American Express® Platinum Reserve vs IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card

• Welcome Gift of 11,000 Bonus Membership Rewards Points
• Complimentary Airport Lounge accesses such as American Express and other Domestic Lounges in India. Also, get a Complimentary Membership to Priority Pass, with the US$99 Annual Membership Fee waived off
• Avail privileges at Taj Hotels Palaces Resorts Safaris; Preferred Hotel Group
• Get special benefits at Max Healthcare and various other curated benefits for mind, body and soul
• Complimentary access to leading Golf courses in India

• Avail 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Get 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on all other spends
• Avail an additional 5% cashback on train ticket bookings via HDFC Bank SmartBuy
• 8 complimentary access to selected IRCTC Executive Lounges every year (2 per quarter)
• Get a 1% transaction charges waiver on transactions done on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Spend Rs. 1,50,000 or more in one year before Credit Card renewal and get the renewal fee waived off
• Up to 50 days of interest-free period from the date of purchase
• Revolving Credit available at a nominal interest rate
• 1% fuel surcharge waiver at all fuel stations in India on transactions between Rs. 400 and Rs. 5,000
• Milestone Benefits: Get a gift voucher valued at Rs. 500 when you make quarterly spends of Rs. 30,000 or more (every 90 days from the date of issue)
• IRCTC Executive Lounge Benefits: Get 8 complimentary access to selected IRCTC Executive Lounges every year (2 per quarter)
• It is now possible to link IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card to select UPI apps: PayZapp/ GPay/ PhonePe/ Mobikwik/ PayTM/ BHIM/ Slice
• A maximum of 500 reward points can be earned on UPI spends in a calendar month using the IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card
• Convert big spends into EMI after purchase
• The IRCTC HDFC Bank Credit Card is equipped with contactless payment technology for added convenience and speed

Pros

• Relax luxuriously in the American Express Platinum Lounge at Delhi Domestic Terminal
• Avail movie or online shopping vouchers worth Rs.6,000 per year
• Special privileges at Taj, SeleQtions and Vivanta Hotels; Preferred Hotels & Resorts
• Redeem the Points for over 500 options that include travel, dining, accessories and more

Cons

• Poor reward structure
• Absence of bonus reward points on milestone spends
• High-interest rates
• High Annual Fee

Pros

• Complimentary access to Executive Lounges of IRTC
• 5 Reward Points for every Rs. 100 spent on the IRCTC ticketing website and Rail Connect App
• Get 1 Reward Point for every Rs. 100 spent on all other spends

Cons

• No golf benefits are provided
• No airport lounge access
• No movie and dining benefits