The Forex Markup Problem
Most Indian credit cards charge 2–3.5% on international transactions as a foreign currency conversion fee. This is charged on every purchase, hotel booking, and ATM withdrawal abroad. On a ₹5 lakh travel spend, this is ₹10,000–17,500 lost to unnecessary fees.
Cards with Zero or Near-Zero Forex Markup
RBL World Safari and Niyo World Kotak offer zero forex markup. IndusInd Legend charges 1.8%, and YES Marquee charges 1%. RBL World Safari also has a Priority Pass and domestic lounge access, making it the most well-rounded international travel card for most users.
What to Watch
Even with zero forex markup, some cards charge an international transaction fee separately. Read the full fee schedule for any card you plan to use abroad. Also confirm whether the card has widespread Visa/Mastercard/Amex international acceptance — a few India-focused cards have limited acceptance outside the country.