Planning an international trip or making foreign currency transactions online? Choosing the right credit card can save you huge forex fees and even give you net positive returns on your spends!
In this thread, I’ll cover the best credit cards for international usage, ranging from entry-level to ultra-premium and even private banking cards.
🔹 Online International Transactions (for foreign currency payments)
🔹 Offline International Transactions (for PoS & ATM withdrawals abroad)
✅ International Lounge Access Covered
✔️ Forex Markup Fee – Charges applied on foreign transactions
✔️ Reward Rate on International Spends – How much you earn back
✔️ Fees & charges – Cost of holding the card
✔️ Complimentary International Lounge Access – Airport perks for global travelers
❌ Eligibility criteria & income requirements
❌ Reward redemption details
⚠️ This guide does NOT focus solely on 0% forex markup cards but rather on cards that provide net positive returns despite forex fees.
⚠️ The list includes ALL tiers of cards, from entry-level to ultra-premium, ensuring there’s something for every traveler.
4️⃣ ATM Operator Fee
✅ If You Must Withdraw Cash, Repay Immediately – To reduce interest charges.
Special mentions: For those who don't need any returns/Lounge access but want a 0% forex markup card, I have listed them Below
1. AU Ixigo
2. IDFC WOW
3. RBL World Safari
4. RBL Insignia
5. FEDERAL Scapia
I've covered most of the useful cards here. There are very few cards that might offer a net positive return on international transactions, but they are not worth the fee and lounge access they offer, so I've excluded them.
If I missed any card in this list, do let me know.
Some cards, like AMEX cards, do not provide net positive returns directly; you need to reach certain milestones to get the mentioned reward rate.
Some cards do not work reliably outside India and may cause issues. For example, the RBL World Safari card has been reported to create transaction troubles abroad. Please read the experiences of our TF users regarding specific cards to avoid unnecessary issues later.
Want to know the best card in each segment
The Ultimate Credit Card Guide – One-Stop Solution for All Your Queries with RR Analysis!
Confused on How & where to redeem your Reward points
Complete Credit Card Reward Redemption Guide
In this thread, I’ll cover the best credit cards for international usage, ranging from entry-level to ultra-premium and even private banking cards.
How This Guide Is Structured:
✅ Divided into Two Categories:🔹 Online International Transactions (for foreign currency payments)
🔹 Offline International Transactions (for PoS & ATM withdrawals abroad)
✅ International Lounge Access Covered
What’s Included?
✔️ Net Positive Return Cards – Only cards that offer more value than the forex markup fees✔️ Forex Markup Fee – Charges applied on foreign transactions
✔️ Reward Rate on International Spends – How much you earn back
✔️ Fees & charges – Cost of holding the card
✔️ Complimentary International Lounge Access – Airport perks for global travelers
What’s NOT Covered?
❌ Other card features (domestic benefits, milestone bonuses, etc.)❌ Eligibility criteria & income requirements
❌ Reward redemption details
Important Notes:
⚠️ All data is based on official bank sources and is subject to change.⚠️ This guide does NOT focus solely on 0% forex markup cards but rather on cards that provide net positive returns despite forex fees.
⚠️ The list includes ALL tiers of cards, from entry-level to ultra-premium, ensuring there’s something for every traveler.
| Card Name | Annual Fee (Rs.) | Forex markup fee(%) | Net Return (Online Txns) | Net Return (Offline Txns) | Complimentary International Lounge access per year | Guest visits per year | Interest on Cash advance (abroad) | Cash advance fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOB Eterna | 2950 | 2.36 | 1.39 | 1.39 | 0 | 0 | 3.49 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| BOB Tiara | 2950 | 2.36 | 1.39 | 1.39 | 0 | 0 | 3.49 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| SBI Cashback | 1180 | 4.13 | 0.87 | -3.13 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| SC Ultimate | 5900 | 2.36 | 0.94 | 0.94 | 16 (min spends required: 20k) | 1 | 3.5 | 3% or Rs. 300, whichever is higher |
| YES Marquee | 5900 | 1.18 | 3.32 | 1.07 | Unlimited | 8 (shared with domestic lounge access) | 2.99 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| AU Zenith + | 5900 | 1.17 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 16 | 0 | 1.99 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| HDFC DCB | 11800 | 2.36 | 0.97 +1(GVP) | 0.97 + 1(GVP) | Unlimited | 0 | 1.99 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| HDFC INFINIA | 14750 | 2.36 | 0.97 +1(GVP) | 0.97 +1(GVP) | Unlimited | 0 | 1.99 | 0 |
| ICICI Emeralde private | 14750 | 2.36 | 0.64 | 0.64 | Unlimited | 0 | 1.99 | 0 |
| ICICI Times Black | 23600 | 1.76 | 0.74 | 0.74 | Unlimited | 0 | 2.5 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| IDFC Mayura | 7079 | 0 | 0.83 | 0.83 | 16 (min spends required: 20k) | 0 | 0 | Rs.199+GST per txn |
| IDFC WOW | 0 | 0 | 0.67 | 0.67 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Rs.199+GST per txn |
| AMEX MRCC | 5310 | 4.13 | 9.37 | 9.37 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 3.5% or Rs. 250, whichever is higher |
| AMEX GOLD Charge | 5310 | 4.13 | 9.37 | 9.37 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 3.5% or Rs. 250, whichever is higher |
| AMEX Platinum Travel | 5900 | 4.13 | 10.37 | 10.37 | 0 | 0 | 3.5 | 3.5% or Rs. 250, whichever is higher |
| RBL Insignia | 8260 / 0 | 1.77 | 0.73 | 0.73 | 6 | 0 | 3.99 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| DBS vantage | varies | 0 - Singapore 2.07 - others | 5.93 | 5.93 | Unlimited | 0 | 3.5 | 2.5% or Rs. 500, whichever is higher |
| IndusInd Pioneer Heritage Metal | 29500 / 0 | 0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | Unlimited | 0 | 2.99 | 0 |
| HSBC Premier | 23600 / 0 | 1.17 | 1.83 | 1.83 | Unlimited | 8 | 2 to 5 | 2.5% or Rs. 300, whichever is higher |
| Axis Olympus | 23600 | 2.12 | 5.8 | 5.8 | Unlimited | 10 | 1.8 | 2% or Rs. 300, whichever is higher |
| Axis Magnus for Burgundy | 35400 | 2.36 | 2.44 | 2.44 | Unlimited | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Axis Reserve | 59000 | 1.77 | 4.23 | 4.23 | Unlimited | 12 | 1.5 | 0 |
| Axis primus | 212400 | 0 | 5 | 5 | Unlimited | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Axis Burgundy Private | 59000 / 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 | Unlimited | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| YES private | 11800 / 0 | 0.59 | 4.41 | 4.41 | Unlimited | 12 | 2.99 | 2.5% or Rs. 300, whichever is higher |
| IDFC Private | 59000 | 0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | Unlimited | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| IndusInd Pioneer Private | 29500 | 0 | 3 | 3 | Unlimited | 12 | 2 | 0 |
Cash Withdrawal Charges at International ATMs - Only for those who don't know
1️⃣ Cash Advance Fee- credit cards charge a high fee for cash withdrawals at ATMs abroad.
- The fee is usually 2.5% to 3.5% of the amount withdrawn (subject to a minimum charge).
- Unlike purchases, cash withdrawals attract interest from Day 1—there’s no interest-free period.
- Interest rates are typically 36%–48% annually (3%–4% per month), making it very costly.
4️⃣ ATM Operator Fee
- Some foreign banks charge extra ATM withdrawal fees (over which your bank has no control).
- This can range from $2 to $10 per transaction, depending on the country and ATM network.
Pro Tips to Avoid High Charges
✅ Avoid Using Credit Cards for Cash Withdrawals – Use a debit card or prepaid forex card instead.✅ If You Must Withdraw Cash, Repay Immediately – To reduce interest charges.
Special mentions: For those who don't need any returns/Lounge access but want a 0% forex markup card, I have listed them Below
1. AU Ixigo
2. IDFC WOW
3. RBL World Safari
4. RBL Insignia
5. FEDERAL Scapia
I've covered most of the useful cards here. There are very few cards that might offer a net positive return on international transactions, but they are not worth the fee and lounge access they offer, so I've excluded them.
If I missed any card in this list, do let me know.
Some cards, like AMEX cards, do not provide net positive returns directly; you need to reach certain milestones to get the mentioned reward rate.
Some cards do not work reliably outside India and may cause issues. For example, the RBL World Safari card has been reported to create transaction troubles abroad. Please read the experiences of our TF users regarding specific cards to avoid unnecessary issues later.
Want to know the best card in each segment
The Ultimate Credit Card Guide – One-Stop Solution for All Your Queries with RR Analysis!
Confused on How & where to redeem your Reward points
Complete Credit Card Reward Redemption Guide
Last edited:
