Head-to-head · 🇮🇳 India
IRCTC SBI Premier vs HDFC MoneyBack+
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IN
SBI Card
IRCTC SBI Premier
RuPay
Wins 1 of 10
IN
HDFC Bank
HDFC MoneyBack+
VISA
Wins 7 of 10
Verdict
HDFC MoneyBack+ wins 7-1. Entry-level cashback with very low waiver bar. IRCTC SBI Premier is still the right call if frequent rail travelers — 10% irctc train ticket value back..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | IRCTC SBI Premier | HDFC MoneyBack+ |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹1,499 | ₹500 |
| Joining fee | · ₹1,499 | ₹500 |
| Top reward rate | 10% (travel) | · 5% (shopping) |
| Base reward rate | · 1% | 2% |
| Forex markup | · 4% | 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 1,500 IRCTC reward points | = 500 CashPoints on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹200,000 / yr | ₹50,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹360,000 | ₹240,000 |
| Min credit score | = 720 | = 720 |
| Editorial rating | · 4/5 | 4.1/5 |
Benefits compared
IRCTC SBI Premier
- 10% rewards on IRCTC train ticket bookings
- 4 reward points per ₹125 on dining + groceries
- Up to 5% railway lounge access discount
- 8 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits/year
- 4% forex markup (high — not for international)
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
FAQ
›IRCTC SBI Premier vs HDFC MoneyBack+: 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 IRCTC SBI Premier for its best categories, HDFC MoneyBack+ for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
IRCTC SBI Premier: 1,500 IRCTC reward points. HDFC MoneyBack+: 500 CashPoints on first transaction.