Idfc First Millennia Credit Card vs SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card: Which is Better in 2026?

Which is better for rewards?

When it comes to rewards, the Idfc First Millennia Credit Card offers a versatile reward points system including 10X points on birthdays and on crossing certain spending thresholds, which can be redeemed at a rate of Rs.0.25 per point. It also provides 3X points on spends up to Rs.20,000 and 1X points on insurance and utility bill payments. In contrast, the SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card offers up to 10% value back as reward points primarily on IRCTC spends and 1 point per Rs.125 on retail spends, with a higher redemption value of Rs.1 per point but also charges a Rs.99 redemption fee. Overall, Idfc First Millennia provides more diverse and potentially higher rewards for general spending, while SBI IRCTC is more focused on travel-related rewards.

Which is better for travel?

For travel benefits, both cards offer complimentary railway lounge access, but Idfc First Millennia provides 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter, whereas the SBI IRCTC card offers 4 complimentary visits in a year, making the former more generous in this aspect. Neither card offers international lounge access. The SBI IRCTC card’s rewards are also tailored towards travel on IRCTC, making it more suitable for frequent train travelers. Both cards have the same forex markup fee of 3.5%, which is relatively high for foreign currency transactions.

Which has lower effective cost?

In terms of fees, the Idfc First Millennia Credit Card stands out with no joining or annual fees, making it a cost-effective option for users who want to avoid recurring charges. The SBI IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card charges an annual fee of Rs.500, which is waived only upon payment of renewal fees and milestone benefits. Both cards offer a 1% fuel surcharge waiver. The SBI IRCTC card also charges a Rs.99 fee for reward redemption, which adds to its cost. Overall, Idfc First Millennia is the lower-fee option with simpler cost structure.

Reward Redemption Value and Fees

Idfc First Millennia allows reward points to be redeemed at Rs.0.25 per point with no redemption fee, making it easier to utilize points for various spends. SBI IRCTC card offers a higher redemption value of Rs.1 per point but charges Rs.99 as a reward redemption fee, which could offset some benefits depending on usage.

Railway Lounge Access Frequency

Idfc First Millennia provides 4 complimentary railway lounge visits per quarter, totaling up to 16 visits annually, whereas SBI IRCTC card offers only 4 complimentary visits per year. This makes the Idfc First card more attractive for frequent travelers seeking lounge access.

Who should pick Idfc First Millennia Credit Card?

Consider Idfc First Millennia Credit Card if you prefer a no-fee credit card with a flexible and rewarding points system that benefits birthday spends, utilities, and general purchases. This card is suitable for users looking for more frequent complimentary railway lounge access and a straightforward fee structure without annual charges.

Who should pick SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card?

Consider SBI Cards IRCTC Visa Platinum Credit Card if you are a frequent train traveler who can maximize travel-related rewards and value back on IRCTC spends. Despite the annual fee, the card’s rewards tailored to IRCTC and travel-related benefits may offer better value for users focused on railway travel and related expenses.