SBI IRCTC Premier vs IDFC FIRST Wow
Side-by-side comparison across fees, rewards, welcome bonuses, and eligibility.
IDFC FIRST Wow wins 6-3. Secured card backed by FD — accessible to thin-credit-file applicants. SBI IRCTC Premier is still the right call if heavy irctc train booking users..
Side-by-side
| Criterion | SBI IRCTC Premier | IDFC FIRST Wow |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | · ₹1,499 | No annual fee |
| Joining fee | · ₹1,499 | None |
| Top reward rate | 10% (travel) | · 1% (general) |
| Base reward rate | 1.25% | · 1% |
| Forex markup | · 3.5% | No FX fee |
| Welcome bonus | = 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend | = Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction |
| Fee waiver threshold | ₹200,000 / yr | · N/A (no fee) |
| Min income | · ₹300,000 | — |
| Min credit score | · 740 | 600 |
| Editorial rating | · 3.9/5 | 4/5 |
Benefits compared
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
IDFC FIRST Wow
- 1 reward point per ₹100 (no rate change cliff)
- Lifetime free, no annual fee
- 4 complimentary domestic lounge visits/quarter
- 1% fuel surcharge waiver
- Backed by FD: easy approval
FAQ
›SBI IRCTC Premier vs IDFC FIRST Wow: which is better?
IDFC FIRST Wow 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 SBI IRCTC Premier for its best categories, IDFC FIRST Wow for its best categories. Just watch the combined annual fees against your spend.
›Which one has the better welcome bonus?
SBI IRCTC Premier: 1,500 reward points + waived first-year fee on ₹1L spend. IDFC FIRST Wow: Lifetime free + 600 points on first transaction.