If you have been on an international trip and your credit card bill came to more than what you had expected. It might be due to forex markup charges. The forex markup charge is an additional fee charged by the bank for transactions made in foreign currency. It is essentially the added fee for converting your money. There are banks that offer low-forex-markup cards and zero-forex-charge credit cards.
PNB Bank charges a forex markup fee to its users when they make foreign transactions. Most credit cards charge 3.5% of what you have spent, plus the GST charges; there are some credit cards that have comparatively lower forex markup prices. In case you travel a lot internationally, and you spend a lot using your credit card, then you should opt for a credit card that has a low forex markup fee or a zero forex credit card.
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Let’s know more about the forex markup charges on some of the top PNB Bank credit cards –
3X Reward Points/₹100 Spent on Dining and Travel. 4 Reward Points/₹100 Spent
20,000 RPs (₹5,000 Value) on ₹50,000 Spend in 90 Days for Both Infinite and Ekaa Variants
Card Details +
The PNB Luxura Rupay is a premium card offered by PNB Bank. It is a dining and travel-focused credit card, a good choice for high-net-worth individuals who spend while staying in luxury hotels and frequently travel internationally. This credit card offers zero forex markup charge on international transactions.
1.5% Cashback as Kiwis on Scan and Pay Transactions, 0.5% Cashback as Kiwis on Online Transactions
N/A
Card Details +
The PNB Kiwi Credit Card is a lifetime free RuPay credit card designed for UPI users. It offers cashback on eligible UPI transactions along with the convenience of making payments through the Kiwi app.
Earn 4 Points For Every ₹100 Spent
Voucher worth ₹3,000 for flight, hotel, and holiday bookings and 300 reward points on the first transaction
Card Details +
The PNB EMT RuPay Platinum Credit Card is a travel-focused co-branded card offering rewards on travel bookings made through EaseMyTrip. Cardholders also receive RuPay Platinum benefits along with travel-related privileges and discounts.
A zero-forex markup credit card is a card that does not charge any fees when using the credit card internationally. It is ideal for people who frequently travel internationally. It is the best choice for users who shop online on international websites, as this way the user can save the extra charges and shop without worrying about their credit card bill at the end of the month.
By using a credit card with no forex markup fee, you can eliminate the inconvenience of currency exchange and save money in the process. Simply swipe your card, and you’re all set.
When using a fee-free forex credit card, you won’t incur extra currency conversion costs since the issuer will convert the transaction amount into the local currency without imposing any additional fees.
Before you apply for credit cards from PNB, make sure you meet the following eligibility requirements –
In the following table, we will compare some of the best PNB credit cards –
| Category | PNB LUXURA Metal (RuPay) | PNB EMT RuPay Platinum |
| Joining Fee | ₹9,000 + GST | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Annual Fee | ₹7,500 + GST | ₹2,000 + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 40,000 Reward Points on Spends of ₹50,000 in the First 90 Days | Voucher Worth ₹3,000 |
| Reward Earning | 3X Reward Points/₹100 Spent on Dining and Travel. 4 Reward Points/₹100 Spent | 4 Points For Every ₹100 Spent |
| Dining/Movie Benefits | BOGO on Movie Ticket Bookings (Up to ₹500) Once Each Month | N/A |
| Travel Benefits | Complimentary Memberships | Free Airport Lounge Access |
| Forex Markup Fee | Zero | 3.5% |
PNB credit cards are good for everyday use. But most of their cards charge a 3.5% forex markup, which can make your international expenses higher than expected. The PNB LUXURA RuPay Metal Credit Card is the best when it comes to international transactions, as it comes with zero Forex charges.
So, if you travel abroad often or shop from international websites, it’s smarter to opt for the PNB LUXURA Credit Card.
A forex markup fee is an extra charge applied by banks when you make transactions in a foreign currency. It is added on top of the currency conversion rate.
Most PNB credit cards charge a forex markup fee of 3.5% + GST on international transactions. However, the PNB LUXURA RuPay Metal Credit Card offers a lower rate of 2.5% + GST.
Among PNB cards, the PNB LUXURA RuPay Metal Credit Card currently has the lowest forex markup fee at 2.5%.
Yes, the percentage fee remains the same, but the final cost depends on the exchange rate of the currency used.
Yes, GST is applicable on the forex markup fee charged by the bank, which increases the overall cost.