SBI Card, IRCTC launch credit card; Big benefits for Indian Railways travellers

SBI Card and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) today launched the IRCTC SBI Card on RuPay platform. Designed to reward frequent railway travellers, the card offers travellers on Indian Railways maximum savings proposition on their travel, together with superior benefits on retail, dining and entertainment, besides transaction fee waivers. Cardholders of IRCTC SBI Card on RuPay platform receive up to 10 per cent value back on AC1, AC2, AC3, AC CC bookings made at IRCTC website. The card also offers a 1 per cent transaction fee waiver and 350 Bonus Reward Points upon card activation. Reward points accumulated on the card can be redeemed against free tickets on IRCTC website.

The card is equipped with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology. Customers can simply tap their cards at a secure reader for convenient, secure and faster transactions. With this launch, SBI Card has expanded its portfolio on the RuPay network.

Commenting on the occasion, Rajnish Kumar, Chairman at State Bank of India said, “The market of frequent rail travellers in India is vast and there is huge potential for credit cards catering exclusively to the needs of such travellers. IRCTC SBI Card, launched in 2006, is one of the best performing travel products from SBI Card. With the launch of this flagship product onto the indigenous RuPay network, a wider audience will be able to avail of the strong value proposition offered by the card. With this launch, SBI Card once again reaffirms its commitment to bring consumers secure, value added, cashless payment solutions.”

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According to Hardayal Prasad, MD & CEO at SBI Card, “IRCTC SBI Card is one of our flagship offerings and is the only credit card in partnership with IRCTC. We are pleased to partner with RuPay to extend the IRCTC SBI Platinum card on their platform. Packed with compelling benefits and targeted at a vast audience of frequent railway travellers, this card strengthens our portfolio on the RuPay platform.”

On the partnership, MP Mall, Chairman and Managing Director at IRCTC said, “IRCTC is one of the most widely used travel portals in the country and operates around 72 per cent of the reserved train ticket bookings business in India. This partnership with SBI Card adds another feather in our cap with its launch and extends another Co-Branded Credit Card / Loyalty programme on RuPay Platform. It is aligned with our vision to simplify train ticket booking for frequent railway travellers. IRCTC’s biggest strength, i.e., traffic and its loyal customer base, combined with RuPay’s increasing popularity / market share and SBI Card’s Digital capabilities will be a great match and has a huge potential to reach a large segment of cardholders through this tie-up.”

Dilip Asbe, MD & CEO of National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) said, “We are pleased to be associated with SBI Card and IRCTC for the innovative IRCTC SBI Card on RuPay platform. We believe this card would enable RuPay customers to save significantly on their rail travels along with purchases in the lifestyle segment. With RuPay’s increasing market share and gaining popularity among Indian customers, the IRCTC SBI Card on RuPay platform is yet another step to provide RuPay users a delightful shopping experience.”