Beat Forex Fees: Best Credit Cards that offset mark-up fee with Rewards

[Panthera_Tigris]

@helloworld Bob Eterna looks best but seems like it is capped at 5K reward points so a measly INR 33K spend per month. Right?

@Vineet Kumar @Ra.One Those IndusInd cards look really good, thanks for sharing. I prefer hassle free cashback over other rewards. The scaling is also perfect. Grande DC is capped at 50K pm for low volume users. Pioneer DC is the middle ground and Pioneer CC for high volume users who can get the fee waived with 10L spends.

I think I may go for this. Any other insights you can share based on your usage?

By the way, "international spends" includes shopping internationally from India as well right?

 

[Ra.One]

@Panthera_Tigris
If your choice is Indus DC's, try for MC versions rather than Visa, as Visa rates are poor.
And Yes, international spends include shopping internationally from India.

 

[helloworld]

@helloworld Bob Eterna looks best but seems like it is capped at 5K reward points so a measly INR 33K spend per month. Right?

@Vineet Kumar @Ra.One Those IndusInd cards look really good, thanks for sharing. I prefer hassle free cashback over other rewards. The scaling is also perfect. Grande DC is capped at 50K pm for low volume users. Pioneer DC is the middle ground and Pioneer CC for high volume users who can get the fee waived with 10L spends.

I think I may go for this. Any other insights you can share based on your usage?

By the way, "international spends" includes shopping internationally from India as well right?

42k per month is the bob limit. and its the only best option in cashback.

 

[yolofino]

Can someone tell which international websites will get you 5% cashback on HDFC Swiggy credit card? Any clear definitions of exclusions anywhere?

 

[sunit123]

I use IDFC first select for 0 Forex, any better card ?

forex markup is 1.99%

 

[soccer]

Can someone tell which international websites will get you 5% cashback on HDFC Swiggy credit card? Any clear definitions of exclusions anywhere?

Again MCC based I think? Everything that comes under the MCC's listed (you can see them on the card page on the HDFC site) should work; anything other than those will obviously not give 5%.

 

[Krypton6222]

* AXIS Atlas will have high value depends on miles/hotel transfer options, above is lowest value.

I see it is minimum 5% here. Is the assumption here that 5L was spent on hotels/flights? In another thread, it is mentioned at 4%. Hence, net negative return for international transactions. I see differences in other cards as well. Probably because of different assumptions about the spent amount and category.

So, if I'm looking at offline transactions at abroad, how different would this list be? Also, if we consider the worst case scenarios for each card i.e. excluded category, would a non-rewarding but zero forex card be better?

 

[helloworld]

I see it is minimum 5% here. Is the assumption here that 5L was spent on hotels/flights? In another thread, it is mentioned at 4%. Hence, net negative return for international transactions. I see differences in other cards as well. Probably because of different assumptions about the spent amount and category.

So, if I'm looking at offline transactions at abroad, how different would this list be?

Thread 'AXIS Atlas vs HDFC Regalia Gold vs AXIS Horizon vs HSBC TravelOne'

May 11, 2024

This is a wiki post, so anyone with appropriate permissions can edit and make necessary changes.

General Note:​

Redemption calculations are assumptions for illustrative purposes and may vary. Please confirm specific terms directly with card issuers.

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Terminology:​

• EM: Edge Miles (Axis Rewards)
• RP: Reward Points (HDFC Rewards)
• FYF: First Year Free
• JF: Joining Fee
• LTF: Lifetime Free
• AF: Annual Fee
• BV: Brand Vouchers (e.g., Regalia Gold Milestone Benefit)
• SFV: SmartBuy Flight Voucher...

• helloworld
• Replies: 56
• Forum: Credit Card Comparison

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also can check links bottom of main post with detailed calculations.

Also, if we consider the worst case scenarios for each card i.e. excluded category, would a non-rewarding but zero forex card be better?

if ur talking about rent, wallet.. yes. Otherwise, not all cards exclude same categories for eaening rewards. Check appropriate card details or find them in my signature.

 

[helloworld]

Probably because of different assumptions about the spent amount and category.

if something need required amount of spends, already mentioned in that table. If not mentioned anything then min. txn value applies for that card. Nothing hidden, can check some cards posts at bottom of #1 thread for detailed, complicated, best and worst scenario reward rates.

Still find anything missing, do let us know.

So, if I'm looking at offline transactions at abroad, how different would this list be?

^All cards work for both Online and Offline (except the one specifically mentioned as Online only).