Idfc First Millennia Credit Card vs SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card and the SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card both offer complimentary railway lounge access and rewards tailored to specific spending categories. While the Idfc First card has no joining or renewal fees, the SBI IRCTC card charges an annual fee of Rs.500 with milestone rewards. Both cards carry a 3.5% forex markup and provide fuel surcharge waivers, but they differ in reward structures and lounge visit frequencies.
Comparison notes and quick badges use AI, grounded in the benefit data shown in the table. Confirm details on each issuer’s site.
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| Feature | Idfc First Millennia Credit Card | SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | IDFC First Bank | SBI Cards |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Joining fee | No Joining Fees | — |
| Annual / renewal fee | No Annual Fee | Annual Fee of Rs.500 |
| Reward rate (headline) | 10X Reward Points on Crossing Spends of Rs.20000 | Earn 1 Reward Points Per Rs.125 Spent on Retail |
| Lounge — domestic | 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Visits Per Quarter | Enjoy 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Access in a Year |
| Welcome benefit | Welcome Gift Voucher Rs.500 on Spending Rs.5000 | Welcome Benefits - 350 activation Bonus Reward Points |
| Milestone benefit | — | Milestone benefits - Earn 500 Reward Points |
| Foreign currency markup | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card offers higher reward point multipliers such as 10X points on spends above Rs.20,000 and on birthdays, along with 3X points up to Rs.20,000 in spends, making it more rewarding for diverse spends. Its reward points also convert at Rs.0.25 per point. The SBI IRCTC card focuses on travel-related rewards, offering up to 10% value back as reward points primarily on IRCTC spends, with 1 point per Rs.125 on retail spends and a welcome bonus of 350 points. Its reward points have a higher redemption value of Rs.1 per point but are more niche to travel. Overall, the Idfc First card provides broader reward opportunities while SBI IRCTC is more travel-centric.
Which is better for travel?
Both cards provide complimentary railway lounge access, with the Idfc First Millennia card offering 4 visits per quarter and the SBI IRCTC card providing 4 visits per year. The Idfc First card thus offers more frequent lounge access domestically. Both cards have the same forex markup of 3.5%, which is relatively high and should be considered by frequent international travelers. The SBI IRCTC card’s rewards are more aligned with travel on IRCTC, making it suitable for frequent train travelers, whereas the Idfc First card offers general travel benefits without a co-brand tie-up.
Which has lower effective cost?
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card has no joining or annual fees, making it a low-cost option for users seeking rewards without recurring charges. The SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum card charges an annual fee of Rs.500, which can be offset partially through milestone rewards of 500 points. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver, but the Idfc First card also charges Rs.199 for card replacement. Overall, the Idfc First card is more cost-effective for users who want to avoid annual fees.
Reward Redemption Value
The Idfc First Millennia card offers reward redemption at Rs.0.25 per point, which is a straightforward conversion rate. In contrast, the SBI IRCTC card’s reward points redeem at Rs.1 per point but primarily for IRCTC travel-related redemptions, making it more specialized.
Railway Lounge Access Frequency
Idfc First Millennia Credit Card provides 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter, totaling up to 16 visits per year, whereas the SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card offers 4 visits per year. This makes the Idfc First card more beneficial for frequent railway travelers seeking lounge comfort.
Who should pick Idfc First Millennia Credit Card?
Consider Idfc First Millennia Credit Card if you prefer a no-fee credit card with versatile and higher reward point multipliers across various spends including birthdays and utility bills. It is suitable for users who want more frequent complimentary railway lounge access and a straightforward reward redemption rate. This card is also a good choice if you want to avoid annual fees and still earn meaningful rewards on everyday and milestone spends.
Who should pick SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card?
Consider SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card if you frequently travel by train and want rewards that are closely tied to IRCTC bookings, with up to 10% value back on such spends. It is suitable for users who can utilize the annual fee benefits through milestone rewards and prefer a card that integrates well with travel on the IRCTC platform. This card also offers a decent welcome bonus and basic railway lounge access annually.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card has no joining or annual fees, while the SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card charges an annual fee of Rs.500.
Both cards charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% on foreign currency transactions.
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card offers 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter, whereas the SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card offers 4 visits in a year.
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card offers higher reward multipliers on general spends including 10X points on spends above Rs.20,000 and on birthdays, while the SBI IRCTC card focuses on travel-related rewards.
The Idfc First Millennia Credit Card offers a welcome gift voucher worth Rs.500 on spending Rs.5,000, whereas the SBI IRCTC card provides 350 activation bonus reward points.
Yes, both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on fuel transactions.