Last updated: |Data verified from official bank sources
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Best Cards for Foreign Spends

Low markup for international transactions

Can't decide?

Compare the top 2 cards in this category

Compare #1 vs #2
AU
Editor's Pick

AU Zenith Plus

AU Small Finance Bank

₹5K
per year
Reward: 1%
Forex: 0.99%
Lounge: 16/year
Ultra-low forex (0.99%) international travelers
HS

HSBC Premier Credit Card

HSBC India

₹20K
per year
Reward: 1.33%
Forex: 0.99%
Lounge: Unlimited
HSBC Premier banking customers
MU

OneCard Metal

Multiple (SBM/Federal/BOB)

FREE
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 1%
Free metal card, low forex travelers
IC

ICICI Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank

₹12K
per year
Reward: 4%
Forex: 1.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
Ultra HNI customers
IN

IndusInd Avios Visa Infinite

IndusInd Bank

₹5K
per year
Reward: 1.5%
Forex: 1.5%
Lounge: 2/quarter via Priority Pass
British Airways and OneWorld alliance flyers
RB

RBL Bank Insignia

RBL Bank

₹7K
per year
Reward: 5%
Forex: 1.5%
Lounge: 2/quarter (₹35K spend req)
RBL's top-tier HNI card
IC

ICICI Emeralde

ICICI Bank

₹12K
per year
Reward: 4%
Forex: 1.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
ICICI's wealth management customers
AX

Axis Reserve

Axis Bank

₹50K
per year
Reward: 12.5%
Forex: 1.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
Ultra HNI invite-only customers
IN

IndusInd Legend

IndusInd Bank

₹0
per year
Reward: 1.5%
Forex: 1.8%
Lounge: Discontinued Mar 2025
Low forex markup (1.8%) international spenders
SB

SBI Card AURUM

SBI Card

₹10K
per year
Reward: 3%
Forex: 1.99%
Lounge: Unlimited
SBI's top-tier offering
SB

SBI Card ELITE

SBI Card

₹5K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 1.99%
Lounge: 2/quarter
Movie lovers + travelers
ID

IDFC FIRST Select

IDFC FIRST Bank

FREE
per year
Reward: 3%
Forex: 1.99%
Lounge: 1/quarter (₹20K spend required from Apr 2026)
Best lifetime free card overall
HD

HDFC Infinia Metal

HDFC Bank

₹13K
per year
Reward: 3.33%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: Unlimited
Premium travelers spending ₹10L+/year
HD

HDFC Diners Club Black

HDFC Bank

₹10K
per year
Reward: 3.33%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: Unlimited
High spenders at large merchants
HD

HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 2.66%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: 12/year
Mid-tier spenders wanting lounge access
HD

HDFC Regalia

HDFC Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 2.66%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: 12/year
Upgrade path to Infinia
AX

Axis Magnus

Axis Bank

₹13K
per year
Reward: 6%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: Unlimited
Travelers with high spend
ST

Standard Chartered Ultimate

Standard Chartered

₹5K
per year
Reward: 3.33%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: 4/quarter
High reward rate including utilities/insurance
KO

Kotak White Reserve

Kotak Mahindra Bank

₹13K
per year
Reward: 2.5%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: Unlimited
Ultra-premium lifestyle with unlimited lounges
IN

IndusInd Duo Plus

IndusInd Bank

₹799
per year
Reward: 0.67%
Forex: 2%
Basic IndusInd rewards card
BA

BOB Eterna Credit Card

Bank of Baroda

₹2K
per year
Reward: 3%
Forex: 2%
Lounge: Unlimited (₹40K quarterly spend req)
BOB's premium travel card
HD

HDFC Millennia

HDFC Bank

₹1K
per year
Reward: 1%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 8/year
Online shoppers on major platforms
HD

HDFC Marriott Bonvoy

HDFC Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Marriott loyalists
IC

ICICI Sapphiro

ICICI Bank

₹4K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/quarter
Premium lifestyle spenders
AX

Axis Select

Axis Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 5%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 2/quarter (spend ₹50K required)
Lifestyle spenders wanting Priority Pass
SB

SBI SimplyCLICK

SBI Card

₹499
per year
Reward: 1%
Forex: 3.5%
Online shoppers, first credit card
AM

Amex Platinum Charge Card

American Express

₹78K
per year
Reward: 2.5%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
Ultra luxury travelers with ₹77K to spare
KO

Kotak Air+

Kotak Mahindra Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
Frequent travelers earning Air Miles
KO

Kotak IndianOil Credit Card

Kotak Mahindra Bank

₹449
per year
Reward: 2.67%
Forex: 3.5%
IndianOil fuel users with regular grocery/dining spends
IN

IndusInd Pinnacle

IndusInd Bank

₹0
per year
Reward: 2.5%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
Premium lifestyle spenders wanting no annual fee
IN

IndusInd Pioneer Heritage

IndusInd Bank

₹25K
per year
Reward: 1%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: Unlimited via LoungeKey
Ultra HNI IndusInd customers
IN

IndusInd Crest

IndusInd Bank

₹10K
per year
Reward: 1%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 2/quarter
Invite-only premium IndusInd card
RB

RBL Bank Icon

RBL Bank

₹5K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 8/year
10X rewards on international + weekend dining
BA

BOB Premier Credit Card

Bank of Baroda

FREE
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
Free premium card with travel benefits
PU

PNB RuPay Select

Punjab National Bank

₹750
per year
Reward: 1.33%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 2/quarter
PSU bank customers wanting lounge access + insurance
PU

PNB Global Platinum

Punjab National Bank

₹2K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
PNB's premium Visa offering
CA

Canara Mastercard World

Canara Bank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
Canara's premium offering
HD

HDFC Freedom

HDFC Bank

₹500
per year
Reward: 0.67%
Forex: 3.5%
Entry-level card for app-based spending
AX

Axis Privilege

Axis Bank

₹2K
per year
Reward: 3%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
Mid-premium Axis lifestyle card
AM

Amex Gold Card

American Express

₹9K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Entry to Amex premium ecosystem
AM

Amex Platinum Reserve

American Express

₹10K
per year
Reward: 2%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year
Amex semi-premium tier
CI

Citi PremierMiles

Citibank

₹3K
per year
Reward: 4%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: 4/year via Priority Pass
Miles collectors (existing cardholders)
CI

Citi Prestige

Citibank

₹20K
per year
Reward: 4%
Forex: 3.5%
Lounge: Unlimited
Ultra premium (existing cardholders)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best cards for foreign spends in India 2026?
The best cards for foreign spends in India for 2026 is AU Zenith Plus from AU Small Finance Bank, offering ultra-low forex (0.99%) international travelers.
How many cards for foreign spends are available in India?
We compare 43 cards for foreign spends from top Indian banks including HDFC, Axis, SBI, ICICI, and more.
How do I choose the right cards for foreign spends?
Consider your spending patterns, required features like forex rates, annual fees, and eligibility requirements. Use our Card Finder quiz for personalized recommendations.
PM
PlasticMoney Research Team
Personal finance experts analyzing credit cards since 2023