Leaderboards / Spend Categories

Best for International Spending

Forex markup + international lounges + travel insurance + global network acceptance.

270 cards ranked | Updated February 2026

Key Ranking Factors

35% Forex

Markup percentage

30% Lounges

Global lounge access

20% Insurance

Travel protection

15% Acceptance

Global network

🥇
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 1%
🥈
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 1%
🥉
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

Score

3.50% forex

Top 2%
#4

HSBC Premier

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

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

0.99% forex

Top 2%
#5
HSBC Taj

HSBC Taj

Co-Branded Dining ₹1,10,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 2%
#6
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 3%
#7
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 3%
#8

HDFC World MasterCard

HDFC Bank
Lounge Access Rewards ₹500/yr
3.7 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 3%
#9
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 4%
#10
Standard Chartered Beyond

Standard Chartered Beyond

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

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 4%
#11
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

Score

0.99% forex

Top 5%
#12
Standard Chartered Ultimate

Standard Chartered Ultimate

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

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 5%
#13
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 5%
#13
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 5%
#13
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 5%
#16
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 6%
#17

HDFC Regalia Activ

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 7%
#17

HDFC Doctors Regalia

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 7%
#19
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

Score

1.99% forex

Top 8%
#20
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 8%
#20
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

Score

1.99% forex

Top 8%
#22
Axis Bank Ace

Axis Bank Ace

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

on Axis Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 9%
#23
Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank Atlas

Axis Bank
Lounge Access Premium ₹5,000/yr
3.2 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 9%
#24
HDFC Regalia

HDFC Regalia

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 9%
#24
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

Score

2.00% forex

Top 9%
#24
HDFC Biz Power

HDFC Biz Power

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 9%
#27
Flipkart Axis Bank

Flipkart Axis Bank

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

on Axis Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
Flipkart SBI Card

Flipkart SBI Card

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

on SBI Cards's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
Axis Bank Airtel

Axis Bank Airtel

Axis Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on Axis Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
HDFC Pixel Play

HDFC Pixel Play

HDFC Bank
Cashback Dining ₹500/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
HDFC Pixel Go

HDFC Pixel Go

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27

Paytm HDFC Bank Business

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹500/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

Paytm HDFC Bank SELECT Business

HDFC Bank
Business Cashback ₹500/yr
3.8 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
HDFC Business Platinum

HDFC Business Platinum

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
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

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#27
Swiggy HDFC Bank

Swiggy HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Cashback Co-Branded ₹500/yr
3.9 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 10%
#37
Doctor's SBI Card

Doctor's SBI Card

SBI Cards
Lifestyle Lounge Access ₹1,499/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 14%
#38
HSBC Live+

HSBC Live+

Cashback Dining ₹999/yr
3.6 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 15%
#39
HDFC Regalia First

HDFC Regalia First

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

2.00% forex

Top 15%
#40
Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

Best Price Save Max HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Lounge Access ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 15%
#41
Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

Doctor's SBI Card (IMA)

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

on SBI Cards's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 16%
#42
HSBC Visa Platinum

HSBC Visa Platinum

Entry Level Fuel ₹0/yr
4.1 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HSBC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 16%
#43
HDFC Millennia

HDFC Millennia

HDFC Bank
Cashback Entry Level ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 16%
#43
Cashback SBI Card

Cashback SBI Card

SBI Cards
Cashback Entry Level ₹999/yr
3.3 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on SBI Cards's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 16%
#45
SBI Card Elite

SBI Card Elite

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

on SBI Cards's website

Score

1.99% forex

Top 17%
#45

SBI Card Elite Advantage

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

on SBI Cards's website

Score

1.99% forex

Top 17%
#47
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip

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

on Standard Chartered Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 18%
#47
Apollo SBI Card

Apollo SBI Card

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

on SBI Cards's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 18%
#49
HDFC Diners Club Privilege

HDFC Diners Club Privilege

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

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 19%
#50
InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

InterMiles Platinum HDFC Bank

HDFC Bank
Co-Branded Rewards ₹1,000/yr
3.4 Our Rating
APPLY NOW

on HDFC Bank's website

Score

3.50% forex

Top 19%

About International Rankings

International cards combine low forex markup, global lounge access, travel insurance, and worldwide acceptance. Essential for anyone who travels abroad or shops from international websites.

How We Rank International Cards

  • Forex markup: Lower percentage saves more
  • International lounges: Priority Pass and global networks
  • Travel insurance: Emergency medical coverage abroad
  • Network acceptance: Visa/Mastercard work more widely than others

Forex Rate

Lower is better

Global Coverage

Lounges + acceptance

What Makes a Great International Card

  • Zero/low forex: 0-2% markup is competitive
  • Priority Pass: 1,300+ lounges globally
  • Medical coverage: ₹50L+ emergency medical abroad
  • Wide acceptance: Visa/Mastercard preferred

Who Needs an International Card

  • Frequent international travelers
  • Those shopping from foreign websites
  • Business travelers with global expenses
  • Anyone spending ₹50,000+ abroad annually

Maximizing International Value

  • Always pay local: Decline dynamic currency conversion
  • Notify your bank: Alert them before traveling to avoid blocks
  • Carry backup: Have cards on different networks
  • Know your coverage: Understand insurance terms before traveling

International Card FAQ

Visa or Mastercard for international use?

Both are widely accepted globally. Visa has slightly more acceptance points, but the difference is minimal. Either works well for most international travel.

Bottom Line

For international spending, the combination of low forex, global lounges, and travel insurance makes dedicated international cards highly valuable. The savings and benefits easily justify premium fees for frequent travelers.

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