About the SBI IRCTC Platinum card

[GalacticTreasurer]

I feel this is one of the most underrated cards in the market. I will try to explain the value prop of this card in the post.

The good:
1. This is the cheapest SBI card with an AF of Rs. 300
2. The card comes as FYF if you apply via a referral along with a Amazon voucher of Rs. 500 (so effectively free for 2 years)
3. The card is applicable on all SBI offers, I've used it to save around 7k so far on Amazon SBI offers
4. Huge one for me personally - 10% value back on AC train bookings. I travel weekly and this is a god send.
4. Decent railways lounge access - 4 times a year.

The bad:
1. Redemption process: First you have to have a IRCTC loyalty account created for you by SBI. This took 4 days for me after the card was delivered, and I followed up with them each day. This should have been created as soon as the card details are generated. Once the IRCTC loyalty account is created, you have to go ahead and link your account on the website. After that, every time you click book now, you will be shown an intermittent loyalty screen like this



For a few trains, you only get Accrual option and for most others you also get a 'Redemption' option. Accrual is straightforward, you go ahead with your normal booking flow and pay with the card, HDFC gateway is recommended for this as its the most consistent gateway where 1% transaction charges are reversed. Another thing to note here is that you cannot change your name on the ticket - it will be the one on your card and is not editable during booking. Presumably this is done to prevent misuse by travel agents. During redemption - you click redemption and simply pay with your points (you have to have a transaction password created for this prior to redeeming). Another note is that you have to have full value of points to redeem i.e. if you're booking a ticket for Rs. 500, you need to have 500 points, points + pay is not an option.
As you can probably see, the redemption process is less than ideal and cumbersome at best. However, I don't have a suggestion here as to how they can improve this process while also keeping travel agencies from gaming the system.

The Ugly: none 🙂

For anyone who is looking to get an SBI Card for the sake of it, or for the offers, just get this one instead of SimpliClick or SimpliSave. Its effectively 2 years free and you stand a good chance of converting this to LTF down the line, since its not an in demand card. The card is also a no brainier for regular (at least 2 times a month) train travelers who prefer traveling in AC coaches.

Happy to answer if anyone has any doubts on this card!

 

[Sahil_07]

Term and conditions are being changed
Kindly explain
If attached pic is not readable I am writing what they sent.
Dear Cardholder,

This is to bring to your notice the below-mentioned important updates regarding your IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card, applicable on Visa and RuPay network:

• The Renewal Fee applicable on the card will be ₹500 + GST
• 500 Reward Points will be credited to the cardholder's account on payment and realization of Renewal Fee (1 Reward Point = ₹1)
• The accrual of Reward Points on ticket purchases at www.irctc.co.in will be basis the booking amount, i.e. the value of the Primary Cardholder's individual fare as well as that of all other co-travellers, if any
• Reward Points will lapse after 2 years from the date of accrual

These changes will come into effect from 26th December'24.

500 reward points so effectively it will make it ltf?