Three things define a great international travel card: zero (or low) forex markup, airport lounge access, and a reward programme worth using abroad. Most Indian cards fail at least one. Here is who passes all three in 2026.
Most Indian credit cards charge 3–3.5% as a foreign currency transaction fee. On a ₹5L international trip, that is ₹15,000–₹17,500 in hidden fees — paid silently, often confused with exchange rate movement.
Zero forex markup cards eliminate this. The difference between 3.5% forex (HDFC Infinia) and 0% forex (Scapia) on ₹5L annual international spend is ₹17,500/year. For many travellers, this single number determines which card to carry abroad.
Scapia Federal Bank (Lifetime Free)
Zero forex markup on all international transactions. Reward points on every foreign spend. Domestic lounge access as milestone benefit. No annual fee.
Who should get it: Anyone who travels internationally even once a year. The forex saving alone justifies the 5-minute application. Pair with your domestic rewards card for local spend.
Niyo SBM Credit Card (₹0 effectively)
Also zero forex. Better for ATM withdrawals abroad — useful in cash-heavy destinations like Japan or parts of Southeast Asia. App shows live exchange rates.
HSBC TravelOne Credit Card (₹4,999/year)
1.5% forex markup — not zero, but low. Instant 1:1 transfer to 18 airline and hotel programmes including Singapore KrisFlyer, British Airways Avios, and Cathay Asia Miles. Good earn rate on all spends. 6 international lounge visits included.
Axis Atlas Credit Card (₹5,000/year)
3.5% forex markup (not ideal for spending abroad) but extremely strong for earning EDGE Miles on travel bookings. Tiered lounge access that improves as spend grows. Best used for earning before the trip, not spending during it.
HDFC Regalia Gold (₹2,500/year, often waived)
2% forex markup. 6 international lounge visits. Reliable Priority Pass coverage. Good all-around option after the 2026 earn rate cut — still serviceable for most travellers.
HDFC Infinia (₹12,500/year, invite-only)
Unlimited Priority Pass access for self — no cap, no conditions. 2% forex markup. 10X SmartBuy rewards. 1:1 KrisFlyer transfers. For frequent flyers who need unlimited lounges in every city, Infinia is unmatched in India.
ICICI Emeralde Private Metal (₹12,499/year, invite-only)
Unlimited domestic and international lounge access. Up to 36% value back on hotel bookings via iShop. 3.5% forex markup (negated by the iShop hotel benefit for hotel-heavy travellers).
BOBCard Etihad Guest Premium (₹10,000/year)
Zero forex markup — rare at this tier. 6% value back as Etihad Guest Miles on Etihad flights. 2% on international spends. Unlimited lounge access via Dreamfolks. Best for Indians flying via Abu Dhabi regularly.
Card 1 — Scapia Federal Bank: Use for all international spending. Zero forex, reasonable rewards. Free.
Card 2 — HDFC Infinia or Axis Magnus: Use for all domestic earning. Accumulate points/miles before the trip, redeem for business class or hotel stays during it.
This combination gives you zero forex costs on spending plus the best mile-earning structure for redemptions. Total fee: ₹10,000–₹12,500 for the premium card, ₹0 for Scapia. Total saved on ₹5L annual international spend vs using Infinia abroad: ₹17,500 (forex alone).
Most premium Indian cards include travel insurance — but the coverage is often inadequate or has strict activation conditions (you must buy the tickets with that card for coverage to apply).
HDFC Infinia: ₹3 crore air accident cover, ₹50L medical evacuation — strong.
Axis Magnus: ₹1 crore accident cover, reasonable medical coverage.
HSBC TravelOne: Trip cancellation and delay coverage — more practical for frequent travellers.
For serious international travel, supplement card insurance with a standalone travel insurance policy for medical coverage. Card insurance rarely covers pre-existing conditions and has complex claim processes.