Best Credit Cards for International Travel 2025 (That You Can Actually Get)

Let's be honest—everyone recommends HDFC Infinia or Amex Platinum for international travel. But what if you can't get those? This guide focuses on accessible cards with genuine value for international travelers.

Key Insight: For international travel, forex markup is often more important than rewards. A 3.5% markup card gives back 2% in rewards = still 1.5% loss. A 2% markup card that earns 1% = only 1% loss.

What Matters for International Travel

Factor	Why It Matters
Forex Markup	3.5% vs 1.5% = ₹2,000 difference on ₹1L spend
Lounge Access	Priority Pass for international airports
Travel Insurance	Medical emergencies abroad are expensive
Acceptance	Visa/Mastercard > Amex abroad
Emergency Support	24/7 helpline, emergency card replacement

Top Cards Ranked by Accessibility

Tier 1: Easy to Get (₹6-12L Income)

1. HDFC Regalia - Best Accessible All-Rounder

Annual Fee: ₹2,500 | Forex Markup: 3.5%

Feature	Details
Lounge	Priority Pass (8 visits/quarter shared domestic+international)
SmartBuy	5X on international flight bookings
Insurance	₹50L travel insurance
Network	Visa (universal acceptance)

Best For: First international trip, occasional travelers.

Reality: Forex markup is high, but the lounges and insurance make it worthwhile for 1-2 trips/year.

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2. HSBC TravelOne - Best Low Forex Option

Annual Fee: ₹2,999 | Forex Markup: 1.75%

Feature	Details
Lounge	4 international + 4 domestic/year
Forex	1.75% (one of India's lowest)
Insurance	₹25L coverage
Network	Visa

Best For: Heavy international spenders who want to minimize forex loss.

Savings Example: On ₹5L international spend:

• Regular card (3.5%): ₹17,500 markup
• HSBC TravelOne (1.75%): ₹8,750 markup
• Savings: ₹8,750

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3. IDFC First Select - Best Zero Forex (Debit)

Annual Fee: ₹0 | Forex Markup: 0%

Feature	Details
Forex	Zero markup on international transactions
Lounge	4 visits/year
Network	Visa
Card Type	Debit card (not credit)

Best For: International shopping and travel with zero forex loss.

Important: This is a debit card, so no credit float. But zero forex is unbeatable.

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Tier 2: Moderate Requirements (₹12-24L Income)

4. Axis Atlas - Best for Miles Accumulation

Annual Fee: ₹5,000 | Forex Markup: 2%

Feature	Details
Lounge	Priority Pass (limited visits)
Miles	Excellent transfer partners
Forex	2% (reasonable)
Network	Visa

Best For: Travelers who want to accumulate miles for future business class redemptions.

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5. SBI Elite - Best SBI Option

Annual Fee: ₹4,999 | Forex Markup: 3.5%

Feature	Details
Lounge	6 visits/quarter
Insurance	Comprehensive
Trident Privilege	Hotel membership included
Network	Visa

Best For: SBI customers who want premium benefits without switching banks.

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6. Amex Platinum Travel - Best Amex Entry Point

Annual Fee: ₹5,000 | Forex Markup: 3.5%

Feature	Details
Lounge	Priority Pass + Amex lounges
MR Points	Good earn rate
Insurance	Strong coverage
Network	Amex (limited international acceptance)

Best For: Building Amex relationship for future Platinum upgrade.

Caution: Amex acceptance is patchy in many countries. Always carry Visa/MC backup.

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Tier 3: Premium Aspirational (₹24L+ Income)

7. HDFC Regalia Gold - Step Before Infinia

Annual Fee: ₹5,000 | Forex Markup: 2%

Feature	Details
Lounge	12 visits/year Priority Pass
SmartBuy	10X multiplier
Insurance	Enhanced coverage
Milestone	Good bonus rewards

Best For: Serious travelers preparing for Infinia upgrade.

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8. Axis Magnus - Milestone King

Annual Fee: ₹12,500 | Forex Markup: 3.5%

Feature	Details
Lounge	Priority Pass
Miles	12 per ₹200 + milestones
Transfer	Air France/KLM, Etihad
Insurance	Comprehensive

Best For: High spenders who can hit quarterly milestones for massive bonus miles.

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Forex Markup Comparison

Card	Forex Markup	On ₹5L Spend
IDFC First Select (Debit)	0%	₹0
HSBC Premier	0%	₹0
HSBC TravelOne	1.75%	₹8,750
HDFC Infinia	2%	₹10,000
Axis Atlas	2%	₹10,000
HDFC Regalia Gold	2%	₹10,000
HDFC Regalia	3.5%	₹17,500
Amex Platinum	3.5%	₹17,500
Axis Magnus	3.5%	₹17,500

Insight: Even premium cards like Axis Magnus have high forex markup. Don't assume expensive = good forex.

Lounge Access for International Airports

Priority Pass Network

Card	PP Visits/Year	Guest Policy
HDFC Infinia	Unlimited	1 free guest
Axis Magnus	Limited	Paid guests
HDFC Regalia Gold	12	Paid guests
Axis Atlas	8	Paid guests
HDFC Regalia	8	Paid guests
HSBC TravelOne	4	No guests

Popular International Airport Lounges

Airport	Lounge Options
Dubai (DXB)	Multiple PP lounges
Singapore (SIN)	SATS Premier, Marhaba
Bangkok (BKK)	Miracle lounges
London (LHR)	Plaza Premium, No.1
New York (JFK)	Limited PP options

Pro Tip: Check Priority Pass app before travel to see lounges at your destination.

Travel Insurance Comparison

Card	Coverage	Medical	Trip Cancel
HDFC Infinia	₹2Cr	₹25L	Yes
HDFC Regalia Gold	₹1Cr	₹15L	Yes
HDFC Regalia	₹50L	₹10L	Yes
Amex Platinum	₹1Cr+	₹25L	Yes
HSBC TravelOne	₹25L	₹10L	Limited

Important: Card insurance requires booking travel on the card. Read T&Cs carefully.

Best Combinations for Different Travelers

Occasional International (1-2 trips/year)

Stack Cost: ₹2,500-5,000/year

1. HDFC Regalia - Lounge access + booking multiplier
2. IDFC First Select Debit - Zero forex for spending abroad

Why: Regalia for lounges and Indian bookings, IDFC debit for actual international spending.

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Frequent International (4-6 trips/year)

Stack Cost: ₹8,000/year

1. HSBC TravelOne - Low forex + decent lounges
2. Axis Atlas - Miles accumulation

Why: Low forex saves ₹30-40k on ₹10L spend. Atlas miles fund future upgrades.

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Premium International (Monthly travel)

Stack Cost: ₹17,500/year

1. HDFC Infinia - Unlimited lounges + 2% forex
2. IDFC First Wealth Debit - Zero forex backup

Why: Infinia for rewards and lounges, IDFC for heavy forex spending.

Country-Specific Tips

USA

• Visa/MC essential (Amex acceptance ~50%)
• Tap-to-pay widely available
• Most cards work fine

Europe

• Strong PSD2 security = may need SMS OTP
• Enable international transactions before travel
• Amex acceptance varies by country

Southeast Asia

• Cash still preferred in many places
• ATM withdrawals common
• Most cards work at hotels/restaurants

Middle East (Dubai, UAE)

• Card acceptance excellent
• Amex works well
• Diners Club accepted at many places

Japan

• Cash-heavy society
• Many places still card-unfriendly
• Keep cash backup

Pre-Travel Checklist

1 Month Before

• Enable international transactions
• Check forex markup
• Note 24/7 helpline numbers
• Download Priority Pass app
• Check insurance coverage

1 Week Before

• Inform bank about travel dates
• Set higher transaction limits
• Screenshot emergency numbers
• Check lounge locations at airports

Day of Travel

• Carry 2 cards minimum (different networks)
• Keep some local currency for arrival
• Store helpline numbers offline

Common Mistakes

1. Only carrying Amex - Many countries have limited acceptance
2. Not informing bank - Cards get blocked for suspected fraud
3. Using INR billing option - DCC rates are always worse
4. Assuming card insurance covers everything - Read the fine print
5. Not carrying backup card - Card failures happen abroad

Next Steps

1. Calculate your typical international spend - Helps choose between forex-focused vs rewards-focused cards
2. Check which airports you transit - Lounge availability varies
3. Consider a zero-forex debit - Even if you have premium credit cards
4. Apply 4-6 weeks before travel - Card delivery + activation takes time
5. Save emergency numbers - Both card company and travel insurance

The best international travel card depends on your spend level and travel frequency. For most people, a good 2% forex card with lounges beats a "premium" card with 3.5% forex.