If you live in the US or anywhere outside India and travel to India regularly, your credit card should save you money on foreign transactions and make travel smoother. But not every shiny “travel” card is right for NRIs. Acceptance, foreign-transaction markup, and how points convert back to Indian airlines/hotels matter. Here are five Indian credit cards for NRIs that make sense if you fly home often. In this post, you will discover what Indian credit cards for NRIs are great at, the catches, and the kind of NRI who should pick each.
1) RBL Bank World Safari (zero forex markup)
If you hate the 3–4% foreign-transaction fee on most Indian cards, this one’s the standout. RBL Bank World Safari credit card advertises 0% foreign exchange markup on international spends. For frequent USD↔INR travellers, that’s immediate savings whenever you swipe overseas (or pay for international bookings). It also packs travel perks like lounge access and travel-related reward points.
Who should pick it: NRIs who prioritize the lowest possible cost on foreign spends over premium concierge services or ultra-luxury perks.
Caveat: some zero-forex cards change how they reward international transactions (some give lower/muted reward rates on international swipes). Check the fine print: zero forex doesn’t always mean best value if the card pays no rewards on those spends.
Quick tip: pair a zero-forex card for overseas spending (online bookings, in-country buys abroad) with an India-focused rewards card for domestic spends while you’re in India. You can also check out the IDFC Mayura credit card for zero forex charges.
2) Kotak Solitaire (new, premium travel + 1:1 Air India conversion)
Why it’s useful: Kotak’s Solitaire is a premium, invite-only offering aimed squarely at frequent travellers — unlimited domestic & international lounge access for primary and add-on holders, strong airmile accrual and 1:1 conversion into Air India Air Miles for many redemptions, which is golden if you fly Air India often. It also touts very generous travel perks and, for high-net-worth customers, even zero forex markup on some variants.
Who should pick it: NRIs who travel regularly to India with family and value unlimited lounge access + easy point transfers to Air India (useful for India-domestic and India-international travel).
Caveat: it’s invitation-only and aimed at affluent customers. If you don’t receive an invite, look at Kotak’s other travel cards that offer good air mile accrual and lounge benefits.
Quick tip: if Air India is your main carrier between the US and India, a 1:1 Air Miles conversion can drastically improve your award seat availability and value.
3) HDFC Infinia (super-premium, great global lounge access and perks)
Why it’s useful: HDFC Infinia credit card is an all-rounder for luxury travellers. It offers high reward rates, unlimited lounge access, and concierge services. It also has one of the lower forex markups among super-premium Indian cards (commonly ~2% vs the usual 3.5% on many cards), so your overseas purchases are cheaper than with many premium competitors. If you want service, high point returns, and flexibility, Infinia is a top pick.
Who should pick it: NRIs who want premium service, high reward redemptions, and don’t mind a higher joining/renewal fee in exchange for top-tier benefits.
Caveat: Infinia is often invite-only or requires very high income/relationship banking, and the fee is steep. So, it’s best for high spenders who will extract value from lounge access, concierge, and reward conversions.
Quick tip: activate any global-value/forex programs the card offers (some premium cards let you enrol for extra savings or additional cashback on forex spends).
4) Axis Magnus (premium with solid lounge network + 2% forex)
Why it’s useful: Axis Magnus credit card targets frequent international flyers. It offers Priority Pass international lounge access, a strong rewards program for travel bookings, and generally a lower forex markup (around 2%). It’s also easier to get than invite-only super-premium cards while still offering generous travel credits and welcome vouchers.
Who should pick it: NRIs who want a premium feel without the ultra-exclusive invitation barrier, good lounge access, and decent foreign-transaction economics.
Caveat: some lounge benefits require minimum spend thresholds in prior months (check your variant’s rules), and the card’s full value depends on you using the travel-related perks regularly.
Quick tip: check how many guest visits you get for Priority Pass and whether domestic lounge access is conditional on recent spend. If you travel with family, the guest policy matters.
5) American Express Platinum Travel (best-in-class travel rewards & Partner offers)
Why it’s useful: The American Express Platinum Travel credit card is one of the best travel credit cards in India. It’s built around membership rewards and premium travel benefits. It offers welcome points, attractive bonus thresholds, Amex Travel benefits, and access to curated hotel/airline offers. For NRIs who can use Amex acceptance (and who value high-quality travel redemptions or Amex’s travel portal), this card is powerful. Amex also often bundles Priority Pass or helpful travel credits.
Who should pick it: NRIs who are reward maximisers and book through Amex Travel, or value the specific partner benefits Amex offers (hotel collection perks, curated experiences).
Caveat: Amex acceptance in India and some international places can be less widespread than Visa/Mastercard. If you rely on wide card acceptance (small shops, taxis, certain hotels in India), carry a Visa/Mastercard backup. Also, check the annual fee vs the real value you’ll use.
Quick tip: use the Amex portal and partner offers to push your points into high-value hotel stays — that’s often where Amex gives outsized returns.
How to choose Indian credit cards for NRIs
1. If you want zero forex charges: RBL World Safari. (save money on every international transaction).
2. If you fly Air India a lot and want direct airmile conversions, Kotak Solitaire (1:1 Air India conversion + unlimited lounges).
3. If you want premium perks and concierge services: HDFC Infinia. (best for high spenders who use concierge/lounges).
4. If you want premium benefits without an invite-only barrier: Axis Magnus. (strong lounge network + good rewards).
5. If you maximise portal/partner redemptions: Amex Platinum Travel (but carry a Visa/Mastercard as backup).
Indian credit cards for NRIs: Smart swipe strategies
1. Always pay in the card’s currency when offered DCC? No. Dynamic Currency Conversion usually charges a worse rate. Choose to pay in the local currency whenever possible.
2. Use zero-forex or low-markup card for international hotel/flight bookings and the India-focused card for domestic spends (food and groceries) while in India.
3. Set up an Indian NRE/NRO account for any card bill payment that requires an Indian account. Many NRIs keep an NRE account for credit card payments while abroad to avoid currency conversion hassles.
4. Checkpoints → airline conversion partners before you sign up. A card that converts points 1:1 to an airline you actually use is worth more than a card with higher point accrual but poor transfer partners. (Kotak’s Solitaire has a strong Air India tie-up, for example).
5. Carry two cards: one zero/low-markup Visa/Mastercard for payments and one rewards card (Amex or premium) for portal redemptions if Amex isn’t widely accepted where you shop.
Final checklist before you apply for Indian credit cards for NRIs
1. What is the foreign currency markup on your target card? (3.5% is common; 2% is good; 0% is best if the rest of the product meets your needs).
2. Does the rewards programme convert to airlines/hotels you use? (Air India conversion is a big plus for India trips).
3. Are airport lounge benefits immediate or conditional on spend? (Some cards require prior-period minimum spends).
4. Will you get better acceptance carrying Visa/Mastercard vs Amex when you shop in India? (carry a backup card).
