HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs SBI IRCTC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
SBI IRCTC Premier wins 6-3. Heavy IRCTC train booking users. HDFC Marriott Bonvoy is still the right call if marriott loyalists — every ₹150 = 8 bonvoy points on marriott + 2 elsewhere..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC Marriott Bonvoy | SBI IRCTC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | · 8% (travel) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1.25% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status | = 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹800,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,500,000 | ₹300,000 |
| Min credit score | · 770 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.5/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy
- 8 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on Marriott
- 4 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on travel + dining
- 2 Bonvoy points per ₹150 on everything else
- 1 free night annually at Marriott (up to 15K Bonvoy point value)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status (15 elite night credits)
- 8 international + 8 domestic lounge visits/year
SBI IRCTC Premier
- 10% IRCTC reward points on train ticket bookings
- 1.25% on other spends
- 4 IRCTC lounge visits/year
- 1% transaction fee waiver on IRCTC site
FAQ
›HDFC Marriott Bonvoy vs SBI IRCTC Premier: which is better?
SBI IRCTC Premier wins on more dimensions (6 vs 3). But the right answer depends on your specific spending pattern — see the calculator below.
›Can I get both?
Yes — if your credit profile supports it, holding both is the optimal play. Use HDFC Marriott Bonvoy for its best categories, SBI IRCTC Premier for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
HDFC Marriott Bonvoy: 1 free night at any Marriott property + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite status. SBI IRCTC Premier: 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend.