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Revaluation All passengers will now earn points on SBI IRCTC card bookings!

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R

rogerthat

TF Legend
Incredible news for SBI IRCTC card holders! You will now on get points (as per time period) on the entire fare paid for all passengers on the ticket and not just only your fare amount! SBI Card has out of nowhere amended its Terms and Conditions to create this revaluation.

As posted on the SBI Card website: "W.e.f 26 Dec'24, the accrual of Reward Points on ticket purchases at www.irctc.com 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-travelers."

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Until now only the primary card holder's ticket charges would earn points which made this card useless for family travel booking. However with this single move SBI IRCTC is card is now hands down the best rewarding card for train ticket bookings with confirmed 4% to 10% value back!

It is more shocking than suprising to see such revaluations coming in as a ray of light this season of doom and gloom and that too from SBI Cards!
 

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How to get this card, each time when i apply, it got rejected due to internal policy. I already have SBI CB cc and Simplyclick cc with me, want irctc as third card, but they are not issuing me this card.
 
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CardTox said:
How to get this card, each time when i apply, it got rejected due to internal policy. I already have SBI CB cc and Simplyclick cc with me, want irctc as third card, but they are not issuing me this card.
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Unfortunately that's how SBI is right now. If you have any SBI credit card or any credit card more than a couple of lakhs of credit limit you will not get another SBI card. It looks like it is their policy to not issue credit cards anymore especially to those who will and are willing to use it. They are only issuing cards to people who will spend around a couple of thousand rupees a month.

The results of this brilliant policy is showing in their corporate reports. SBI is massively down in number of cards issued and is slipped in market share as well.
 
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CardTox said:
How to get this card, each time when i apply, it got rejected due to internal policy. I already have SBI CB cc and Simplyclick cc with me, want irctc as third card, but they are not issuing me this card.
Click to expand...
Next time try to apply from irctc email banner, the ad you receive on your email id from irctc for sbi cc.
 
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OP, this revaluation was necessary because the card has always been pretty bad. I have had it for nearly 8 years and it is easily the worst amongst the dozen we have in our family. One of our mistakes was that the primary cardholder almost never travels by train but their family does. Even with this revaluation, the card is still useless for them because the primary cardholder must be on the booking. The only reason we still have it is because it used to have the cheapest annual fee (Rs 300 + GST) and worked with Amazon/Flipkart sales. Now that has been increased to Rs 500 + GST; so it matches SimplyCLICK/Save. Also, starting last year SBI had started charging for the points as statement debit if you avail of Amazon/Flipkart sales instant discounts. So no double-dipping, so to speak. During card expiry and renewal, the IRCTC linkage breaks, your points don't get credited and it takes weeks of follow up with SBI and IRCTC to fix it. Last month I could not even redeem my points on IRCTC due to a technical issue that lasted at least the whole month. I didn't try since then. The 10% value back is for off-season travel and just 4 months a year. For the rest of the year it is 4%.

The HDFC IRCTC RuPay CC looks infinitely better on paper but I have no practical experience. We have DCB/Infinia in the family; so SmartBuy and its 3X RPs (10% value back if you consider 1 RP = 1 Rs) are unbeatable. Also, SmartBuy does not charge the 1.8% + GST CC charge. The only issue is that SmartBuy does not work for 15 minutes starting 8-10-11 am when reservation slots open.
 
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dexter_greycells said:
OP, this revaluation was necessary because the card has always been pretty bad. I have had it for nearly 8 years and it is easily the worst amongst the dozen we have in our family. One of our mistakes was that the primary cardholder almost never travels by train but their family does. Even with this revaluation, the card is still useless for them because the primary cardholder must be on the booking. The only reason we still have it is because it used to have the cheapest annual fee (Rs 300 + GST) and worked with Amazon/Flipkart sales. Now that has been increased to Rs 500 + GST; so it matches SimplyCLICK/Save. Also, starting last year SBI had started charging for the points as statement debit if you avail of Amazon/Flipkart sales instant discounts. So no double-dipping, so to speak. During card expiry and renewal, the IRCTC linkage breaks, your points don't get credited and it takes weeks of follow up with SBI and IRCTC to fix it. Last month I could not even redeem my points on IRCTC due to a technical issue that lasted at least the whole month. I didn't try since then. The 10% value back is for off-season travel and just 4 months a year. For the rest of the year it is 4%.

The HDFC IRCTC RuPay CC looks infinitely better on paper but I have no practical experience. We have DCB/Infinia in the family; so SmartBuy and its 3X RPs (10% value back if you consider 1 RP = 1 Rs) are unbeatable. Also, SmartBuy does not charge the 1.8% + GST CC charge. The only issue is that SmartBuy does not work for 15 minutes starting 8-10-11 am when reservation slots open.
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Still 3e should have been included, when you travel within a week of booking, mostly only 3e are available.. 3A have wait list.
So this card is only suitable for occasional travelers only which ultimately defeats purpose of having a dedicated card.
 
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I was about to shut down this card however chose to wait till a month before annual fee was levied. Thankfully the SBI mailer just came in time. With no compensation at 300+Gst annual fees to 500 reward points to compensate for 500+GST is great. Also Rupay and SBI Card offers make this combo decent. The downside was inability to redeem the points, however that has been now resolved after umpteen mails to IRCTC.
 
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dexter_greycells said:
OP, this revaluation was necessary because the card has always been pretty bad. I have had it for nearly 8 years and it is easily the worst amongst the dozen we have in our family. One of our mistakes was that the primary cardholder almost never travels by train but their family does. Even with this revaluation, the card is still useless for them because the primary cardholder must be on the booking. The only reason we still have it is because it used to have the cheapest annual fee (Rs 300 + GST) and worked with Amazon/Flipkart sales. Now that has been increased to Rs 500 + GST; so it matches SimplyCLICK/Save. Also, starting last year SBI had started charging for the points as statement debit if you avail of Amazon/Flipkart sales instant discounts. So no double-dipping, so to speak. During card expiry and renewal, the IRCTC linkage breaks, your points don't get credited and it takes weeks of follow up with SBI and IRCTC to fix it. Last month I could not even redeem my points on IRCTC due to a technical issue that lasted at least the whole month. I didn't try since then. The 10% value back is for off-season travel and just 4 months a year. For the rest of the year it is 4%.

The HDFC IRCTC RuPay CC looks infinitely better on paper but I have no practical experience. We have DCB/Infinia in the family; so SmartBuy and its 3X RPs (10% value back if you consider 1 RP = 1 Rs) are unbeatable. Also, SmartBuy does not charge the 1.8% + GST CC charge. The only issue is that SmartBuy does not work for 15 minutes starting 8-10-11 am when reservation slots open.
Click to expand...
I agree the card has been pretty bad. I face all the problems you mentioned and especially the issue with the linkage between the IRCTC and SBI breaking. I have now trained myself to alert them every first week of March just as and when it happens. I don't travel a lot anymore but still keep this card because it was my first card and the only SBI Card I have, and if I close it I might not get another SBI Card ever again. And then for the sale discounts.

However still I believe I have made extremely good use of this card during the times when I used to very extensively travel by train. I raked up thousands of points and redeemed them well, the big two among them being for journeys on Bangalore - Delhi AC Duronto on AC First Class and AC First Class on the Delhi - Trivandrum Rajdhani.

I don't have (or will get) DCB or Infinia ever and the HDFC IRCTC card has a hundred technical problems with it so I think this is the best card right now. And especially since it covers Tatkal too and refunds the convenience fee.
 
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SBI IRCTC card gives 10% back in off-season as travel rewards and 4% as normal rewards (plus 0.8% standard).

Now I have booked 7 tickets (since I am a frequent traveller), in AC classes. I have been using this card from 3 years, and select the HDFC Payment gateway along with accrual option for the 10% cashback.

None of these bookings are now tagged as loyalty bookings and no points have been rewarded. IRCTC customer care is frustrating, randomly replying that the matter is under process (since 40 days) and SBI is clueless.

The HDFC PG has been removed from IRCTC now. All FAQs of both IRCTC and SBI asked us to book tickets via HDFC or Citi PG but both are absent now in IRCTC.

This card is a nightmare if anything goes wrong. Even after re-evaluation where all travellers will get reward points. there is no guarantee if the tickets will qualify as loyalty bookings. Further there is no customer support as both IRCTC and SBI are horrendous.

The only way out I guess is to close this card and use SBI Cashback+Amazon for train ticket bookings, since HDFC smartbuy is now gone. For frequent AC travellers this card was very useful.
 
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TwinAlco said:
SBI IRCTC card gives 10% back in off-season as travel rewards and 4% as normal rewards (plus 0.8% standard).

Now I have booked 7 tickets (since I am a frequent traveller), in AC classes. I have been using this card from 3 years, and select the HDFC Payment gateway along with accrual option for the 10% cashback.

None of these bookings are now tagged as loyalty bookings and no points have been rewarded. IRCTC customer care is frustrating, randomly replying that the matter is under process (since 40 days) and SBI is clueless.

The HDFC PG has been removed from IRCTC now. All FAQs of both IRCTC and SBI asked us to book tickets via HDFC or Citi PG but both are absent now in IRCTC.

This card is a nightmare if anything goes wrong. Even after re-evaluation where all travellers will get reward points. there is no guarantee if the tickets will qualify as loyalty bookings. Further there is no customer support as both IRCTC and SBI are horrendous.

The only way out I guess is to close this card and use SBI Cashback+Amazon for train ticket bookings, since HDFC smartbuy is now gone. For frequent AC travellers this card was very useful.
Click to expand...
Ditto for me. I sent an email to the IRCTC Loyalty Team last week and am awaiting a resolution. HDFC SmartBuy is still awesome if you use one of the reward points based cards (Infinia, Diners, Regalia).
 
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dexter_greycells said:
Ditto for me. I sent an email to the IRCTC Loyalty Team last week and am awaiting a resolution. HDFC SmartBuy is still awesome if you use one of the reward points based cards (Infinia, Diners, Regalia).
Click to expand...
I am sending them reminders since Jan. No response from loyalty team except vague assurances. There is no contact number for IRCTC Loyalty team as well which is functional. PGPORTAL also of no help. Only option is RBI Ombudsman now I guess. I have even filed an RTI with IRCTC on this matter. 7 tickets not getting loyalty points means the card is waste.

This is a major drawback of the card. The card is seamless if the bookings appear in the loyalty account. Else its a big pain as both SBI and IRCTC blame each other and take no action.

Now it seems the ICICI PG works well for loyalty points credit. HDFC is now not available.

This is a complete technical fault of the bank and IRCTC, don't know why customers have to be penalised for this. Customer care does not even understand all these intricacies.

I am using cashback plus amazon as a safe option to ensure at least 5% is there. But this defeats the purpose of IRCTC card itself.
 
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TwinAlco said:
I am sending them reminders since Jan. No response from loyalty team except vague assurances. There is no contact number for IRCTC Loyalty team as well which is functional. PGPORTAL also of no help. Only option is RBI Ombudsman now I guess. I have even filed an RTI with IRCTC on this matter. 7 tickets not getting loyalty points means the card is waste.

This is a major drawback of the card. The card is seamless if the bookings appear in the loyalty account. Else its a big pain as both SBI and IRCTC blame each other and take no action.

Now it seems the ICICI PG works well for loyalty points credit. HDFC is now not available.

This is a complete technical fault of the bank and IRCTC, don't know why customers have to be penalised for this. Customer care does not even understand all these intricacies.

I am using cashback plus amazon as a safe option to ensure at least 5% is there. But this defeats the purpose of IRCTC card itself.
Click to expand...
What about kotak gateway?
 
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There is another problem with this loyalty business of IRCTC.

IRCTC has a connecting journey booking option, where if you are connecting trains you can use that option.

Now if you have are booking connecting journey booking, you cannot add a loyalty passenger due to the IRCTC site.

Such stupid design.
 
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TwinAlco said:
SBI IRCTC card gives 10% back in off-season as travel rewards and 4% as normal rewards (plus 0.8% standard).

Now I have booked 7 tickets (since I am a frequent traveller), in AC classes. I have been using this card from 3 years, and select the HDFC Payment gateway along with accrual option for the 10% cashback.

None of these bookings are now tagged as loyalty bookings and no points have been rewarded. IRCTC customer care is frustrating, randomly replying that the matter is under process (since 40 days) and SBI is clueless.

The HDFC PG has been removed from IRCTC now. All FAQs of both IRCTC and SBI asked us to book tickets via HDFC or Citi PG but both are absent now in IRCTC.

This card is a nightmare if anything goes wrong. Even after re-evaluation where all travellers will get reward points. there is no guarantee if the tickets will qualify as loyalty bookings. Further there is no customer support as both IRCTC and SBI are horrendous.

The only way out I guess is to close this card and use SBI Cashback+Amazon for train ticket bookings, since HDFC smartbuy is now gone. For frequent AC travellers this card was very useful.
Click to expand...
SBI cashback card has no cashback applicability for railway booking. pls check terms and conditions.

HDFC payment gateway is available in Payment Gateway/ Credit card / Debit card 1741841493999.webp

Also is HDFC smartbuy gone? i used smartbuy on march 6th 2025 for train ticket booking
 
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