Leaderboards / Pure Metrics

Best Forex Cards

Lowest markup for international transactions. Zero forex markup cards save significantly on foreign spending.

275 cards ranked | Updated February 2026

Key Ranking Factors

60% Markup

Forex markup percentage

15% Intl Usage

Enabled for foreign use

15% Lounges

International lounge access

10% Value

Rate vs annual fee

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MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹999/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

0.99% markup

Top 1%
🥈

HSBC Premier

Lounge Access Premium ₹20,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Value

0.99% markup

Top 1%
🥉
Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

Amazon Pay ICICI Bank

ICICI Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹0/yr
4.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

1.99% markup

Top 2%
#4
Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

Tata Neu Infinity SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

1.99% markup

Top 2%
#5
SBI Card Elite

SBI Card Elite

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

1.99% markup

Top 2%
#5

SBI Card Elite Advantage

SBI Cards
Dining Lifestyle ₹4,999/yr
2.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

1.99% markup

Top 2%
#7
Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

Tata Neu Plus HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 3%
#8
HDFC Regalia First

HDFC Regalia First

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹1,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 3%
#9
Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank

Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10
HDFC Regalia

HDFC Regalia

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10
HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Regalia Gold

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10

HDFC Regalia Activ

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10
HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Diners Club Premium

HDFC Bank
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10

HDFC Doctors Regalia

HDFC Bank
Healthcare Lifestyle ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10
HDFC InterMiles Signature

HDFC InterMiles Signature

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹2,500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#10
HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Bank
Business Fuel ₹2,500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 4%
#17
Standard Chartered Ultimate

Standard Chartered Ultimate

Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 7%
#17
HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC InterMiles Diners Club

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹5,000/yr
4.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 7%
#19
HDFC Diners Club Black

HDFC Diners Club Black

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹10,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 7%
#19
HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition

HDFC Diners Club Black Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Dining Lifestyle ₹10,000/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 7%
#19
HDFC Biz Black Metal Edition

HDFC Biz Black Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Business Lounge Access ₹10,000/yr
4.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 7%
#22
ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank Emeralde Private Metal

ICICI Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on ICICI Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 8%
#23
HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Infinia Metal Edition

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹12,500/yr
3.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 9%
#24
Standard Chartered Beyond

Standard Chartered Beyond

Dining Lifestyle ₹25,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

2.00% markup

Top 9%
#25
HDFC Diners Club Miles

HDFC Diners Club Miles

HDFC Bank
Dining Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.00% markup

Top 10%
#25
HDFC Diners Club Rewardz

HDFC Diners Club Rewardz

HDFC Bank
Entry Level Rewards ₹1,000/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.00% markup

Top 10%
#27
HSBC Visa Platinum

HSBC Visa Platinum

Entry Level Fuel ₹0/yr
4.1 Our Rating
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on HSBC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 10%
#27
HSBC RuPay Platinum

HSBC RuPay Platinum

Entry Level Lifetime Free ₹0/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 10%
#27
Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

Standard Chartered Priority Visa Infinite

Lounge Access Premium ₹0/yr
4.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 10%
#27
Standard Chartered DigiSmart

Standard Chartered DigiSmart

Co-Branded Dining ₹0/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 10%
#31
IDFC FIRST Power

IDFC FIRST Power

IDFC First Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹199/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on IDFC First Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 12%
#32
HDFC Pixel Go

HDFC Pixel Go

HDFC Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹250/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 12%
#32

Standard Chartered Platinum Rewards

Dining Entry Level ₹250/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 12%
#34
Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank

Shoppers Stop HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹299/yr
3.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 13%
#34
HDFC Business Platinum

HDFC Business Platinum

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹299/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 13%
#36
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip

Co-Branded Entry Level ₹350/yr
3.0 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
Axis Bank Ace

Axis Bank Ace

Axis Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
SimplyCLICK SBI Card

SimplyCLICK SBI Card

SBI Cards
Entry Level Rewards ₹499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno

PhonePe HDFC Bank Uno

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
Flipkart Wholesale HDFC Bank

Flipkart Wholesale HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹499/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
Standard Chartered Smart

Standard Chartered Smart

Cashback Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
Tata Neu Plus SBI Card

Tata Neu Plus SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
Apollo SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Rewards ₹499/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
PhonePe SBI Card PURPLE

PhonePe SBI Card PURPLE

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
SimplySAVE SBI Card

SimplySAVE SBI Card

SBI Cards
Dining Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#37
BPCL SBI Card

BPCL SBI Card

SBI Cards
Co-Branded Entry Level ₹499/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 14%
#47
Flipkart Axis Bank

Flipkart Axis Bank

Axis Bank
Co-Branded Shopping ₹500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 18%
#47
HDFC MoneyBack Plus

HDFC MoneyBack Plus

HDFC Bank
Entry Level Rewards ₹500/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 18%
#47
Flipkart SBI Card

Flipkart SBI Card

SBI Cards
Cashback Co-Branded ₹500/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 18%
#47

IRCTC HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹500/yr
3.5 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Value

3.50% markup

Top 18%

Understanding Forex Markup

When you spend internationally, credit cards add a forex markup (typically 1-3.5%) on top of the currency conversion. On a ₹5 lakh international trip, 3.5% markup costs ₹17,500 extra.

Zero or low forex cards can save thousands on international spending, making them essential for frequent travelers.

How We Rank Forex Cards

  • Forex markup (60%): Lower percentage is better; 0% is ideal
  • International usage (15%): Must be enabled for foreign transactions
  • International lounges (15%): Priority Pass and global lounge networks
  • Value adjustment (10%): Low forex on cheaper card ranks higher

Forex Markup

0% ideal

Network

Global acceptance

Finding Low Forex Cards

  • 0% markup: Some premium cards offer true zero forex
  • Under 2%: Anything below 2% is competitive
  • No dynamic conversion: Always pay in local currency, not INR

Who Needs Low Forex

  • Frequent international travelers
  • Online shoppers from international sites
  • Business travelers with foreign expenses
  • Anyone spending ₹1L+ internationally annually

Saving on International Spending

  • Always pay in local currency: Decline dynamic currency conversion at payment
  • Combine with travel rewards: Best forex cards often have travel bonuses too
  • Check network acceptance: Visa/Mastercard accepted wider than Amex/Diners

Forex Card FAQ

What's the difference between forex markup and conversion rate?

Conversion rate is set by card networks (Visa/Mastercard) and is usually competitive. Forex markup is an additional percentage your bank charges on top. Zero markup means you only pay the network conversion rate.

Bottom Line

If you spend internationally, forex markup is a hidden cost that adds up quickly. Zero or low markup cards pay for themselves through savings on foreign transactions.

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