Key Takeaways
- Annual fee is just ₹350 + GST (joining fee ₹500 + GST), with no spend-based fee waiver condition - one of the most affordable co-branded travel cards in India.
- The card earns up to 40 reward points per ₹100 on IRCTC train bookings - but this rate is seasonal. Peak season (15 Jan–31 Mar and 15 Jul–15 Sep) gives 40 RP/₹100; off-peak gives 16 RP/₹100.
- Accelerated points apply only to AC classes - 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC (Chair Car), and EC (Executive Chair Car). Sleeper and second class bookings earn base rate only.
- Points are capped at 1,000 RP per statement cycle on the accelerated earn categories - the maximum monthly IRCTC spend that earns the 40x rate is ₹2,500.
- 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25 as statement credit, or can be converted to IRCTC Travel Points (conversion: 4 BOBCARD RP = 1 IRCTC Travel Point) for ticket redemption.
- 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per year (1 per quarter) - a meaningful benefit for regular train travellers who spend time at major stations.
- The card runs on the RuPay network - accepted on UPI, which earns base reward points (but not accelerated earn) on every UPI transaction.
- Linking your loyalty number to your IRCTC account is mandatory before any accelerated points credit. Without this step, the card earns only base rate on IRCTC spends.
How the Reward Structure Actually Works
The IRCTC BOBCARD card has a deceptively simple headline - "up to 40 RP per ₹100" - but three conditions determine whether you actually earn it.
Condition 1 - Travel Date Season
The earn rate on IRCTC bookings varies by the travel date (not the booking date):
| Travel Date Period | Reward Points per ₹100 on IRCTC | Effective Return (at ₹0.25/RP) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Jan – 31 Mar (peak) | 40 RP | 10% |
| 15 Jul – 15 Sep (peak) | 40 RP | 10% |
| 1 Apr – 14 Jul (off-peak) | 16 RP | 4% |
| 16 Sep – 14 Jan (off-peak) | 16 RP | 4% |
Source: bobcard.co.in/credit-card-types/irctc-credit-card. Verified May 2026.
The peak periods cover two of India's three major travel windows - winter and monsoon travel. The summer peak (April–June) falls in the off-peak rate window, which is a meaningful limitation.
Condition 2 - Travel Class Restriction
Accelerated earn applies only to bookings in 1AC, 2AC, 3AC, CC (Chair Car), and EC (Executive Chair Car). Bookings in Sleeper Class (SL) or Second Class (2S) earn only the base rate of 2 RP/₹100.
For most office-going, regular train travellers who book 3AC - this is fine. For budget travellers primarily using Sleeper, the card's headline earn rate is essentially irrelevant.
Condition 3 - Loyalty Number Linking (Mandatory)
The accelerated earn does not happen automatically. Before your first IRCTC booking with the card, you must:
- Check your IRCTC BOBCARD for your 11-digit loyalty number (printed on the card, activated after your first statement).
- Log in to your IRCTC account online.
- Go to Loyalty → Add Loyalty Account and enter the 11-digit number.
- Verify with OTP on your registered mobile number.
Without completing this linking, all IRCTC transactions earn only the base 2 RP/₹100 regardless of season or class. This is the most common reason cardholders report not receiving expected reward points.
The Monthly Cap: Where the Maths Gets Honest
Both the 40 RP/₹100 (IRCTC bookings) and 4 RP/₹100 (departmental stores and grocery) accelerated rates are capped at a shared 1,000 RP per statement cycle.
At 40 RP/₹100, the cap is reached at just ₹2,500 of IRCTC spend per month. A return 3AC ticket from Mumbai to Delhi on IRCTC costs approximately ₹3,000–₹4,500 depending on train and booking window - likely exceeding the monthly cap in a single transaction. Spend above the cap earns only 2 RP/₹100.
This cap is the most significant limitation of the card for heavy IRCTC users. It is important to know before assuming the 10% return scales linearly with spend.
Other Benefits Worth Knowing
IRCTC Transaction Surcharge Waiver - 1%
When booking on IRCTC with this card, the 1% transaction surcharge levied by IRCTC is waived. On a ₹3,000 ticket, that is ₹30 saved immediately - a small but consistent saving on every booking.
Complimentary Railway Lounge Access - 4 Per Year
The card gives 1 complimentary visit to partner railway lounges per quarter (4 total per year). This benefit requires presenting a valid, unexpired IRCTC BOBCARD and a railway ticket at the lounge entrance. A ₹2 authentication charge is deducted from the card. Only the primary cardholder qualifies - add-on cardholders and guests are excluded.
Railway lounges at major stations (available at select A1 category stations) offer AC seating, charging points, Wi-Fi, and refreshments. For passengers with long wait times between connections, this is a tangible comfort benefit.
BOBCARD SmartDeal - Accelerated Travel Earn
For travel beyond trains, the card earns accelerated points on bookings through BOBCARD SmartDeal (the in-app travel portal):
- 8 RP per ₹150 on flight bookings
- 20 RP per ₹150 on hotel bookings
These rates make occasional flight and hotel bookings through SmartDeal meaningfully rewarding - particularly for travel beyond the rail network.
RuPay UPI Compatibility
The card works on UPI through all major apps - BHIM, Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm. UPI transactions earn the base 2 RP/₹100 - the same as non-IRCTC spending. UPI transactions do not qualify for joining rewards or the accelerated IRCTC earn. For everyday UPI use, the card functions as a basic cashback card at 0.5% return.
Welcome Bonus and Joining Benefit
- 500 bonus reward points on spending ₹5,000 within 60 days of card issuance
- Additionally, on spending ₹1,000+ within 45 days: 1,000 bonus reward points plus a complimentary Access.IRCTC Card (with an additional 1,000 bonus points linked to the Access card)
Combined, new cardholders who meet the spend triggers can receive approximately 2,500–3,000 bonus reward points in the first two months - worth ₹625–₹750 as statement credit, more if converted to IRCTC Travel Points.
Fees and Charges at a Glance
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Joining fee | ₹500 + GST |
| Annual/renewal fee | ₹350 + GST |
| Annual fee waiver | No spend-based waiver - fee applies every year |
| Interest rate | 3.75% per month (45% per annum) |
| Cash advance fee | 2.5% of amount or ₹500, whichever is higher |
| Forex markup | 3.5% of transaction amount |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% on transactions ₹500–₹3,000, max ₹100/statement |
Source: cardinsider.com, bobcard.co.in. Verify current charges at bobcard.co.in/most-important-terms-and-conditions.
Note: The interest rate on the IRCTC BOBCARD (3.75%/month = 45% p.a.) is higher than BOBCARD's standard rate of 3.49%/month. Pay the full statement balance every month - at 45% p.a., carrying a balance wipes out the entire annual saving from reward points within the first missed payment.
How It Compares to the IRCTC SBI Platinum RuPay Card
The IRCTC SBI Platinum RuPay card is the most direct competitor. Both offer approximately 10% value-back on IRCTC bookings in their headline rates.
| Feature | IRCTC BOBCARD RuPay | IRCTC SBI Platinum RuPay |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹350 + GST | ₹500 + GST |
| IRCTC earn rate | Up to 40 RP/₹100 (seasonal) | 10% value-back (via reward points) |
| Points cap | 1,000 RP/statement | Similar caps apply |
| Redemption | Statement credit OR IRCTC tickets | IRCTC tickets and catalogue |
| Railway lounge | 4 visits/year | 4 visits/year |
| Interest rate | 3.75%/month | 3.50%/month |
| Fee waiver | None | ₹1,00,000 annual spend |
The key practical differentiator: The IRCTC BOBCARD allows redemption as statement credit at ₹0.25/RP - not just for IRCTC tickets. This flexibility means accumulated points have utility even when you are not booking travel, which is a genuine advantage over cards that force ticket-only redemptions.
Who Should Apply
Apply if:
- You book train travel through IRCTC at least twice a month in AC classes
- You travel on routes with good IRCTC availability (metro-to-metro, Rajdhani/Shatabdi routes)
- You want a low-cost RuPay card that also works on UPI for all daily payments
- You value railway lounge access and book travel in peak season (Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep)
Do not apply if:
- You primarily travel in Sleeper class - accelerated earn does not apply
- You are looking for a general-purpose rewards card for dining, online shopping, or fuel
- You need a card for international travel - the 3.5% forex markup and 45% interest rate make it unsuitable abroad
- You want an annual fee waiver option - this card charges ₹350 every year without exception
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All earn rates, fees, and conditions are sourced from bobcard.co.in and verified aggregator sources as of May 2026. BOBCARD and IRCTC may update terms - always verify at bobcard.co.in/most-important-terms-and-conditions before applying. Card issuance is at BOBCARD Limited's sole discretion. BOBCARD Limited (formerly BOB Financial Solutions Limited) is a 100% subsidiary of Bank of Baroda and an RBI-regulated entity.
