Get Free Train Tickets In Indian Railways
Earlier we had already written about how to upgrade an Indian Railway Train Ticket from sleeper class to 3AC and travel in 3AC, having paid the fare for sleeper class only. Here is another step ahead. Now find out how you can travel for free on Indian Railways under the IRCTC Shubh Yatra Scheme.
How To Get Free Or concessional Train Tickets In Indian Railways
If you are frequent traveler in AC class of Indian Railways, then under a Loyalty Program called SOFT (Scheme for Frequent Travelers) and better known as the Shubh Yatra Programme, you are entitled to loyalty points each time you book a ticket through IRCTC online. These loyalty points can be redeemed for free or concessional Indian Railway Train Tickets, once you have accumulated 500 Points in your account.
Under this scheme, you will earn 4 points for every 100 Rs. spent to buy a train ticket, with travel dates falling between April 1 – July 14 and September 16 – January 14. You are also entitled to 10 points for every 100 Rs. spent to buy a train ticket, with travel dates falling between January 15 – March 31 and July 15 – September 15.
The following are the pre-conditions to earn loyalty points and redeem them for free or concessional Indian Railways Train Tickets:
- Tickets should be booked only at www.irctc.co.in. You need to be a registered user of IRCTC to apply for Shubh Yatra or the SBI Railway Card online.
- Tickets should be booked only in AC class except 3tier AC
- Loyalty Points are only awarded for full fare tickets and are not awarded on concessional tickets or for voucher transactions.
- You must be traveling member in the ticket booked and you earn Railway Points for your individual fare only.
- Railway Points shall accrue to your account only 5 days after the date of your journey provided your ticket has not been cancelled.
- Initial Membership fee Rs.500/-, annual renewal fee Rs.300/- should be paid
- You Can start redeeming points only after accrual of 500 points
- Each Loyalty Point earned is equivalent to Re 1/- of your ticket fare, when redeeming the points for future ticket purchases.
- Loyalty Points will be valid for a period of 3 years from the date of member’s registration. However, irrespective of the 3-year validity period, Railway Points lapse if membership is not renewed.
So if you are frequent traveler in AC, earn points for your travel and travel for free in Indian railways. For further details visit http://irctc.co.in/loyalty
