Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
HDFC MoneyBack+ vs SBI IRCTC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC MoneyBack+
VISA
Wins 7 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI IRCTC Premier
VISA
Wins 1 of 10
Verdict
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins 7-1. Entry-level cashback with very low waiver bar. SBI IRCTC Premier is still the right call if heavy irctc train booking users..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | HDFC MoneyBack+ | SBI IRCTC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | ₹500 | · ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | ₹500 | · ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | · 5% (shopping) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 2% | · 1.25% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction | = 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹50,000 / yr | · ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | ₹240,000 | · ₹300,000 |
| Min credit score | 720 | · 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.1/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
HDFC MoneyBack+
- 5% on Amazon, Flipkart, Big Basket, Reliance Smart Bazaar (capped ₹1K/month)
- 2% on EMI transactions
- 1 fuel surcharge waiver
- Quarterly milestone vouchers
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 MoneyBack+ vs SBI IRCTC Premier: which is better?
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins on more dimensions (7 vs 1). 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 MoneyBack+ 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 MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction. SBI IRCTC Premier: 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend.