Forex Card vs International Debit Card
True rupee cost of $1,000 spent abroad on a forex card vs your bank's debit card vs a credit card. Most Indians pay 3-4% in hidden markup.
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Spending $1,500 abroad: at the base USD/INR of ₹84, you would pay ₹1.26 lakh at zero markup. Forex card: ₹1.29 lakh. Debit card: ₹1.34 lakh. Credit card: ₹1.3 lakh. The forex card saves you ₹4,410 vs your bank debit card.
- Base cost (no markup)
- ₹1.26 lakh
- Forex card cost
- ₹1.29 lakh
- Debit card cost
- ₹1.34 lakh
- Credit card cost
- ₹1.3 lakh
- Savings vs debit
- ₹4,410
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What that ₹X markup costs you over a decade of travel
If you travel internationally every year and use a debit card each time, the lifetime cost of the markup is real. Plug the annual figure into the Real Cost Calculator.
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Forex card vs debit vs credit, real-world
- Niyo Global / Fi Money card: zero forex markup on POS + ATM in 100+ countries. Best in class for travellers.
- RBL Global Card: zero markup, lounge access. Strong alternative.
- HDFC ForexPlus / Axis Multi-Currency: 2-2.5% markup but accepted everywhere Visa/Mastercard works. Solid traditional option.
- Bank debit card abroad: 5-6% all-in cost. Avoid unless emergency.
- Premium credit cards (HDFC Infinia, Axis Magnus Burgundy): 2-3% markup but earn back 1.5-2% in reward points. Net cost similar to forex card.
- Standard credit cards: 3.5% markup, fewer rewards. Worst option that is not a debit card.
The Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) angle
Under LRS, every Indian resident can remit up to USD 250,000 per financial year for various purposes (travel, education, gifts, etc.). The bank reports your forex card loading + international card spending to RBI under this limit. For most travellers this is academic, but for high spenders or those funding multiple trips, the limit matters. TCS (Tax Collected at Source) of 20% applies on remittances above ₹7 lakh per year (or above ₹10 lakh starting October 2024). It is recoverable when you file your ITR but creates a cash-flow hit.