Synopsis: Travel credit cards are one of the best ways to save up some chunk of money while still enjoying the destination of your choice. Two cards that often come up in this discussion are the RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card issued by RBL Bank and the Scapia Credit Card issued in partnership with Federal Bank and Scapia.
International travel has been slowly paced up in the last couple of decades. As many opt for destinations outside the country for various occasions the finances take the strain silently. Nowadays, people usually choose credit cards for travelling instead of loans as it serves the same purpose but with much more flexibility.
One of the biggest expenses travellers face while using regular credit cards abroad is the foreign exchange markup fee. The range is anywhere between 3% and 3.5% on every transaction for most of the regular credits. This led to the introductions of cards with zero forex markup and travel rewards.
The RBL Bank World Safari and the Scapia Credit Card both cards are travel friendly options with zero forex markup but their differentiation lies in the structure of reward of other important charges. Here is a closer look at how these two travel credit cards compare.
1. RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card
- Joining Fee: ₹3000+ taxes
- Annual Fee: ₹3000+ taxes
- Forex Markup: 0%
- Welcome Benefits: Upon successful payment of the first year annual fee (which is joining fee too) and making the first transaction within 30 days – cardholders get a MakeMyTrip voucher worth ₹3000.
- Rewards: 2 rewards points for every eligible domestic retail transaction of ₹100. 5 rewards points for every eligible domestic retail transaction of ₹100 spent on travel.
- Milestone Benefits: 10,000 bonus points received on a spend of ₹2.5 lakh in a membership year. But if you spend a total of 5 lakhs in a membership year you get 15,000 bonus reward points. If the cardholder spends a total of ₹7.5 lakhs then they get a voucher worth ₹10,000 from any of these brands – Taj Experience, Amazon, Croma, Myntra, or MakeMyTrip.
- Lounge Access: Upon spending ₹35,000 on this quarter primary cardholder gets 2 domestic airport lounge access for a quarter. The international lounge access benefit is provided through the priority pass which is already active in the card. Thus, 2 international lounges access in a year with a pass and if spend more than ₹50,000 in a calendar quarter users can avail an extra international lounge access.
Travel Insurance Coverage of the Card
| Benefit / Coverage | Deductible | Coverage Amount ($) | Approx. (₹) |
| Emergency Medical Inpatient | $100 | $50,000 | ₹41,50,000 |
| Repatriation of Mortal Remains | Nil | $7,500 | ₹6,22,500 |
| Dental Expenses | $100 | $250 | ₹20,750 |
| Trip Delay – after 12 hours | Nil | $250 | ₹20,750 |
| Loss of Checked-in Bag | $25 | $200 | ₹16,600 |
| Passport loss | $30 | $300 | ₹24,900 |
| Personal Liability | Nil | $10,000 | ₹8,30,000 |
| Hijack Distress Allowance – after 24 hrs | Nil | $100 per day (max 3 days) | ₹8,300 per day |
Note: The coverage limits and deductibles mentioned above are subject to the terms and conditions of the card issuer and the insurance provider.
Golf Privileges: Access to premium golf courses across India. 4 complimentary green fee rounds per year and 1 complimentary golf lesson every month. 50% discount on green fees after the 4 complimentary rounds.
Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% fuel surcharge waiver at fuel stations across India. It is valid on transactions between ₹500 and ₹4,000. (capped at ₹250 per month)
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
2. Scapia Federal Credit Card
- Joining Fee: Nil
- Annual Fee: Nil
- Forex Markup: 0%
- Rewards
- 10% Scapia Coins on travel bookings made through the Scapia app.
- 2% Scapia Coins on all other eligible transactions.
- Lounge Access
- The Scapia credit card offers domestic airport lounge access but it is spend-based. On a total spend of ₹20,000 across Visa and RuPay cards combined every month, users get unlimited domestic lounge access. Cardholders must meet minimum spending thresholds in the previous billing cycle to access the benefit.
- This spending threshold also unlocks spa and dining benefits at 100+ airports in the country. Upon crossing the milestone of spending users are eligible to get up to ₹1000 back as rewards on spending at the airport.
- Travel Benefits
- Book flights and hotels directly in the app
- Redeem Scapia Coins instantly for travel expenses
To apply for the card, please visit the Official Website
Comparison Between the Two Cards
| Feature | RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card | Scapia Credit Card |
| Joining Fee | ₹3,000 + taxes | Nil |
| Annual Fee | ₹3,000 + taxes | Lifetime free |
| Forex Markup | 0% | 0% |
| Rewards | Reward points | Scapia Coins |
| Lounge Access | Domestic + International (with spend conditions) | Domestic only (spend-based) |
| Milestone Benefits | Yes | No |
| Travel Insurance | Available | Not a core benefit |
Also read: Top 5 Credit Cards Offering Free Trip Cancellation Cover up to ₹50,000 Twice a Year
Which Travel Credit Card Wins?
The RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card may suit travellers who prefer premium travel perks. It is so because of its comprehensive offerings that include international lounge access, milestone rewards and travel insurance benefits. However, the annual fee means it may work best for those who travel regularly and can maximise these benefits. On the other hand, the Scapia Credit Card focuses on simplicity and zero cost of ownership. The major highlight is its lifetime free membership and travel rewards. Overall, Scapia appeals to users who travel occasionally but still want to avoid forex markup charges.
Conclusion
Both the RBL Bank World Safari Credit Card and the Scapia Credit Card cater to travellers who want to avoid the additional cost of foreign exchange markup while spending abroad. The World Safari leans more towards the premium section with additional benefits. In contrast, the Scapia Credit Card is simpler in structure and can be a good add on to the financial asset for its 0 forex markup without having to pay any fees.
Written by Kenbi Riba
