HDFC IRCTC Credit Card

About HDFC IRCTC Credit Card

Are you tired of paying the full fare every time you book a train ticket for your commute or family trips? The HDFC IRCTC Credit Card is designed to put money back into the pockets of frequent railway travelers.

This card offers a combined value of up to 10% on your train bookings. You get 5 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent plus an extra 5% cashback when you book through HDFC Bank SmartBuy. If you spend ₹10,000 on tickets every month, you could potentially save over ₹12,000 in a year just on travel. It is a straightforward way to turn your travel expenses into future free trips.

This card is an excellent choice for salaried professionals and business owners who rely on the Indian Railways network and want a rewarding experience without high annual fees. It targets those earning at least ₹25,000 per month who want more than just a basic credit card.

What makes this card stand out:

• Double Benefits on Bookings: Unlike the standard SBI IRCTC card which focuses mostly on points, this card gives you both Reward Points and direct cashback through SmartBuy.
• High Redemption Value: 1 Reward Point equals ₹1. This is much higher than many entry-level cards where points are worth only 20 to 25 paise.
• Luxury on the Tracks: You get 8 complimentary visits to IRCTC Executive Lounges every year, making your wait at the station far more comfortable.

Quick check: To qualify, you will need a minimum annual income of ₹3 lakh if you are salaried and a CRIF score of 720 or above.

Let us break down why this card deserves a spot in your wallet:

Key Benefits and Features of the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card

The HDFC IRCTC Credit Card is packed with features that specifically target the needs of a railway traveler. From the moment you activate the card, you start seeing the value. Here is a detailed look at the benefits:

Welcome and Activation Benefits

HDFC Bank makes it easy to recover your initial costs. While there is a joining fee of ₹500, it is effectively neutralized. You receive a ₹500 gift voucher upon card activation. To ensure you qualify for rewards right from the start, you must make a minimum transaction of ₹100 within the first 30 days of receiving your card. This simple step activates your reward earning potential.

Accelerated Rewards on Railway Bookings

The core strength of this card lies in how it rewards your travel spend. You earn 5 Reward Points for every ₹100 spent on train tickets via the IRCTC website or the Rail Connect App. Since each point is worth ₹1, this is a direct 5% value back.

But it gets better. If you book your IRCTC tickets through the HDFC Bank SmartBuy platform, you get an additional 5% cashback. This cashback is capped at ₹1,000 per month, which allows for significant savings of up to ₹12,000 annually. Between the points and the cashback, you are looking at a 10% total value back on your bookings.

Exclusive Railway Lounge Access

Waiting for a train does not have to be tiring. This card provides 8 complimentary visits per year to select IRCTC Executive Lounges. You can use 2 visits per quarter. These lounges offer a quiet environment, comfortable seating, and often include snacks and beverages, providing a premium experience at busy stations like New Delhi, Jaipur, or Ahmedabad.

Transaction Fee Waivers

Booking tickets online usually involves a transaction surcharge. With the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card, you get a 1% transaction surcharge waiver on all bookings made via the IRCTC website, the Rail Connect app, or HDFC SmartBuy. The bank caps this waiver at ₹1,000 per month, which is more than enough for even the most frequent travelers.

Fuel Surcharge Waiver

Even though this is a railway-focused card, it helps you save at the petrol pump too. You get a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000. You can save up to ₹250 in every statement cycle through this feature.

Annual Fee and Waiver Conditions

The card comes with an annual fee of ₹500. However, HDFC Bank offers a way to get this fee waived entirely. If you spend ₹1,50,000 or more in a year before your renewal date, the bank will waive the ₹500 fee for the next year. For a regular commuter, hitting this milestone is quite achievable through a mix of travel and daily spends.

Redeeming Your Rewards

Redemption is simple and highly valuable. You can use your Reward Points to book train tickets via HDFC Bank SmartBuy. You can pay up to 70% of the ticket fare using your points. With a 1:1 conversion rate (1 point = ₹1), your points go much further than they would on a standard rewards catalog.

Eligibility Criteria for the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card

Before you apply, ensure you meet the bank's specific requirements. HDFC Bank is strict about these criteria to ensure they issue cards to responsible borrowers.

For Salaried Individuals

• Age: You must be between 21 and 60 years old.
• Monthly Income: A minimum monthly net income of ₹25,000 (₹3 lakh per annum) is required.
• Credit Score: A CRIF score of 720 or above is generally required for a smooth approval process.

For Self-Employed Individuals

• Age: You must be between 21 and 65 years old.
• Annual Income: You need a minimum annual ITR of ₹6 lakh.
• Credit Score: Similar to salaried applicants, a CRIF score of 720 or higher is mandatory.

Meeting these criteria does not guarantee approval, as the bank also looks at your existing debts and internal policies, but it significantly improves your chances.

How to Apply?

The application process for the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card is straightforward and can be completed online or offline.

1. Visit the Official Website: Go to the HDFC Bank website or use the specific Traqkarr link provided to start your application.
2. Check Eligibility: Enter your mobile number and PAN details to see if you meet the basic age and income requirements (₹3 LPA for salaried or ₹6 LPA for self-employed).
3. Fill the Application: Provide your personal details, including your full name, residence address, and employment information.
4. Select the Card: If you are eligible for multiple cards, ensure you select the "HDFC IRCTC Credit Card" to get the railway-specific benefits.
5. Submit Documents: You may need to upload digital copies of your ID proof, address proof, and income documents (like salary slips or ITR).
6. Verification: The bank will conduct a physical or digital KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.
7. Card Issuance: Once verified, the bank will process your application and mail the physical card to your registered address.

Processing typically takes 7 to 10 working days, depending on the verification method used and the completeness of your documentation.

Credit Limit: What to Expect?

Credit limits for the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card are not fixed. They are assigned based on your income, your current CRIF or CIBIL score, and your existing relationship with HDFC Bank. If you already have a high-value savings account or a home loan with them, you might receive a higher starting limit.

Entry-level cards like this see starting limits ranging from ₹30,000 to ₹1,00,000. You can request a limit increase after 6 to 12 months of disciplined usage and timely bill payments. You will receive specific details regarding your assigned credit limit via SMS or email immediately upon card approval.

Comparison Table: HDFC IRCTC vs. Competitors

To help you decide, here is how the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card compares with other popular railway and travel cards in India.

Feature	HDFC IRCTC Credit Card	SBI IRCTC Platinum	BoB IRCTC Credit Card	AU Bank ixigo Card
Joining Fee	₹500 (Offset by voucher)	₹500	₹500	₹0 (Usually)
Railway Rewards	5 RP per ₹100 + 5% Cashback	Up to 10% Valueback (AC)	Up to 40 Pts per ₹100	10% off on ixigo
Lounge Access	8 IRCTC Lounges/Year	4 IRCTC Lounges/Year	4 IRCTC Lounges/Year	16 Lounges (Mix)
Point Value	1 Point = ₹1	1 Point = ₹1	1 Point = ₹0.25	N/A (Direct Discount)
Winner For	High Reward Value (1:1)	Occasional AC Travel	Frequent Small Bookings	Aggregator Discounts

The HDFC IRCTC Credit Card is the clear winner if you want the highest flexibility in redeeming points, as the 1:1 ratio is superior to the BoB variant. While AU ixigo is great for app discounts, the HDFC card offers a more robust lounge benefit and consistent value through the SmartBuy portal.

Documents Required for HDFC IRCTC Credit Card Application

You will need to submit the following documents when applying:

For Salaried Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory), Aadhaar Card, Passport, or Voter ID
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card, Utility Bills (not older than 2 months), or Rent Agreement
• Income Proof: Latest 3 months salary slips and 6 months bank statements
• Employment Proof: Office ID card

For Self-Employed Applicants

• Identity Proof: PAN Card (mandatory) and Aadhaar Card
• Address Proof: Aadhaar Card or Property Documents
• Income Proof: Latest 2 years ITR with computation of income (Minimum ₹6 LPA)
• Business Proof: GST registration or Shop Act License

Note: All documents must be self-attested. The bank may request additional documents during verification.

Who Should Get This Card?

Should you get this card? Here is who benefits the most from the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card:

The Weekend Commuter: If you are a professional working in a city like Bangalore or Delhi but travel back to your hometown every weekend via train, this card is a must-have. By spending ₹8,000 to ₹10,000 monthly on tickets, you can earn enough Reward Points to fund almost two months of travel every year. The 1:1 reward ratio makes your savings tangible and easy to calculate.

The Budget-Conscious Family Traveler: If you plan two or three long-distance family trips a year, the costs add up. Using this card for those high-value bookings ensures you get 5% cashback plus points. Moreover, the 8 lounge visits mean your family can wait for trains in a comfortable, air-conditioned environment with clean washrooms and food, avoiding the station crowd.

The RuPay Enthusiast: Since this is a RuPay card, it is ideal for those who want to take advantage of the growing RuPay ecosystem in India. It combines traditional credit card benefits with the specific needs of the Indian railway passenger.

You might want to skip this card if:

• You primarily travel by air. This card offers zero airport lounge access and no flight-specific rewards.
• You prefer shopping on Amazon or Flipkart more than traveling. A general cashback card like the SBI Cashback or HDFC Millennia might serve you better.

BankKaro Expert Review

Based on the card features, the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card excels at providing specialized value. Most co-branded railway cards offer points that are hard to track, but HDFC has kept it simple with a 1 Reward Point = ₹1 rule for railway bookings. This transparency is refreshing in the credit card industry.

The biggest limitation is the exclusion list. You won't earn rewards on fuel, wallet loads, rent, or school fees. This means you cannot use this as your "only" card if you want to maximize rewards on every single life expense. It is strictly a "category winner" for travel and railway spends.

Our verdict: Choose this card if you spend at least ₹5,000 monthly on IRCTC. The combination of lounge access and the SmartBuy cashback makes it significantly more valuable than the basic SBI IRCTC Platinum card. However, keep an eye on your spending to hit the ₹1.5 lakh waiver mark, as that makes the card effectively free for life.

Terms and Conditions

Please take note of these specific conditions for the HDFC IRCTC Credit Card:

• A minimum transaction of Rs.100 within 30 days of card issuance is required to activate the card. If you fail to do this, you will not be eligible for the Rewards program.
• The bank may offer a different card variant based on your personal eligibility and credit profile. Please carefully read the specific features of the card offered to you before submitting your final application.
• Reward Points are not earned on fuel spends, wallet loads, gift vouchers, rent payments, education spends, and cash advances.
• The 1% transaction surcharge waiver is capped at ₹1,000 per month.
• Interest rates typically range from 3.6% per month (43.2% per annum), subject to your creditworthiness and payment history.