Share

IRCTC HDFC Bank vs Federal Scapia Credit Card Compared

Which credit card suits you? Side by side on the numbers that decide it. A blank means the provider has not published that figure, not that it is zero. Data last verified: 11 October 2026.

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card versus Federal Scapia Credit card compared
FeatureIRCTC HDFC Bank Credit CardIRCTC HDFC Bank Credit CardHDFC Bank5 recent changes →
Federal Scapia Credit cardFederal Scapia Credit cardScapia, issued by Federal Bank and Punjab National Bank5 recent changes →
Rewards by spend
Rewards1% on most spends; 5% only at partner merchants2% on most spends; 4% only at partner merchants
UPI payments (scan and pay)1%2%
Online shopping1%2%
Dining and food delivery1%2%
Groceries1%2%
Travel: flights, hotels, trains1%; 5% only at IRCTC website & Rail Connect app2%; 4% only at Scapia app
FuelsameEarns nothingEarns nothing
Bills and recharges1%Earns nothing
RentsameEarns nothingEarns nothing
Insurance premiums1%Earns nothing
School and college feesEarns nothing2%
Wallet top-upsEarns nothing2%
Taxes and government paymentsEarns nothingNot stated
Spend abroad or in a foreign currency1%2%
Everything else1%2%
Card identity
Card typesameTravelTravel
NetworkRuPayVisa
Card tiersameMidMid
Fees
Joining fee₹500 + GSTFree
Annual fee₹500 + GSTFree
Lifetime freeNoYes
Fee waived at₹1,50,000-
Eligibility
Min age21 years-
Max age60 years-
Employment type-BOTH
Min monthly salary₹25,000-
Min credit score-730
Rewards
Reward typesameReward pointsReward points
Point value₹1₹0
Fuel surcharge
Fuel surcharge waiverYesNo
Lounge access
Domestic lounge visitssame00
Domestic lounge unlimitedNoYes
International lounge visitssame00
Railway lounge visits8-
Lounge condition8 complimentary IRCTC Executive Lounge visits/year (2/quarter) at select railway stations, not airport lounges. You must present a valid, unexpired train ticket at the entrance, and a ₹2 card-validation charge applies per visit. Includes a 2-hour stay an20,000+ Per Month
Forex and international
Forex markup3.5%None
UPI rewards
Works on UPIsameYesYes
Interest and charges
Interest rate (monthly)same3.75%3.75%
Interest rate (annual)same45%45%
Redemption
Redemption method-Vouchers, Air miles
Page content
Eligibility-Age: 21 to 65 years Min. income: ₹25,000/mo Employment: Salaried · Self-employed · Student
Documents needed-PAN card Aadhaar / valid address proof Latest 3 months bank statement Income proof, salary slips (salaried) or ITR (self-employed) Recent passport-size photograph
ApplyApply NowApply Now

Worth in Rupees at ₹20,000 a Month

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
Rewards a year
₹2,400
Fee a year
₹0
You keep
₹2,400
Federal Scapia Credit card
Rewards a year
₹4,800
Fee a year
₹0
You keep
₹4,800

At this spend, Federal Scapia Credit card comes out ₹2,400 a year ahead of IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card. Worked out from each card's published reward rate, caps and fee, on ₹20,000 a month. Your own spend changes the answer: try the rewards calculator.

Best For

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
  • Regular train travellers
  • Families who book trains often
  • People who commute between cities by rail
Federal Scapia Credit card
  • International travellers
  • People who book trips online
  • Anyone wanting a free card with 0% forex fee

Watch-Outs

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
  • Most value is limited to IRCTC bookings
  • Rewards are capped each month
  • No airport lounge access
Federal Scapia Credit card
  • Coins redeem only for travel in the Scapia app
  • No coins on fuel, insurance, utilities or rent
  • Lounge access needs Rs 20,000 spend each month

Card data sourced via CardAdvisor.in (IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card, Federal Scapia Credit card), India Credit Card Facts, CC BY 4.0, adapted by SkyloFin.

Questions People Ask

Which has the lower annual fee, IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card or Federal Scapia Credit card?

Federal Scapia Credit card. Federal Scapia Credit card: no annual fee; IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card: ₹500. Check whether a spend-based waiver applies before you decide.

Which is better for spending abroad?

Federal Scapia Credit card has the lowest forex markup. Federal Scapia Credit card: 0%; IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card: 3.5%. The markup is charged on every foreign-currency transaction, before GST.

Which earns more on everyday spending?

On spends outside any bonus category: Federal Scapia Credit card 2%, IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card 1%. Bonus categories, rates limited to named merchants and monthly caps change the picture, so compare the rewards by spend too.

Which gives airport lounge access?

IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card: no complimentary lounge visits; Federal Scapia Credit card: unlimited domestic lounge visits. Some cards need a minimum spend in the quarter before a visit counts, so check the lounge terms.

Can I hold more than one of these cards?

Usually yes, if each bank approves you. Many people keep one card for everyday spending and another for a specific use such as travel. Each application is a separate credit check.

Work Out the Numbers

Other Comparisons

We earn a commission if you are approved, and you pay nothing extra. How we make money.

Compare all the credit cards we list

Credit Cards

Guides in Plain Words

Short reads that explain how it works before you decide.

All Credit Cards guides
SkyloFin - Expense Tracker

Your Money. One Clear View.

Automatically organise your spending, track expenses and understand where your money goes.

  • Reads bank SMS No account linking, no passwords.
  • Sorts every rupee Into categories you can edit.
  • Bills and cards Statements found, due dates reminded.
  • Your Google Drive Backed up to you, never to us.
Get the AppSee how it works