Best Railway Lounge Access Credit Card

Access to most of the railway lounges in India is granted by a railway lounge access credit card. It holds significant value for individuals who frequently travel by railway. The wait for the train is made easier by the provision of complimentary amenities such as free Wi-Fi, food, and air conditioning in some railway lounges.

IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card Features and Benefits

1. Railway lounge program – Avail of 4 complimentary railway lounge access in a year, maximum 1 per quarter. 
2. Welcome gift – 350 bonus reward points as a welcome gift on a transaction of Rs. 500 in the first 45 days of card issuance.
3. Value back benefits – Up to 10% value back as reward points on buying tickets through the irctc official website for the categories – AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC.
4. IRCTC travel offers –
   1. Save on 1% transaction charges on ticket bookings via the official irctc website. 
   2. Book accommodation at more than 5,000 hotels over 350 cities.
   3. Avail of tailor-made packages for different tours.
5. Fuel surcharge waiver – Avail of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of Rs. 500 – Rs. 3,000, on all petrol pumps across India.

IRCTC SBI Platinum Credit Card Features and Benefits

1. Railway lounge program – Avail of 8 complimentary railway lounge access in a year, maximum 2 per quarter. 
2. Welcome gift – 1500 bonus reward points as a welcome gift on payment of the first annual fee.
3. Value back benefits – Up to 10% value back as reward points on buying tickets through the irctc official website for the categories – AC1, AC2, AC3, and AC CC.
4. IRCTC travel offers –
   1. Save on 1% transaction charges on railway ticket bookings via the official irctc website. 
   2. Save on 1.8% transaction charges on airline bookings via the official airline irctc website. 
   3. Book accommodation at more than 5,000 hotels over 350 cities.
   4. Avail of tailor-made packages for different tours.
5. Fuel surcharge waiver – Avail of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of Rs. 500 – Rs. 4,000, on all petrol pumps across India.

HDFC Bank RuPay IRCTC Credit Card

1. Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 8 complimentary railway lounge access in a year, maximum 2 per quarter.
2. Welcome gift – Gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on activating the card within the first 37 days of card issuance.
3. Value back benefits – Get 5 reward points on every Rs. 100 spent on the IRCTC official website and app.
4. IRCTC travel offers –
   1. Save on 1% transaction charges on railway ticket bookings via the official irctc website and rail connect app.
   2. Save on 1.8% transaction charges on airline bookings via the official airline irctc website. 
   3. Avail of an additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC Smartbuy.
5. Fuel surcharge waiver – Avail of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions of Rs. 500 – Rs. 4,000, on all fuel stations across India.

IDFC First Classic Credit Card

1. Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 4 complimentary railway lounges in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only. Facilities include –
   1. Two hours of lounge stay in an air-conditioned setting
   2. 1 buffet meal
   3. Access to Wi-Fi
   4. Newspapers and Magazines
   5. Tea and coffee 
2. Welcome gift – Gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on spending Rs. 15,000 within 90 days of the issuance of the credit card.
3. Value back benefits – Get 10X reward points on incremental spending of Rs. 20,000 every month and on your birthday.
4. Fuel surcharge waiver – Avail of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions at all fuel stations across India on transactions between Rs. 200 to Rs. 5,000.

IDFC First Select Credit Card

1. Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 4 complimentary railway lounges in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only. Facilities include –
   1. Two hours of lounge stay in an air-conditioned setting
   2. 1 buffet meal
   3. Access to Wi-Fi
   4. Newspapers and Magazines
   5. Tea and coffee 
2. Welcome gift – Gift voucher worth Rs. 500 on spending Rs. 15,000 within 90 days of the issuance of the credit card.
3. Value back benefits – Get 10X reward points on incremental spending of Rs. 25,000 every month and on your birthday.
4. Fuel surcharge waiver – Avail of a 1% fuel surcharge waiver on transactions on all fuel stations across India on transactions between Rs. 200 to Rs. 5,000.

ICICI Bank Coral Credit Card

Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 1 complimentary railway lounge in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only. 

ICICI Bank Rubyx Credit Card

Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 2 complementary railway lounges in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only.

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Platinum Credit Card

Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 1 complimentary railway lounge in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only. 

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Signature Credit Card

Railway lounge benefits – Avail of 1 complimentary railway lounge in a quarter. Applicable for participating lounges only. 

Summary

Railway lounge access credit cards are great for people who travel frequently by Indian railways. The lounges generally offer free Wi-Fi, complimentary buffet meals, air-conditioned seating, tea and coffee, newspapers and magazines, and other paid services as well which make the waiting time a little more productive and enjoyable. It is highly advisable to apply for the above credit cards if you are a frequent railways traveler.