Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
ICICI Sapphiro vs SBI IRCTC Premier
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
Premium
ICICI Bank
ICICI Sapphiro
VISA
Wins 1 of 10
IN
SBI Card
SBI IRCTC Premier
VISA
Wins 7 of 10
Verdict
SBI IRCTC Premier wins 7-1. Heavy IRCTC train booking users. ICICI Sapphiro is still the right call if mid-premium with strong dining + travel mix..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | ICICI Sapphiro | SBI IRCTC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,500 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹6,500 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | · 1% (general) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 1.25% |
| Forex markup | = 3.5% | = 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500 | = 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹600,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,000,000 | ₹300,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.3/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
ICICI Sapphiro
- 4 PAYBACK points per ₹100
- 2 complimentary international + 4 domestic lounge visits/year
- 15% off at 800+ restaurants (Culinary Treats)
- 25% off BookMyShow tickets
- Comprehensive travel insurance
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
›ICICI Sapphiro vs SBI IRCTC Premier: which is better?
SBI IRCTC Premier 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 ICICI Sapphiro 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?
ICICI Sapphiro: 10,000 reward points worth ₹2,500. SBI IRCTC Premier: 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend.