If you book train tickets on IRCTC more than a few times a year, you’ve probably seen this card pop up. The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card earns rewards on train bookings, comes with railway lounge access, and has a ₹500 annual fee that most travelers will recover quickly. But like any card, the value depends on how you actually use it. Here’s the full picture.
What You Get From Day One
Once approved, you get a welcome benefit of 500 Reward Points — but only if you spend more than ₹500 within the first 30 days of getting the card. That’s a low bar, so most people will clear it without trying.
The IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card also supports Tap & Transit at metro and bus stations that accept it, and Scan & Pay for UPI payments using your credit card. Useful if you’re tired of switching between apps.
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card Benefits
Rewards on Train Bookings
This is where the card earns its keep. Every ₹200 spent on train tickets through the IRCTC website or app gets you 5 Reward Points. On top of that, IRCTC’s own booking charges get a 1% instant waiver — small, but it adds up over dozens of bookings.
Travel Comfort: Lounge Access
You get 8 free railway lounge visits per year — 2 per quarter — at select stations across India. A ₹2 validation charge applies per visit to confirm eligibility. If you pass through major stations regularly, this alone can save you a fair amount on food and waiting.
Train Cancellation Protection
Indian Railways cancels trains. When that happens within 24 hours of departure, this card covers up to ₹5,000 on eligible bookings. Full conditions are in the section below, but the short version: confirmed or RAC tickets, booked on IRCTC, paid with the primary card.
Rewards on Other Travel
Flights, hotels, and cruises booked through the IRCTC platform earn 2 Reward Points per ₹200. FASTag recharges via RBL Bank digital channels, NCMC reloads, or the UTS app earn 3 Reward Points per ₹200. These are capped at 1,000 points per category per month, so heavy spenders will hit the ceiling.
Everyday Spending
Regular purchases — shopping, dining, entertainment — earn 1 Reward Point per ₹200. Not exciting, but it’s something.
Each Reward Point is worth ₹1 on redemption. Note that redemption carries a ₹99 + GST fee per request, and points expire after 2 years.
Train Cancellation Protection: The Fine Print
This IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card benefit sounds great, but it has specific conditions. Here’s what applies:
When the cover works:
- Indian Railways cancels a confirmed train within 24 hours of scheduled departure
- The ticket was confirmed or RAC (not waitlisted)
- Booked on the IRCTC website or app
- Payment was made with the primary IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
- Booking is in the primary cardholder’s name
- Domestic journeys only
How to file a claim:
- Use your registered email to raise the claim
- Attach all documents in PDF format: cancelled ticket, IRCTC cancellation email, card statement showing the booking, and proof of alternate travel booked within 48 hours
- Submit the claim within 7 days of completing the alternate journey
A few more limits: only 1 claim per 6-month period is allowed. Local trains, general-class bookings, and taxes are excluded. If approved, the reimbursement credits to your card within 7 working days after the second billing cycle.
How Much Can You Actually Save in a Year?
Here’s a realistic breakdown of what the card can return if you’re a frequent traveler:
| Category | Estimated Yearly Spend | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Train ticket bookings (IRCTC) | ₹2,30,400 | ₹5,760 |
| Flights / hotels / cruises (IRCTC) | ₹76,800 | ₹768 |
| FASTag / NCMC / UTS recharges | ₹57,600 | ₹864 |
| Other purchases | ₹19,200 | ₹96 |
| Welcome bonus | — | ₹500 |
| Milestone benefit (₹75K/quarter) | ₹75,000 per quarter | ₹500 |
| Train cancellation cover | — | ₹5,000 |
| Railway lounge access (8 visits) | — | ₹4,800 |
| IRCTC transaction fee waiver | — | ₹2,304 |
| Total potential savings | ₹20,592 |
The annual fee is ₹500. So even at a fraction of the spend estimates above, the card pays for itself. The big caveat: those train booking numbers assume fairly heavy usage. If you book a few trains a year, your actual returns will be lower.
How to Link Your IRCTC Loyalty Number
Your card has an 11-digit loyalty number printed on the back. This gets assigned after your application is approved and the membership fee is paid.
Before linking, make sure your email, mobile number, and date of birth match exactly on both your IRCTC account and your credit card records.
Steps to link:
- Log in to the IRCTC website or Rail Connect app with your IRCTC ID (create one first if you don’t have it)
- Go to the Loyalty Account tab and select Add Loyalty Account
- Enter your 11-digit loyalty number and request an OTP
- Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number and confirm
- Check your linked details under the Loyalty Account tab
If the linking fails — usually because of a detail mismatch — contact IRCTC Customer Care at 14646 or 0755-6610661 / 0755-4090600.
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card Charges
| Parameter | Charge |
|---|---|
| Annual / Joining Fee | ₹500 |
| Add-on Card Fee | ₹200 |
| Finance Charges | Up to 3.99% per month (47.88% p.a.) |
| Cash Advance Fee | 2.5% or minimum ₹500 |
| Late Payment Fine | 12.5% of outstanding (₹5–₹1,300) |
| Overlimit Fee | NIL |
The finance charge is steep — 3.99% per month is standard for credit cards in India, but it’s a good reason to pay your bill in full each month.
A Few Things Worth Knowing
- Reward Points cap: Points on train tickets, FASTag recharges, and flight/hotel/cruise bookings are capped at 1,000 per category per month. If you’re booking bulk travel for a group, you’ll hit this ceiling fast.
- Point expiry: Points are valid for 2 years from the date they’re credited. Track them — expired points don’t come back.
- Redemption fee: Every redemption request costs ₹99 + GST. It’s worth collecting enough points to make each redemption worthwhile rather than redeeming small amounts frequently.
- Lounge validation charge: The ₹2 charge per visit isn’t a big deal, but it does confirm that you can’t sneak in on an inactive card.
Who Should Get IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card?
If you travel by train more than a few times a year and already use IRCTC to book tickets, this card makes sense. The annual fee is low, the rewards on train bookings are solid, and the lounge visits are a genuine perk for anyone passing through major stations.
If trains aren’t part of your regular routine, the reward rate on regular purchases (1 point per ₹200) is too low to justify it over a general-purpose rewards card.
FAQs
Ans. Only one claim per 6-month period. Local trains, general-class tickets, and taxes are excluded. Approved reimbursements credit within 7 working days after the second billing cycle.
Ans. Amenities vary by station, but lounges typically offer seating, food, Wi-Fi, and charging points. The ₹2 card validation charge per visit applies.
Ans. Log in to the RBL Bank app or net banking portal, or call RBL Bank customer care.
Ans. Indian residents who meet RBL Bank’s standard credit card eligibility — age, income, and credit score criteria apply. Check the RBL Bank website for current requirements.
Ans. After you spend ₹500 or more within 30 days of card issuance. The points are typically credited within a few billing cycles.
Ans. Call RBL Bank customer care immediately to block the card and request a replacement. Your loyalty number remains the same.
Ans. Use the RBL Bank website’s application tracker or call their customer care helpline with your application reference number.
