International spending on a regular credit card can cost you 2%–3.5% in forex markup fees — a hidden tax on every transaction. Travel credit cards eliminate or reduce this markup while adding perks like lounge access, travel insurance, and accelerated reward points on foreign spending.
What to look for
The three non-negotiable features for a travel card are: low or zero forex markup (below 1.5%), complimentary airport lounge access (Priority Pass or equivalent), and travel insurance (covering trip cancellation, baggage loss, and medical emergencies). Everything else is bonus.
Top picks for 2026
HDFC Infinia remains the gold standard for high spenders. Zero forex markup, unlimited lounge access, 3.3% reward value on international spends, and comprehensive travel insurance. The catch: invitation-only, requiring 10+ lakh monthly spending or significant HDFC relationship.
Axis Atlas offers zero forex markup, 5 reward points per 100 on international spends (worth roughly 2.5%), and unlimited lounge visits. Annual fee of 5,000 is waived on 5 lakh annual spend — achievable for regular travelers.
IDFC First WOW is the budget pick: zero annual fee, 1.5% forex markup (vs 3.5% on most cards), and decent reward rates. No lounge access, but for occasional travelers, the forex savings alone justify carrying it.
SBI Card Elite gives 2x rewards on international spends, complimentary lounge access (6 per year), and a 5,000 annual fee waived on 10 lakh spend.
Forex markup math
On a 2 lakh international trip, the forex markup difference between a 3.5% card and a 0% card is 7,000 — more than most annual fees. If you travel internationally even once a year, a zero-markup card pays for itself.
Pro tips
- Always choose to pay in local currency abroad (not INR) to avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion markups.
- Notify your bank before traveling to avoid fraud blocks on international transactions.
- Carry two cards from different networks (Visa + Mastercard) as backup.
Explore all travel-friendly cards with fee and reward details on our credit cards page.