Updated October 2026

Best Credit Cards for International Travel (Zero Forex) 2026

Most Indian credit cards add a 2–3.5% forex markup (plus GST) to every foreign transaction. On a ₹2 lakh trip, that's ₹4,000–₹7,000 lost to fees. A zero-forex card removes that charge completely.

These cards are the best for spending abroad, booking international travel and using lounges overseas.

Our picks at a glance
  1. Scapia Credit Card · 0% forex · Lifetime free
  2. The Amex Platinum Card® · Unlimited lounges · ₹66,000/yr
  3. Amex Platinum Reserve℠ Credit Card · Lounges + golf · ₹10,000/yr
  4. Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank · 5% on Tata brands · ₹1,499/yr
  5. IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card · 0% forex, FD-backed · Lifetime free
  6. OneCard Metal Credit Card · 5X on top 2 categories · Lifetime free
  7. IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit Card · Lifetime free premium · Lifetime free
#1
Scapia
Scapia Credit Card
•••• 3382Visa / RuPay

Scapia Credit Card

Federal Bank / Axis Bank / BOBCARD · Visa / RuPay

Lifetime freeUPI readyTravel & zero forex

Why we picked it: 0% forex markup and lifetime free, which makes it the best card to carry abroad.

  • 0% forex markup on international spends
  • 20% Scapia Coins (~4%) on travel booked in the Scapia app
  • 10% Scapia Coins (~2%) on other spends
  • Unlimited domestic lounge access

Lounge access requires ₹20,000 spend in the month. Coins redeem only on travel bookings in the Scapia app. International spends don't earn coins.

Joining feeFree
Annual feeFree

Why we picked it: Unlimited international lounges and hotel status for frequent international travellers.

  • Unlimited international & domestic lounge access
  • Marriott Bonvoy Gold & Taj Epicure memberships
  • Hotel and luxury partner benefits
  • No preset spending limit

This is a charge card with a ₹66,000 + GST annual fee, so it suits very high spenders and frequent travellers.

Joining fee₹66,000
Annual fee₹66,000

Why we picked it: International lounge access plus rewards on Air India and Taj bookings via Tata Neu.

  • 5% NeuCoins on BigBasket, Croma, Tata CLiQ, 1mg, Westside
  • 1.5% NeuCoins on UPI via Tata Neu UPI ID (RuPay)
  • 1.5% NeuCoins on all other spends
  • Domestic + international lounge access

UPI through other apps earns only 0.5%, and UPI rewards are capped at 500 NeuCoins a month. NeuCoins can only be used within Tata brands.

Joining fee₹1,499
Annual fee₹1,499
#5
IDFC FIRST Bank
IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card
•••• 6558Visa

IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card

IDFC FIRST Bank · Visa

Lifetime freeStudents & no credit history

Why we picked it: 0% forex markup and lifetime free, a great backup card abroad.

  • Approval against a fixed deposit, with no income proof needed
  • 0% forex markup
  • 4X reward points on spends
  • FD keeps earning interest

It's a secured card: your credit limit is a share of the fixed deposit you keep with IDFC FIRST Bank.

Joining feeFree
Annual feeFree

Comparison table

CardBest forAnnual feeHeadline benefitLounge
Scapia Credit CardTravel & zero forexFree0% forexUnlimited domestic (on ₹20k monthly spend)
The Amex Platinum Card®Ultra-premium travel₹66,000Unlimited loungesUnlimited worldwide
Amex Platinum Reserve℠ Credit CardLounges & lifestyle₹10,000Lounges + golfDomestic + international
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC BankUPI + Tata brands₹1,4995% on Tata brandsDomestic + international
IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit CardStudents & no credit historyFree0% forex, FD-backedNone
OneCard Metal Credit CardApp-first free metal cardFree5X on top 2 categoriesNone
IDFC FIRST Wealth Credit CardFree premium cardFreeLifetime free premiumDomestic + international (spend-based)

How to choose

  • Always pay in the local currency abroad. Choosing INR at the terminal (dynamic currency conversion) costs more.
  • Carry two cards on different networks (e.g. Visa and Mastercard/Amex) in case one isn't accepted.
  • Inform your bank or enable international usage in the app before you travel.

Still unsure? Use the card finder to see which card earns the most on your own spends.

Frequently asked questions

Which credit card has zero forex markup in India?

Scapia offers 0% forex markup on international spends and is lifetime free.

What is forex markup on a credit card?

It's a fee (usually 2–3.5% plus 18% GST) that banks add to every transaction in a foreign currency, including online purchases from foreign websites.

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