If you travel abroad, study overseas, or buy from foreign websites, every swipe in USD/EUR/GBP quietly costs you extra. That invisible leak is called forex markup; typically 2–3.5% on top of the network conversion rate. The good news is that several Indian cards now offer zero forex markup, which means more rupees stay in your pocket. Below are the best zero forex markup credit cards in India you should consider.
Let’s dive in.
Best Zero Forex Markup Credit Cards in India for International Travel
- RBL Bank — World Safari — Best overall travel card with genuine 0% forex markup and travel perks.
- IDFC FIRST — FIRST WOW! (Traveller) — Lifetime-free, FD-backed card with zero forex and great for cost-conscious travellers.
- Scapia (Federal Bank) — Scapia Federal Credit Card — Newer challenger: lifetime free + zero forex + travel rewards. Great value pick.
- HDFC Regalia — Regalia ForexPlus (single-currency forex card) — For high-value travellers who prefer a single-currency forex product (zero cross-currency mark-up).
- Kotak — Solitaire (invite/premium) — Ultra-premium card with zero forex + family lounge benefits — for high-spend frequent flyers.
Why Zero Forex Markup Credit Cards Matter
If you spend ₹1,00,000 abroad at 3% markup, that’s ₹3,000 lost. A zero-markup card removes that leak, and when combined with the right rewards, it can even make travel cheaper.
1) RBL Bank World Safari — Best for frequent flyers who want travel perks
RBL Bank World Safari credit card offers a 0% markup on eligible foreign currency retail transactions. It also offers lounge access, travel vouchers, and travel insurance that matter for real trips. If you fly often and value travel comforts, this is a top pick.
Who should choose this: Frequent international travellers who want both real savings on forex and useful travel perks (lounges, insurance, travel vouchers).
What to watch: There’s usually a joining/annual fee for the premium variants; do the break-even math (savings vs fee). Also, check whether some merchant categories are excluded from the zero markup (rare but possible).
2) IDFC FIRST WOW! — Best for fee-sensitive travellers and NRIs
IDFC’s FIRST WOW credit card offers zero forex markup and is often lifetime-free, or effectively low-cost since it’s FD-backed and accessible to many. It’s solid for students, NRIs, or anyone who wants a no-nonsense card that doesn’t leak money on foreign spends.
Who should choose this: Students, NRIs, first-time travellers, and anyone who wants zero forex with a low/no annual fee.
What to watch: It’s a secured/FD-linked product — check eligibility (FD amount) and how the credit limit works. Also confirm ATM withdrawal charges abroad (often separate).
3) Scapia (Federal Bank) — Best value challenger: lifetime free + travel perks
Scapia Federal Bank credit card is positioned aggressively for travelers. It offers zero foreign exchange markup is a headline benefit, plus travel rewards and unlimited domestic lounge access in many offers, and often no annual fee in launch/ongoing plans. It’s become a strong value option in 2025.
Who should choose this: Value-hunters who want no annual fee + decent travel rewards; a great “everyday travel” backup card.
What to watch: Newer cards sometimes have evolving offers. Confirm the current reward rates and lounge access details before relying on them exclusively.
4) HDFC Regalia ForexPlus — Best for planned trips & high spenders
HDFC’s Regalia ForexPlus is a single-currency forex product (load USD/EUR, etc.) with zero cross-currency mark-up when you load in the same currency. It’s ideal when you want to avoid any cross-currency conversion surprises and prefer a pre-loaded travel solution. It’s not a regular unlimited-credit-card replacement, but it is excellent for controlled, high-value travel spends.
Who should choose this: Travellers who plan and can pre-load currency (students on long trips, business travelers with predictable budgets).
What to watch: Loading fees, reload convenience, and whether you prefer the flexibility of a regular credit card vs a forex card for refunds/chargebacks.
5) Kotak Solitaire — Best if you’re premium / invited/want family perks
Kotak Solitaire credit card is a premium, invitation-only product that explicitly lists zero forex markup among its travel perks, plus generous airmiles and family lounge access. If you qualify for invites and travel heavily, this is a premium, high-value choice.
Who should choose this: High-spend frequent flyers who can access invite-only premium cards and value family lounge access + premium travel benefits.
What to watch: It’s invite-only, and premium cards often have high opportunity costs (but they also offer outsized benefits if you use them).
Quick comparison of the Best Zero Forex Markup Credit Cards in India
| Card | Zero Forex? | Fee profile | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| RBL World Safari | Yes (T&C) | Premium (fee varies) | Frequent flyers |
| IDFC FIRST WOW! Traveller | Yes (Issuer page) | Lifetime free / FD backed | Fee-sensitive travellers, NRIs |
| Scapia (Federal) | Yes (issuer & reviews) | Often lifetime free | Value travellers |
| HDFC Regalia ForexPlus | Zero cross-currency mark-up (forex card) | Load fees possible | Planned trips, high spends |
| Kotak Solitaire | Yes (premium invite) | Invite-only premium | Affluent frequent flyers |
How to use any zero-forex card the smart way
- Always choose local currency at POS — decline DCC (don’t pay in INR).
- Avoid cash withdrawals unless you need cash; cash usually attracts fees and interest.
- Notify your issuer before travel to avoid blocks.
- Check acceptance — Visa/Mastercard is generally wider than Amex in many countries.
- Run a break-even: annual fee vs forex saved + rewards earned.
Final checklist — should you apply?
- Spend a lot abroad? Apply.
- Want lifetime free + zero forex? Consider IDFC FIRST WOW! or Scapia.
- Want premium perks and don’t mind invite/fees? Consider Kotak Solitaire or RBL World Safari.
- Prefer pre-loaded control? HDFC Regalia ForexPlus.
One small but important warning
“Zero forex markup” usually means the card issuer does not add a separate markup percentage, but the card-network conversion rate still applies (Visa/Mastercard rate). Always read the issuer’s Schedule of Charges and T&C to spot hidden cross-border fees, ATM charges, or category exclusions.
Best Zero Forex Markup Credit Card in India: Verdict
If you love travelling or shop often on international sites, zero forex markup cards are no longer a luxury; they’re a smart money move. A simple switch from a regular credit card to a zero-forex one can save you 3–3.5% on every foreign transaction. That’s ₹3,000 saved on every ₹1 lakh spent without changing a single habit.
