Best Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fee in 2025 – Save More on Every Global Spend
- Anusha Madda
- 4 hours ago
- 8 min read

When have you ever used your Indian credit card to shop in a foreign country or reserve on one of the international sites? You might have realized that there was an added extra charge, but a slight one that hurt so much, which is foreign transaction fees (also referred to as forex markup fees).
Banks impose these charges, which are normally 1.75 percent to 3.5 percent, to convert foreign currency into Indian Rupees on the transaction you make. Although a percentage would appear small, the amount may be a lot when you travel or shop overseas frequently.
E.g., when you spend Rs 1 lakh in a foreign country, you might end up spending an extra Rs 3,500 to cover forex charges. It is money that you could have easily saved using the right credit card.
That is where the credit cards with no foreign transaction charges come in; they enable you to use the card outside the country and spend the money at the true exchange rates without any markups or inclusive charges.
This blog will discuss the best credit cards in India, which have zero foreign transaction charges in 2025, their advantages, and assist you in establishing the right credit card in terms of your travel and foreign expenses.
What Are Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fees in 2025?
The credit card with zero foreign-exchange charges is targeted at international travelers, online users, freelancers, and students who have to process a lot of foreign payments.
These cards get rid of the markup fee that the banks normally charge on each foreign purchase. Whether you're:
Reservation of a flight in an international airline,
Paying tuition fees abroad,
Purchasing through foreign stores such as Amazon International or Shein
Dining overseas
You will save 2-3.5 percent on all your transactions with a forex markup credit card.
Benefits of the Zero Forex Markup Credit Card:
Discount on all international expenses up to 3.5 percent.
Perfect solution for people who travel a lot or are digital nomads.
Accepts Visa, Mastercard, or RuPay cards worldwide.
Clear exchange rates, which are usually live interbank rates.
They also have some other travel perks, such as airport lounges and flight discounts.
Top 5 Credit Cards Without Foreign Transaction Fee in 2025 (India)
1. Scapia Credit Card (by Federal Bank – Visa Platform)

Best To: Digital spenders and modern travelers.
The Scapia Credit Card is a popular option among Indian travelers who desire a fintech-friendly experience with zero-forex markups. This card is a partnership with Federal Bank and is powered by Visa and is very simple, saving, and offering rewards.
Key Features:
0% foreign transaction fee — spend globally without extra cost.
3-month no-cost EMI on travel spends.
20% Scapia coins on travel bookings done on the Scapia App. Instant in-app repayment.
Lifetime Free Credit Card
Unlimited domestic lounge visits on spending a minimum of Rs 5000 per month.
Real-time forex rate updates.
Why It Stands Out:
Scapia has managed to remove all charges on foreign transactions and reward users on each purchase. You can pay to Airbnb, Expedia, or even Dubai, and your money will be charged at the actual exchange rate - no future surprises.
Ideal For:
Freelancers who receive or spend money overseas.
Students abroad.
Middle and high-income travelers who do not wish to pay hidden fees.
To know more about the card and the unbiased AI score of the card, click here
2. Ixigo AU Credit Card

Best For: Frequent flyers and travel deal seekers
Ixigo and the famous AU Small Finance Bank introduce the Ixigo AU Credit Card that allows enjoying travel benefits and, at the same time, saving money on exchange rates.
Key Features:
Zero forex markup on all international transactions.
10% instant discount on flight, hotel, and train bookings via Ixigo.
8 free domestic lounge access in a year. Maximum of two each quarter on spends of ₹20,000 or more in a calendar quarter
One international lounge access in a year via Priority Pass. After exceeding the set limit of complimentary visits, cardholders shall be charged $27 + taxes for lounge visits within India and outside India via Priority Pass.
8 complimentary railway lounge access in a year is provided with the ixigo AU Bank Credit Card.
Why It Stands Out:
Ixigo AU Card provides freedom of foreign spending and discounts on travel in a single package. The card is particularly beneficial to frequent travelers who regularly purchase flights, local and international, via Ixigo.
It is also an excellent card to use in case of international hotel reservations and restaurants due to its zero foreign exchange markup advantage.
Ideal For:
Budget travelers and frequent flyers.
Users who are fond of the Ixigo ecosystem for making travel bookings.
To know more about the card and the unbiased AI score of the card, click here
3. MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card

Best For: Travel lovers who like to book through MMT.
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Credit Card is a card designed with the intention of satisfying the needs of travelers who appreciate convenience and travel benefits.
Key Features:
Low Forex on International SpendsMakeMyTrip ICICI Credit Card holders are only charged a minimal 0.99% Forex fee on international transactions
Welcome benefits: Cardholders will get a complimentary MMTBlack membership for one year. They will also get a MakeMyTrip voucher of Rs 1,000, which is valid for one year, on payment of joining fees.
Cardholders get 8 domestic lounge accesses and 1 international lounge visit free per year.
Annual fee waiver on spends of Rs 3,00,000 in an anniversary year.
Cardholders will get 6% myCash on hotel bookings, over and above the discounts on MakeMyTrip. Hotel cashback rate: 6%
The value of 1 myCash point is INR 1.
3% cashback on flight, bus, and cab bookings, over and above the discounts on MakeMyTrip.
1% cashback on all other retail spends.
Movie Benefits: Cardholders will get up to Rs 150 OFF on their second ticket purchase on BookMyShow and INOX twice a month.
Why It Stands Out:
MMT ICICI Card eases the cost of international traveling but provides direct savings on hotel and flight reservations. It has an ideal reward system whereby the frequent traveler will find it easy to book online with MakeMyTrip.
Ideal For:
Customers who make their bookings via MakeMyTrip
Customers who like travel reward points and cashback.
To know more about the card and the unbiased AI score of the card, click here
4. IDFC FIRST Bank Mayura Credit Card

Best For: Premium and luxury travelers
IDFC FIRST Mayura Credit Card is a premium card that takes global spending to a new level. Being the card with a 0% forex markup, exclusive privileges, and travel rewards, it is targeted at high-end customers who travel internationally regularly.
Key Features:
0% forex markup on all international transactions.
Welcome benefits: For every transaction above ₹1,000, users will receive ₹1,000 as cashback, up to a maximum of four times. This is valid for the first 60 days after the virtual credit card is generated. Users can get a bonus of 10,000 reward points (worth ₹2,500) for cards generated on or before 30th November 2024.
Milestone benefit: Users will get 10X reward points on incremental spending above ₹20,000 in a monthly statement cycle.
Users can avail a Buy One Get One Free offer on movie tickets on BookMyShow with up to ₹500 off on the second ticket. This benefit can be availed twice in a calendar month.
Users will get access to domestic and international airport lounges and airport spas 4 times in India and 4 times abroad.
Why It Stands Out:
The Mayura Credit Card gives you seamless global spending power and luxury lifestyle privileges. It’s not just about saving on forex fees — it’s about making every travel experience more premium.
Ideal For:
Business travelers and frequent international flyers.
Users who want luxury travel benefits and unlimited lounge access.
To know more about the card and the unbiased AI score of the card, click here
5. Niyo SBM Global Credit Card

Best For: Students, freelancers, and digital nomads
The Niyo SBM Global Credit Card is a revolutionary fintech product designed to simplify global spending for young professionals, freelancers, and students.
Key Features:
Zero forex markup on all international transactions.
Zero convenience fee on flight bookings.
1-day delivery of a credit card.
If a user spends INR 50,000 in a quarter, then he can enjoy free lounge access at airports outside India in the next quarter.
Lifetime free with no joining or annual fees.
Why It Stands Out:
The Niyo SBM Global Credit Card gives users the true value of every rupee spent abroad. Whether you’re paying university fees in the UK, shopping on Amazon Global, or using global SaaS tools, Niyo ensures transparency and savings with real-time rates.
Ideal For:
Students studying abroad.
Digital workers or freelancers are paid in foreign currency.
Frequent international shoppers.
To know more about the card and the unbiased AI score of the card, click here
Comparison Table: Best Zero Forex Credit Cards in India (2025)
Credit Card | Forex Markup | Annual Fee | Ideal For | Key Highlights |
Scapia Credit Card | 0% | ₹0 | Travelers & shoppers | Rewards + Zero forex |
Ixigo AU Credit Card | 0% | ₹999 (waived on spend) | Travel bookings | 10% Ixigo discounts |
MakeMyTrip ICICI Bank Card | 0% | ₹500 | MMT/Goibibo users | MMTBLACK + cashback |
IDFC Mayura Credit Card | 0% | ₹4,999 | Luxury travelers | Lounge + travel insurance |
Niyo SBM Global Card | 0% | ₹0 | Students, freelancers | Real-time currency rate |
To know about the lifetime free credit cards, click here
How to Choose the Best Credit Card Without a Foreign Transaction Fee
The factors to be considered before choosing your card are:
Frequency of traveling: In case you travel abroad frequently, you can use IDFC Mayura or Scapia.
Your way of life: Niyo SBM will be of most benefit to the students and the digital workers.
Preferred platform: In case you are a frequent user of Ixigo or MakeMyTrip, the co-branded cards will be the most appropriate.
Complimentary cards vs. cost-effective cards: Benefits are given on some cards, and sometimes the price will be justified by the premium features provided.
Conclusion
Smart travelers are also foregoing old credit cards that have forex charges hidden in their use and adopting credit cards with zero forex markup in 2025.
Whether it is fintech incentives provided by Scapia, specialized travel benefits at the luxury end of the scale in the case of IDFC Mayura, or global convenience offered by Niyo, all these cards have something worthy of consideration.
When you select a credit card that does not charge a foreign transaction fee in India, then you save up to 3.5 percent on all of your international purchases that include traveling, studying, shopping online, and more.
With MyRupaya’s expert insights, you can find the best credit cards without a foreign Transaction fee in 2025 for your global lifestyle — because every rupee you save abroad is a smarter rupee earned at home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the most preferred credit card in India that has no foreign transaction fee in 2025?
Scapia credit card and Niyo SBM Global credit card are the most suitable for most users because of their lifetime free system and the actual 0% forex charge on all overseas transactions.
Are zero-forex credit cards free of charge?
Yes, the cards on the list above do not mark up foreign transactions. Nevertheless, it is worth mentioning that network conversion fees (Visa/Mastercard) can still be charged in some exceptional instances, but they are insignificant when compared to the rest.
Which is superior, Scapia or Niyo Global Card?
In case you like travel benefits, pick Scapia. In case you want pure savings and transparency in your overseas expenditure or fees, the Niyo SBM Global Card will be more appropriate.
Are these cards applicable to international online shopping?
Absolutely! Every zero-forex card allows online international payments to such sites as Netflix, Amazon Global, Canva, Adobe, and others.
Are these cards accompanied by lounge access?
Yes! Such cards as Ixigo AU, MakeMyTrip ICICI, and IDFC Mayura will provide free domestic or international airport lounge services based on the tier.
What is the savings amount of a zero forex card?
In this case, you will save an average of Rs 2,500-3,500 in the foreign exchange markup charges by spending Rs 1,00,000 in any of these cards.
Are students eligible to get zero forex cards?
Yes. Niyo SBM Global and Scapia Credit Cards can be best defined as a student study abroad card - they are simple to apply for and are fully digital.




























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