HDFC Bank Rupay IRCTC Credit Card vs Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Card: Which Credit Card Wins in 2026?

Quick Verdict

• The HDFC Bank Rupay IRCTC Credit Cardⓘ wins for travel spend and domestic lounge access.
• The Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ offers better rewards on online shopping and is suited for frequent shoppers.
• The Rupay IRCTC card is cheaper to hold with no annual fee, unlike the Shoppers Stop card which charges Rs 299 annually.
• Choose the Rupay IRCTC card if you prioritize travel and UPI payments, and opt for the Shoppers Stop card if you primarily shop online and want membership benefits.

Side by Side

Rewards Compared

The HDFC Bank Rupay IRCTC Credit Cardⓘ offers a base reward rate of 0.5%, which translates to Rs 50 back on Rs 10,000 spent. Its standout feature is the 5% reward rate on travel category spends, giving Rs 500 back on Rs 10,000, and 1% on UPI transactions. This makes it highly rewarding for users who frequently book train tickets or travel-related expenses through IRCTC and who use UPI for payments.

In contrast, the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ also provides a 0.5% base reward rate with Rs 50 back per Rs 10,000 spent generally. However, it excels in the online shopping category, offering a 6% reward rate that yields Rs 600 back on Rs 10,000 spent online. This makes it a strong choice for shoppers who spend heavily on e-commerce platforms or at Shoppers Stop stores. There are no travel-related category bonuses on this card.

Fees Compared

The Rupay IRCTC card is lifetime free, with no annual fee, but has a joining fee of Rs 500. It offers fee waiver on Rs 1.50 lakh annual spend, which is Rs 12,500 per month, to avoid the joining fee impact. Since the annual fee is nil, there is no recurring fee to worry about.

The Shoppers Stop card charges an annual fee of Rs 299 plus a joining fee of Rs 299. There is no specified fee waiver on spend, so the Rs 299 annual fee is unavoidable. To justify the Rs 299 fee at the base reward rate of 0.5%, a cardholder needs to spend Rs 59,800 annually to cover the fee through rewards alone.

In terms of cost, the Rupay IRCTC card is cheaper to hold long-term, especially for users who meet the spend waiver. The Shoppers Stop card’s fees require consistent spending or usage of its membership benefits to be worthwhile.

Which One Should You Pick

If you are a frequent traveler or someone who books IRCTC tickets regularly, the HDFC Bank Rupay IRCTC Credit Cardⓘ is the better pick. It offers superior rewards on travel spends, domestic lounge access, and no annual fee, making it ideal as a first card or for UPI users. However, if you do not travel often and want a card primarily for shopping with the added benefit of Shoppers Stop Silver Edge Membership, then the Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank Credit Cardⓘ suits you better.

Skip the Rupay IRCTC card if you do not use IRCTC or travel frequently since the category rewards will not benefit you much. Avoid the Shoppers Stop card if you dislike paying annual fees or do not shop online enough to justify it.

What to Check Before You Apply

• Verify the quarterly domestic lounge spend gate of Rs 75,000 on the Rupay IRCTC card to ensure you can access lounges.
• Check if the category spend caps limit the high reward rates on travel or online shopping.
• Understand the fee waiver calculation for the Rupay IRCTC card as it requires Rs 12,500 monthly spend.
• Be aware of the 3.5% forex markup on both cards for foreign currency spending.
• Confirm which airports have lounges accessible with the Rupay IRCTC card to avoid disappointment.

FAQ