Synopsis: Planning to spend abroad in 2026? These five credit cards cut foreign transaction costs to zero or near-zero and help travellers in saving up on international shopping, flights, and hotel bookings.
International travelers can significantly reduce trip costs by using credit cards with low foreign exchange (forex) markups. Most standard cards usually charge between 2.5% and 3.5% on every foreign transaction but specialized cards like the Federal Bank Scapia, AU Ixigo, and IDFC FIRST WOW! offer a markup that is impossible to ignore. Some of these cards are often available as lifetime-free (LTF) options which make them an important asset for saving on overseas shopping and travel expenses.
5. AU Zenith+ Credit Card
- Joining Fees: ₹4,999 + taxes
- Annual Fees: ₹4,999 + taxes
- Annual Fees Waiver: Waivable on an spend of ₹8,00,000 in a year
- Best Suited for: Luxury travelers
- Rewards in: Reward Points (1 Reward Point = ₹1)
- Forex Markup: 0.99%
Benefits:
- 16 complimentary international lounge visits every year via Priority Pass. (4 per quarter)
- 2 Reward Points per ₹100 spent on travel, dining, and international transactions
- 1 Reward Point per ₹100 on retail spends across all merchant categories.
Fees & Charges:
- Interest rate of 1.99% per month
- late payment charges up to ₹1,300 apply.
4. RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card
- Joining Fees: ₹3,000 + taxes
- Annual Fees: ₹3,000 + taxes
- Annual Fees Waiver: Not applicable
- Best Suited for: International travelers
- Rewards in: Travel Points
- Forex Markup: 0%
Benefits:
- Welcome gift voucher worth ₹3,000 from MakeMyTrip to offset the joining fee.
- 2 complimentary international lounge visits (via priority pass)
- 2 domestic lounge visits per quarter. (spend of ₹35,000 in the previous quarter needed)
- 2 reward points on domestic retail transaction
- 5 reward points on every eligible retails tran sanction worth ₹100 on travel spends
Fees & Charges:
- Finance charges of 3.99% per month
- A cash advance fee of 2.5% applies.
3. IDFC FIRST WOW! Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees Waiver: Lifetime Free card
- Best Suited for: Students and beginners
- Rewards in: Reward Points
- Forex Markup: 0%
- Card Type: Fixed Deposit Based ( secured card)
Benefits:
- Starting 6.3% interest on your Fixed Deposit p.a. while using the credit limit.
- 4x Reward Points on eligible spends
- 1 Reward Point = ₹0.25
Fees & Charges:
- No over-limit fees or joining fees apply to this secured credit card.
Also Read: 5 Best Yes Bank Credit Cards that Offer Airport Lounge Access in 2026
2. AU Ixigo Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil (Limited time for now as offer)
- Annual Fees: Nil (Limited time for now as offer)
- Annual Fees Waiver: Lifetime Free
- Best Suited for: Budget travelers and Ixigo users
- Rewards in: Ixigo Money / Reward Points
- Forex Markup: 0%
Benefits:
- 10% instant discount on flight and hotel bookings through the Ixigo platform.
- 16 domestic lounge visits and 1 international lounge visit every year.
- zero payment gateway charges on train bookings made via the app.
Fees & Charges:
- Late payment fees up to ₹1,100
- interest rates of 3.75% per month apply.
1. Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card
- Joining Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees: Nil
- Annual Fees Waiver: Lifetime Free
- Best Suited for: Travelers and shoppers
- Rewards in: Scapia Coins
- Forex Markup: 0%
Benefits:
- This card offers a completely digital onboarding process and zero markup on all global spends.
- Domestic lounge access when you spend ₹10,000 per month on Visa Card or ₹15,000 on Rupay Card.
- Every spend earns Scapia Coins which are instantly redeemable for flights and hotels at a value of ₹0.20 per coin.
Fees & Charges:
- A standard cash advance fee of 2.5% and late payment charges based on the outstanding amount apply.
Conclusion
The international travels could be a lot better when you own a card that helps you lower the transaction a bit. It doesn’t have to be completely nil forex markup but, mostly the focus should be on the overall benefit it provides while you are away from home overseas.
Those who fly internationally often can use the benefit of airport lounge access along with the low percentage of foreign currency markup. When you select the right card based on your spending habits it makes sure that your international budget is spent on experiences rather than unnecessary bank fees.
Written by Kenbi Riba
