The verdict
An essential credit card for anyone traveling regularly by Indian Railways. The 10% value back on AC train bookings combined with 4 railway executive lounge visits and transaction fee waiver makes train journeys exceptionally rewarding.
Spending ₹4,000/month on IRCTC AC train bookings earns 19,200 points/year (₹4,800 railway ticket value). Adding 1% IRCTC transaction fee savings (₹480), 4 railway lounge visits (~₹1,600), and ₹50,000 spend fee waiver delivers over ₹7,370 in net annual railway travel value against a ₹499 fee.
Cardholders who travel predominantly by air rather than trains will prefer airline cards like Scapia or BOBCARD Etihad Guest.
✓What works
- +Up to 40 reward points (10% return) for every ₹100 spent on AC train ticket bookings on irctc.co.in and Rail Connect app.
- +1,000 bonus welcome reward points upon card activation and initial spend.
- +1% transaction fee waiver on train ticket bookings via IRCTC website and mobile app.
- +4 complimentary railway executive lounge visits per year (1 per calendar quarter).
- +100% annual renewal fee waiver upon spending ₹50,000 in a card anniversary year.
- +RuPay enabled for merchant UPI QR scan-and-pay transactions.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000.
✕What doesn't
- −₹499 + GST joining and renewal fee.
- −40X accelerated points apply exclusively to AC ticket bookings on official IRCTC portal.
- −Does not include airport lounge access.
What it earns
1 BOBCARD IRCTC Reward Point = ₹0.25 value for railway ticket bookings on irctc.co.in.
| Category | Rate | Monthly Cap | Per ₹1L spent |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCTC AC Train Bookings (40X) | 40 Points / ₹100 (10.0% value) | Uncapped | 40,000 Points (~₹10,000 value) |
| All Other Domestic Retail Spends | 2 Points / ₹100 (0.50% value) | Uncapped | 2,000 Points (~₹500 value) |
| Fuel Purchases | 0% | Excluded | 0 Points |
Accelerated earn
10% Value Back on AC Train Tickets + 4 Railway Lounges
Earn up to 40 points per ₹100 on IRCTC and enjoy executive railway lounges.
| Category / Channel | Multiplier Rate | Monthly Cap | Cap / Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCTC AC Train Tickets40 points per ₹100 on AC 1, AC 2, AC 3, CC tickets booked on irctc.co.in. | 40× · 40 Points / ₹100 (10.0%) | Uncapped | — |
| General Retail Purchases2 points per ₹100 across online and offline retail spending. | 1× · 2 Points / ₹100 (0.5%) | Uncapped | — |
Redemption options
Redeem points directly on irctc.co.in for free train tickets at 1 Point = ₹0.25.
| Redemption Channel | Value Per Point | Minimum | Ceiling / Limits | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IRCTC Train Ticket BookingsBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 500 pts | None | Nil |
| BOBCARD Statement Cash CreditBEST VALUE | ₹0.25 / Reward Point | 1,000 pts | None | Nil |
Reward Scope: Inclusions & Exclusions
✓Eligible Spends (Inclusions)
- +irctc.co.in, IRCTC Rail Connect app, AC train bookings, and railway executive lounges.
- +RuPay UPI merchant QR scan payments.
- +1% fuel surcharge waiver across India.
✕Excluded Spends & Fee Traps
- −Non-AC sleeper and unreserved train tickets (earn standard base rate).
- −ATM cash withdrawals.
Fee Schedule & Waiver Criteria
| Fee Component | Amount / Rate |
|---|---|
| Joining Fee | ₹499 + GST (Includes 1,000 Welcome Reward Points) |
| Annual Renewal Fee | ₹499 + GST (Waived on ₹50,000 annual spend) |
| Finance Charges (Interest Rate) | 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum) |
| Foreign Currency Markup | 3.50% + GST |
| Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% waiver on ₹400 to ₹5,000 transactions (Max ₹250/month) |
Eligibility & Approval Criteria
| Criteria | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age Requirement | 21 to 65 years |
| Minimum Monthly Income | ₹20,000+ per month (Salaried) or ₹3L+ ITR (Self-Employed) |
| Credit Score (CIBIL) | 710+ recommended for smooth approval |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IRCTC BOBCARD offer airport lounge access?
What are the MITC charges, annual fees, and interest rates for IRCTC BOBCARD?
What is the reward rate and point redemption value on IRCTC BOBCARD?
Which transactions are excluded from earning rewards on IRCTC BOBCARD?
Who is IRCTC BOBCARD best suited for in 2026?
Editorial Deep-Dive Analysis
Comprehensive Overview: IRCTC BOBCARD
The IRCTC BOBCARD is Bank of Baroda’s dedicated co-branded railway transit credit card, engineered in partnership with the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Issued on the RuPay payment network with an accessible annual fee of ₹499 + GST (joining fee ₹500, annual renewal fee ₹350 + GST), renewal charges are completely waived upon achieving ₹50,000 in eligible retail spending within the previous card anniversary year.
Engineered specifically for frequent rail commuters, interstate travelers, and families who rely on the Indian Railways network, the card turns routine train ticket bookings into exceptional savings. Cardholders earn up to 40 reward points per ₹100 spent (up to 10% valueback at 1 point = ₹0.25) on AC train tickets (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC, EC) booked through irctc.co.in or the IRCTC Rail Connect app, 1% transaction charge waiver on railway tickets, 4 complimentary railway executive lounge visits annually, and 500 welcome bonus reward points.
Key Privileges and Practical Everyday Benefits
- Up to 10% Valueback on AC Train Tickets: Earn up to 40 reward points per ₹100 spent (10% return) on AC train reservations (1AC, 2AC, 3AC, Executive Chair Car) booked directly on IRCTC web or mobile channels.
- IRCTC Transaction Fee Waiver: Enjoy a 1% transaction charge waiver on all train reservations booked via the official IRCTC portal and Rail Connect mobile application.
- Complimentary Railway Executive Lounge Access: 1 complimentary visit per calendar quarter (up to 4 visits annually) at designated IRCTC Executive Lounges across major Indian railway stations (New Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Madurai, etc.).
- Accelerated Departmental Grocery Rewards: Earn 4 reward points per ₹100 spent (1.0% return) on supermarket and departmental store purchases, and 2 reward points per ₹100 on other retail categories.
- Welcome Bonus Rewards & Fuel Surcharge Savings: Receive 500 bonus reward points (₹125 value) upon spending ₹5,000 or more within 60 days of card issuance, plus a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions between ₹400 and ₹5,000 (up to ₹100 per cycle).
Important Terms and Spend Conditions to Keep in Mind
- AC Train Booking Qualification: The 10% reward rate applies strictly to AC class reservations booked on official IRCTC platforms with the card linked to your IRCTC loyalty account.
- Points Redemption on IRCTC: Accumulated reward points can be redeemed to book train tickets directly on the IRCTC loyalty portal where points offset travel fares.
- Excluded Spend Categories: Fuel transactions, ATM cash withdrawals, wallet top-ups, and rent payments do not earn reward points.
- Annual Spend Waiver Target: Full renewal fee waiver requires achieving ₹50,000 or more in eligible retail spending within the preceding anniversary year.
- Finance Charges (APR): Unpaid revolving statement balances attract standard interest charges of 3.49% per month (41.88% per annum).
Who Benefits Most
- Frequent Railway Travelers: Commuters and professionals who book AC train tickets regularly for interstate business or family travel.
- Rail Transit Users: Passengers who appreciate comfortable executive railway lounges and zero IRCTC booking fees.
- Value-Conscious Commuters: Spenders who want train travel rewards paired with supermarket grocery returns under ₹500 annual fee.
- Bank of Baroda / BOBCARD — IRCTC BOBCARD Credit Card official schedule of charges and MITC
- IRCTC Co-Branded Partnership — 40 pts / ₹100 AC train tickets, 1% transaction fee waiver & railway executive lounge terms
Independent Editorial & Statutory Disclaimers
Institutional Transparency & Nominative Fair Use Statement
CredSutra operates as an independent credit card discovery and consumer intelligence engine. CredSutra is NOT a bank, Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC), Direct Selling Agent (DSA), or Lending Service Provider (LSP).