Indian Railways launches frequent traveller programme, credit card with SBI Card

Mumbai: Indian Railways today flagged off a first-of-its kind initiative in its over-150 year history — a frequent traveller programme to reward its most loyal customers. Christened "Shubh Yatra," this frequent traveller scheme has been launched through Indian Railways'' subsidiary Indian Railway Catering And Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) in partnership with SBI Card, among India''s largest VISA credit card issuers.

The Shubh Yatra programme, applicable only for tickets booked online entitles its members to get back up to 10 per cent of their ticket fare as railway points on all AC class travel (except 3AC) depending on their date of travel. These railway points can then be used to purchase free railway tickets online. Members travelling between January 15 and March 31 or between July 15 and September 15 will get 10 per cent of the train fare as railway points.

For the remainder of the year, four per cent of the fare will be offered as railway points. Shubh Yatra also offers its members complimentary entry to to all platforms without a platform ticket. The annual membership fee for the Shubh Yatra programme is Rs500 for the first year and Rs300 thereafter for every subsequent year. This programme will be managed by SBI Card on behalf of IRCTC.

IRCTC has also tied up with SBI Card to simultaneously launch the SBI Railway Card the first credit card for railway passengers. The card design includes an exclusive sketch by RK Laxman and his autograph. The SBI Railway Card offers railway passengers up to 10 per cent of the ticket fare back as railway points, through a complimentary membership to ''Shubh Yatra'' and free travel through railway points earned on normal credit card spending as well.

The SBI Railway Card also offers all the benefits of a normal credit card that include, apart from online railway ticket booking at a 0 per cent transaction charge, doorstep delivery of tickets across 200 cities in India, easy instalment plans for railway ticket purchases as well as other large purchases, balance transfer at 0 per cent interest for 75 days, personal accident insurance of Rs10 lakh in case of a train accident, among others.

Announcing the launch of the SBI Railway Card, S K Malik, managing director, IRCTC said, "In keeping with the increasing focus of Indian Railways to add greater value to our customers, we are pleased to launch the SBI Railway Card which brings with it features that no other credit card can offer. It is not only the powerful features of the SBI Railway Card but the card face also, which promises to bring a smile to the face of all our customers."

Roopam Asthana, CEO, SBI Card said, "The SBI Railway Card was launched specifically to meet the need for efficient payment products and services of India''s expanding consuming class population. Our partnership with IRCTC enables us to meet the needs of a whole new segment of customers. The SBI Railway Card is an initiative that allows us to reach out to a new and wider group of smart consumers who are looking to derive more value from their travel as well as everyday shopping and thus enjoy the twin benefits of convenience and rewards of an SBI Card."

The membership fee for the SBI Railway Card is Rs500 for the first year with 250 free bonus railway points.

• Some of the features of the SBI Railway Card are: Online railway Ticket booking at 0 per cent transaction fee and doorstep delivery of these tickets across 200 cities in India
• Earning free railway tickets through normal credit card spending
• FlexiPay - Railway ticket purchases as well as other large purchases can be converted into an easy instalment payment plan at a low rate of interest
• Balance Transfer at 0 per cent interest for 75 days.
• Personal accident insurance up to Rs10 lakh in the event of death in the case of a train accident
• Exclusive offers - from prestigious partners like McDonald's, Domino's, Planet M, Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, WelcomHeritage Hotels, Sarovar Group of Hotels & Resorts, Country Inns & Suites by Carlson, PCQuest Magazine, Oyzterbay, Book Café, Oxford Book Stores, Hertz, MakeMyTrip.com
• 0 per cent transaction fee on IOC and IBP petrol pumps for fuel purchase over Rs400
• Free purchase protection against fire and theft upto Rs15,000 for 90 days