joining and ₹2,999 + GST annual/renewal (renewal fee waived on ₹3 lakh annual spend). Both fees can usually be waived on annual spend — check the thresholds on each issuer's page.
This is an informational comparison, not financial advice. Card terms change often — confirm current fees, rewards and eligibility on each issuer's official page before applying. Pay your bill in full to avoid interest.