Railways have always had a significant impact on the lives of people in this country, whether for daily commutes or important vacations. It has consistently been a popular travel option for Indians. Several credit cards offer railway lounge access as well as access to international and domestic airport lounges. In this article, we will discuss credit cards that provide the maximum benefits and railway access.
Credit card issuers that offer the features of railway lounges are SBI, HDFC, BOBCARD, IDFC, and AU Bank. Most of the cards provided by these financial institutions are travel-focused. While complimentary lounge access benefits are provided, some credit cards are also well-suited for shopping and dining and offer lounge benefits.
List of Credit Cards With Complimentary Railway Lounge Access
As mentioned above, if you are a frequent traveler who prefers railways as the mode of transport, you can spend extra time at various lounges available at different Railway stations across India. A few credit cards are providing complimentary railway lounge access privileges for their customers. Here are the following credit cards and their benefits
Up To 10% Value Back As Reward Points On IRCTC Train Bookings (AC1, AC2, AC3, Executive Chair Car & Chair Car). Earn 3 Reward Points Per ₹125 Spent On Dining and Utility
Welcome Benefits
1,500 Reward Points
Card Details +
IRCTC SBI Premier card is best suited for traveling purposes with a joining fee of just Rs. 1499 + applicable taxes. With this card, you get rewards for every purchase and many more benefits. Apart from the rewards and other benefits, you can save a certain amount of money on your plane ticket. The benefits of having this card are –
A welcome gift of 1,500 reward points.
For every Rs. 125 spent on dining and utility, you will earn 3 reward points, and 1 reward point on every Rs. 125 you spend on non-fuel-related purchases.
Complimentary access to railway lounges per year – 8 per year and a maximum of 2 every quarter within the country.
On hitting a milestone spend mark, you will get up to 5,000 bonus reward points.
Accommodation at more than 5,000 hotels across 350 different cities in India.
5 RPs/₹200 Spent on Train Bookings and 2 RPs/₹200 Spent on Hotel/Flights/Cruise Bookings (All Bookings to be Made With IRCTC). 1 RP/₹200 Spent on Other Eligible Purchases
Welcome Benefits
500 Reward Points
Card Details +
The IRCTC RBL RuPay Credit Card is an ideal option for frequent travelers who book through the IRCTC platform and rely on public transportation. With a low joining and annual fee of ₹500, this card provides a rewarding experience, offering 5 Reward Points for every ₹200 spent on train bookings, translating to a 2.5% reward rate. Additionally, it includes 2 reward points for flight, hotel, and cruise bookings through IRCTC, complimentary railway lounge access, the convenience of UPI payments, and the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) feature. For regular commuters, this card delivers significant value with enhanced travel benefits.
350 Reward Points on a Minimum Transaction of ₹500 Within 45 Days of Receiving the Card
Card Details +
SBI is among the top card issuers in the country. The credit card giant partnered with Indian Railways to launch the IRCTC SBI Platinum RuPay credit card, which charges an annual fee of ₹500 plus applicable taxes. The card is great for Indian railway users because, in addition to the welcome benefit, it also offers 10% value back on train ticket booking as reward points.
5X Reward Points/₹100 for IRCTC Bookings and 1 Reward Point/₹100 for Other Valid Spends. An Additional 5% Cashback Can Be Earned for Rail Bookings Via SmartBuy
Welcome Benefits
Amazon Voucher Worth ₹500
Card Details +
IRCTC HDFC RUPAY CREDIT CARD is an extraordinary credit card that exists because of three big brand names. IRCTC, HDFC, and RuPay are the three brands that provide exceptional benefits for their consumers, such as reward points, cashback, discounts, and many other complimentary things. Here are some key features presented –
A gift voucher worth Rs.500 on card activation within the initial first 30 days of card issuance.
5 reward points for every Rs.100 spent on the IRCTC website and Rail Connect app.
1 reward point for every Rs. 100 spent on other purchases
5% cashback on ticket booking with the help of HDFC Bank SmartBuy
8 complimentary railway lounge access (max 2 per quarter).
1% transaction charges waived on transactions done on the IRCTC transaction portal or Rail connect app.
10X Reward Points/₹150 on Incremental Spends Above ₹20,000 Per Statement Cycle. 5X Reward Points/₹150 on Spends Upto ₹20,000. 3X RPs Are Also Awarded for Rent, Wallet Load, Education, and Government Transactions
Welcome Benefits
Up to 7,500 Reward Points
Card Details +
The IDFC First Bank Ashva Credit Card is a mid-range credit card offering numerous benefits for travelers and shoppers alike. Whether looking to travel via rail or air, this card offers complimentary airport and railway lounge access, allowing cardholders to rest in comfort. Primary and add-on Ashva Metal Credit Cardholders can avail upto 16 free visits to railway lounges across India.
5 Reward Points Per ₹200 On Online, Offline & UPI Transactions (Reward Rate – 1.25%)
Welcome Benefits
1,000 RPs and ₹1,000 ixigo Money Voucher on First Transaction Within 30 Days of Card Issuance
Card Details +
If you’re a traveler exploring India, this card can be invaluable. While it only offers one international airport lounge access, there are many discounts and benefits to enjoy. You can also avail of 8 complimentary railway lounge access with the ixigo AU Bank Credit Card.
1.5% cashback on all POS retail spends, 1 Reward Point per Rs. 100 spent after reaching the maximum cashback limit.
Welcome Benefits
N/A
Card Details +
AU ALTURA PLUS CREDIT CARD is a card with which you can earn unlimited reward points and cashback while enjoying the exclusive benefits of railway lounges. The reward points that you get through spending the money you can also redeem against flights or hotel bookings. Here are a few traveling benefits you can get with this card –
1.5% cash back on all POS retail spends
1 reward point on every Rs.100 spent after you reach the maximum cashback limit
2x reward points on every online transaction with no maximum cap on reward points
500 bonus points on spending ₹20,000 in a calendar month
4 Reward Points per Rs. 100 you spend on grocery & departmental stores and 2 Reward Points on other categories respectively. Upto 40 RP on every Rs. 100 spent on railway tickets booked through IRCTC
Welcome Benefits
500 Bonus Reward Points on Spending ₹5,000 Within the First 60 Days of Card Issuance
Card Details +
BOBCARD is known for providing great credit cards with numerous benefits, and BOB IRCTC RUPAY CREDIT CARD is an add-on to that list. This credit card has great features like 40 reward points for every ₹100 spent on the IRCTC website and 4 reward points on groceries and departmental stores as well. The list has an add-on when it comes to complimentary lounge access and much more, which are mentioned in the following –
40 reward points on every ₹100 spent on the IRCTC website for ticket booking.
4 reward points on every ₹100 spent on groceries and departmental stores.
2 reward points on every ₹100 spent on other miscellaneous purchases
1% transactional charge saving on train tickets when booked from the IRCTC website and Mobile application
4 complimentary lounge access in a year, 1 per quarter
Earn 10X Reward Points Per ₹200 on Dining, Travel & International Spends, 3X on Regular and UPI Spends Above ₹2,000, and 1X on Insurance, Utilities, Railways, FASTag and UPI Spends Up to ₹2,000
Welcome Benefits
₹500 Voucher from Uber, Amazon, and Bigbasket on Spending ₹5,000 Within 30 Days of Card Issuance. 5% Cashback Upto ₹1,000 on the First EMI Transaction
Card Details +
IDFC’S FIRST WEALTH CREDIT CARD is a top-notch credit card that comes with premium features just like the other credit cards by IDFC, with a low interest rate of 0.75% – 3.5% per month. This credit card does not have any annual or joining fee and has many benefits, like buy one and get one movie ticket and dining offers with over 1,500 restaurants; below are some other benefits provided by the card –
Welcome voucher worth ₹500 on spending more than ₹5,000 in the initial 30 days of the card generation.
Interest-free cash withdrawal anywhere in the world.
Complementary access to railway lounges and domestic and international airport lounges.
Credit Card With Free Railway Lounge Access
Credit cards charge a joining fee, which is different for every card. Here is an overview of all the cards providing railway lounge access throughout the country, along with the max cap per quarter and their joining fee –
Credit Card
Fees
Railway Lounge Access
IRCTC SBI Card Premier
₹1,499 + applicable taxes
8 per year and a maximum of 2 every quarter
IRCTC RBL Bank Credit Card
₹500 + GST
2 Complimentary Railway Lounge Visits Each Quarter (8 Each Year)
IRCTC RuPay SBI Credit Card
₹500 + GST
4 complimentary railway lounge access in a year (max 1 per quarter)
IRCTC HDFC Credit Card
₹500 + GST
8 per year and a maximum of 2 every quarter
IDFC First Bank Ashva Metal Credit Card
₹2,999 + GST
4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Access Each Quarter, 16 Each Year (For Both Primary and Add-On Cardholders)
ixigo AU Credit Card
Nil
8 Complimentary Visits Each Year
IRCTC BOBCARD RuPay Credit Card
₹500 + GST
4 complimentary railway lounge access in a year (max 1 per quarter)
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card
Nil
4 Free Railway Lounge Visits Each Quarter on Spends of ₹20,000 or More in a Month
Benefit of a Credit Card With Free Lounge Access
If you are a regular traveller and like to or have to use trains a lot, you can save an ample amount of money on your travel every time. Having travel credit cards that provide railway lounge access can be a boon for those who have to wait in the railway station for hours waiting for their trains to come. For example, if you are a non-credit card user and you wish to avail yourself of the lounge, this can cost you a lot. In contrast, if we are talking about credit card users who already have a credit card with the lounge access benefit, they can show their credit cards at the reception area and enter the lounge.
Railway Lounges in India
All these above-mentioned credit cards provide railway lounge access up to a certain visit; the railway lounges that can be accessed by these cards are spread throughout the whole country. Sometimes, it is hard to determine whether the card you hold has access to that particular railway lounge or not. To help in these kinds of situations, here is a table consisting of the type of railway lounges along with the necessary detail on it –
Name
City
Address
Executive Lounge New Delhi AG
Delhi / Delhi
Platform No.16, New Delhi Railway Station Ajmeri Gate, New Delhi, Delhi 110002
Executive Lounge New Delhi PG
Delhi / Delhi
Platform No. 1, First Floor, Paharganj Side, New Delhi Railway Station, New Delhi, Delhi 1100055
Premium Lounge, Main Entrance, near Enquiry Office, Durgapur Railway Station, BC, Doctor Bidhan Chandra Roy Avenue, Durgapur, West Bengal 713201
NOTE – Not every Credit Card provides access to all of the above-mentioned lounges
Features of Lounges
These lounges are not just sitting places, there are many things that one can do while waiting for their train. The complimentary lounge access includes the following facilities –
2 hours of lounge stay
A/C installed sitting area
Washroom / Changing room availability
Buffet meal (breakfast/lunch/dinner) depending on the time of visit
Tea and Coffee – Unlimited
Free Wi-Fi and charging ports
Newspapers and Magazines for entertainment
Bottom Line
Railways are one of the major travelling modes in India so be it for long journeys or short ones. To keep these journeys comfortable for their customers, banks have made great efforts to provide us with lounge access. Although every cardholder doesn’t need to use this benefit at all cost, whenever they travel and needs to have a short stay, these railway lounges can always come into use.
When choosing which card you want to apply for with railway lounge benefits, you can go ahead and compare them along with your needs and wants. There is no such thing as the Best Credit Card; only the right credit card that will fulfil all your basic needs and help you build financial stability is the best credit card for you
FAQs:
Do credit cards offer railway lounge access?
Yes, just like airport lounge access, many credit cards provide complimentary railway lounge access to cardholders. You can relax at these lounges while waiting for your train, have food and drinks, and entertain yourself.
Which credit cards offer railway lounge access?
For people who prefer railways as their preferred mode of transport, there are several credit cards available that offer complimentary railway lounge access along with a host of other benefits and rewards. Some of the top credit cards with railway lounge access are IRCTC SBI Card Premier, HDFC Bank Rupay IRCTC Credit Card, IRCTC BOBCARD RuPay Credit Card, AU Bank Altura Credit Card, IDFC First Classic Credit Card, AU Bank Vetta Credit Card, and some more.
How do you avail of complimentary railway lounge access with your credit card?
To get access, you need to present your valid and unexpired credit card along with your railway ticket at the entrance of the participating railway lounge. Your credit card will be charged ₹2 for authentication, and this fee is non-refundable.
Is complimentary railway lounge access also for add-on credit cardholders?
No, complimentary railway lounge access is only for the primary cardholder and not for the add-on cardholders or any other accompanying guests. You need to pay for anyone accompanying you at the railway lounge. Also, after using your free visits, you will need to pay for using the railway lounge, and it won’t be free anymore. Although this is valid for many cards, there are some, like the Ashva Metal, that offer complimentary railway lounge access for both primary and add-on credit cards.
What are the facilities provided at a railway lounge?
These are the privileges you get at the railway lounges –
You can stay and rest for 2 hours inside the railway lounge.
Relax in comfortable chairs and inside the lounge’s air-conditioned area.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are based on the time of the day you visit.
You get unlimited coffee, tea, and cookies.
You can use free wifi inside the railway lounge.
You can read magazines and newspapers, watch television, listen to music, etc. for entertainment.
Which are the participating railway lounges offering free access to eligible cardholders?
These are the railway lounges that cardholders can access during their travel.
Both the IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card and the HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card are good options. However, if I had to choose one, I would go for the HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card because it offers several benefits such as a Rs. 500 Amazon voucher, 5X Cash Points on IRCTC spends, 8 complimentary access to IRCTC Executive lounges, and a Forex Markup of 3.5% of the transaction amount.
Both IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card and HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC credit Card are worth considering but if I have to chooseh one card then I would like to go with HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC credit Card as this card provides –
Amazon voucher worth Rs. 500
5X Cash Points on IRCTC spends.
8 complimentary access to IRCTC Executive lounges.
Forex Markup of 3.5% of the transaction amount.
3 comments
Ashish
Now even IDFC shall charge Rs.20,000 for free railway lounge access. Its no longer free basically.
Jatin
Both the IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card and the HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card are good options. However, if I had to choose one, I would go for the HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card because it offers several benefits such as a Rs. 500 Amazon voucher, 5X Cash Points on IRCTC spends, 8 complimentary access to IRCTC Executive lounges, and a Forex Markup of 3.5% of the transaction amount.
Anita
Both IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card and HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC credit Card are worth considering but if I have to chooseh one card then I would like to go with HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC credit Card as this card provides –
Amazon voucher worth Rs. 500
5X Cash Points on IRCTC spends.
8 complimentary access to IRCTC Executive lounges.
Forex Markup of 3.5% of the transaction amount.