IDFC First Millennia Credit Card vs SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?
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In short: IDFC First Millennia has the lower annual fee (none vs ₹500); IDFC First Millennia includes 4 railway lounge visits a quarter, SBI IRCTC 4 railway lounge visits a year; IDFC First Millennia has the lower forex markup (0% vs 3.5%).
| Key facts | IDFC First Millennia | SBI IRCTC |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | None | ₹500 |
| Joining fee | None | Not listed |
| Base rewards | 3X Reward Points Upto Spends ₹20000 | 1 Reward Points Per ₹125 Spent on Retail |
| Lounge access | 4 railway lounge visits a quarter | 4 railway lounge visits a year |
| Forex markup | 0% | 3.5% |
From issuer benefit data, checked 24 Oct 2026. Milestones, welcome benefits and caps are in the full table below.
What you'd earn in a year
On ₹20,000 a month with ₹5,000 at each card's top rate, the two return about the same (₹1,200 vs ₹1,920 a year after fees).
| Spend profile | IDFC First Millennia | SBI IRCTC |
|---|---|---|
| Reward value: top rate / base rate | 0.5% / 0.5% | 0.8% / 0.8% |
| ₹20,000 a month, all general spends | ₹1,200 | ₹1,920 |
| ₹20,000 a month, ₹5,000 of it at each card's top rate | ₹1,200 | ₹1,920 |
| Annual fee | None | ₹500 |
Estimates from the earn rates above, with stated cashback caps applied, before exclusions. Reward points are valued at the card's best listed redemption (often travel or vouchers via the bank's portal); cash-back on the statement is usually worth less. Annual fees may be waived on spend (see the table below).
Idfc First Millennia Credit Card shows a stronger headline earn rate in the first reward band we surface. Always confirm current fees and offers on the issuer’s site before you apply.
Last updated:
| 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 |
| Top reward rate | 3X Reward Points Upto Spends 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 |
| Fuel surcharge waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver | 1% Fuel Surcharge Waiver |
| Welcome benefit | 5% Cashback on EMI | Welcome Benefits - 350 activation Bonus Reward Points |
| Milestone benefit | — | Milestone benefits - Earn 500 Reward Points |
| Foreign currency markup | 0% - Zero Forex Markup | 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions |
Which is better for rewards?
SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card shows a higher headline earn signal in the reward summaries we index (Earn 1 Reward Points Per Rs.125 Spent on Retail vs 3X Reward Points Upto Spends Rs.20000). If you optimise for points or cashback on daily spend, start with that card’s reward bands — then model redemptions you actually use.
Which is better for travel?
SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card has richer lounge-related fields in our current benefits extract (domestic: Enjoy 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Access in a Year; international: —). Frequent flyers should still confirm guest access, visit limits and participating airports with the issuer.
Which has lower effective cost?
Renewal fee wording differs between issuers, so compare the “Annual / renewal fee” row directly: Idfc First Millennia Credit Card — No Annual Fee SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card — Annual Fee of Rs.500 Then read waiver rules; a higher published fee can still be cheaper net if you usually clear spend-based waivers.
Who should pick Idfc First Millennia Credit Card?
Consider Idfc First Millennia Credit Card if you already bank with IDFC First Bank, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Who should pick SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card?
Consider SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card if you already bank with SBI Cards, and the fee, waiver and earn rows above line up with how you spend each month. Use CardChat on that card for deeper, personalised follow-ups.
Frequently Asked Questions
From the lounge fields in our benefit data: SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card — domestic: Enjoy 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Access in a Year; international: —. Idfc First Millennia Credit Card — domestic: 4 Complimentary Railway Lounge Visits Per Quarter; international: —. Guest rules, networks and visit caps change — confirm on the IDFC First Bank and SBI Cards websites before you travel.
We could not parse both renewal fees reliably from our benefit feed for this pair. Compare the “Annual / renewal fee” row in the table above, then confirm on the IDFC First Bank and SBI Cards websites.
On the first reward band we surface, Idfc First Millennia Credit Card shows a stronger headline earn (3X Reward Points Upto Spends Rs.20000 vs Earn 1 Reward Points Per Rs.125 Spent on Retail). Category bonuses, caps and redemption value decide real-world returns — map this to where you actually spend.
Our benefit feed did not include waiver text for both cards in this comparison. Use the “Annual fee waiver” row in the table and the IDFC First Bank and SBI Cards websites for spend-based waiver conditions.
Idfc First Millennia Credit Card: 0% - Zero Forex Markup SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card: 3.5% - Foreign Currency Transactions Lower published foreign-currency markup is usually better for overseas and foreign-currency online spend; confirm the live rate and exclusions on the IDFC First Bank and SBI Cards websites.
Idfc First Millennia Credit Card: 5% Cashback on EMI SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card: Welcome Benefits - 350 activation Bonus Reward Points Welcome campaigns are time-bound — verify eligibility and fulfilment on the IDFC First Bank and SBI Cards websites.