Kotak White Reserve 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. Kotak White Reserve is still the right call if premium dining + travel without breaking the ₹3k-fee tier..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Kotak White Reserve | SBI IRCTC Premier |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Joining fee | · ₹3,000 | ₹1,499 |
| Top reward rate | · 4% (dining) | 10% (travel) |
| Base reward rate | 1.5% | · 1.25% |
| Forex markup | 1.99% | · 3.5% |
| Welcome bonus | = 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite | = 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend |
| Fee waiver threshold | · ₹600,000 / yr | ₹200,000 / yr |
| Min income | · ₹1,800,000 | ₹300,000 |
| Min credit score | · 780 | 740 |
| Editorial rating | 4.6/5 | · 3.9/5 |
Benefits compared
Kotak White Reserve
- 4 reward points/₹100 on dining + travel
- 6 international Priority Pass visits/year
- 24 domestic lounge visits/year (DragonPass)
- Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite included
- 1.99% forex markup
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
›Kotak White Reserve 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 Kotak White Reserve 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?
Kotak White Reserve: 5,000 reward points + Marriott Bonvoy Silver Elite. SBI IRCTC Premier: 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend.