In terms of market capitalization and assets, HDFC Bank is the biggest private bank in India, with over 2 crore credit card users across the country. The bank offers various types of cards, including super-premium, travel, lifestyle, shopping, and fuel cards, so people can choose the card that suits them best. Many premium and mid-range offerings by HDFC Bank have a lower forex markup fee and are ideal for people who make foreign transactions regularly.
People who frequently travel to foreign countries for business or vacation have to pay extra charges whenever they swipe their card for a foreign currency transaction. Most credit cards from top issuers in our country charge a forex markup fee of around 3-3.5% of the transaction amount. HDFC Bank has multiple cards that have a lower forex markup fee of 2 to 3%, which is lower than the standard 3.5% fee charged by most cards. With some super-premium cards, you even get bonus reward points on international spending and exclusive travel privileges that will make your foreign travels more comfortable and exciting than ever.
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The following are the forex markup fees of some of the top credit cards offered by HDFC Bank.
5 Reward Points/₹200 on All Eligible Retail Spends, Including Utilities, Insurance, and Education. 25 Reward Points/₹200 for Myntra, Marks and Spencer, Nykaa, and Reliance Digital Spends
Voucher Worth ₹2,500
Up to 10% NeuCoins on TataNeu Spends, 5% NeuCoins on Tata Brand Spends and 1.5% NeuCoins on UPI Spends
1,499 NeuCoins on Tata Neu App
5 Reward Points/₹150 on Regular Spends (3.33%) | Up To 10x Reward Points On SmartBuy (Up To 33.33%) | 2x Reward Points (10/₹150) On Weekend Dining (6.67%)
Complimentary Membership of Club Marriott, Swiggy One and Amazon Prime (On Spends of Rs. 1.5 Lakh Within 90 Days of Card Issuance)
5 Reward Points/₹150 Spent (3.33% Reward Rate)
12,500 Bonus Reward Points and Complimentary Club Marriott Membership
When you swipe your credit card for international spends, MasterCard, Visa, or other card networks charge extra for foreign currency markup, and your credit card issuer adds extra to the total charges, which amounts to around 3-3.5% in forex markup charges. If the fee is 3% and you spend Rs. 1 Lakh on a transaction, you will need to pay Rs. 3000 extra.
Moreover, the forex markup fee is charged every time you make a foreign transaction and can add up to a lot over time. In addition, a currency conversion fee is also charged by the payment processor where you swipe your credit card. Thus, foreign spending can get quite expensive for you if you do not own a credit card with low forex markup fees.
You must meet certain eligibility requirements to apply for the HDFC Bank credit cards –
In the following table, we will compare the top HDFC Bank credit cards that have a lower forex markup fee than other cards.
| Category | HDFC Bank Infinia Credit Card | HDFC Bank Diners Club Black Credit Card |
| Joining/Annual Fee | Rs. 12,500 | Rs. 10,000 |
| Welcome Benefit | 12500 bonus reward points and a complimentary Club Marriott membership as a welcome benefit | Complimentary Membership of Club Marriott, Swiggy One and Amazon Prime (On Spends of Rs. 1.5 Lakh Within 90 Days of Card Issuance) |
| Reward Earning | 5 Reward Points/₹150 Spent (3.33% Reward Rate) | 5 Reward Points/₹150 on Regular Spends (3.33%) | Up To 10x Reward Points On SmartBuy (Up To 33.33%) | 2x Reward Points (10/₹150) On Weekend Dining (6.67%) |
| Reward Redemption | RPs can be redeemed for flight and hotel bookings via SmartBuy (1 RP = Re. 1), Airmiles through net banking (1 RP = 1 Airmile), products and vouchers via net banking or SmartBuy (1 RP = Rs. 0.50), Apple and Tanishq vouchers (1 RP = Re. 1), cashback (1 RP = Rs. 0.30) | Redeem Rewards on SmartBuy or for Airmiles and Cashback |
| Dining/Movie Benefits | 1 + 1 Complimentary Buffet at ITC Hotels and Up to ₹500 With Swiggy Dineout | 10% Off Up to ₹400 on Swiggy Dineout (Twice Each Month) and 2X RPs on Weekend Dining |
| Travel Benefits | Unlimited Free Airport Lounge Access | Unlimited Free Airport Lounge Access |
| Forex Markup Fee | 2% | 2% |
Card issuers charge a forex markup fee whenever you swipe your credit card for international transactions in foreign currency. People who regularly visit abroad or make online international spending can end up paying a lot of money in forex markup charges over a period of time. HDFC Bank is one of the top card issuers in India, and you should opt for a card that offers a low forex markup fee if you make international transactions frequently.
As discussed above, HDFC Bank Infinia and HDFC Bank Diners Club Black are among the bank’s super-premium credit cards and charge a relatively low 2% forex markup fee. Other premium cards, such as the HDFC Bank Regalia Gold and Tata Neu Infinity HDFC Bank Credit Card, also carry a 2% forex markup.
Most other HDFC Bank credit cards continue to levy the standard 3.5% forex markup fee.
We recommend everyone who makes frequent foreign currency spending to get one of the cards with a low forex markup fee so that they can save money in the long run.
When you swipe your credit card for international spending, MasterCard, Visa, or other card networks charge extra for foreign currency markup, and your credit card issuer adds extra to the total charges, which amounts to around 3-3.5% in forex markup charges.
Yes, you have to pay the extra forex markup charges every time you make an international spend with your credit card. If you regularly make foreign currency spends, you should get a credit card with a low forex markup fee to save money.
Several HDFC Bank credit cards charge a 2% forex markup fee, which is lower than the standard 3.5% fee charged by most other credit cards. The HDFC Bank Infinia Metal, HDFC Bank Diners Club Black, and HDFC Bank Regalia Gold charge a 2% forex markup fee on international spends.