Best Credit Cards for International Travel in 2023

All credit cards can be used internationally as per the prescribed credit limit and terms & conditions. But what should be considered here is the fact that the fees & charges for international usage vary across all cards. Therefore, it is important to have a credit card that offers low foreign currency markup fee, low cash advance charges across international ATMs along with other benefits, such as access to international lounge visits, discounted flight tickets, and better rewards on transactions outside India. Here we have listed some of the best credit cards for international use that will make your travel hassle-free:

Best Credit Cards for International Travel in December 2023

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1. SBI Elite Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 4,999 | Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999 (Reversed on spending Rs. 10 lakh in a year)

SBI Elite Credit Card is a premium credit card that offer benefits across multiple categories, such as travel, movies, dining, international transactions, and more. This is one of the best international travel credit cards in India. Given below are some of the major features and benefits of this credit card:

Features and Benefits of SBI Elite Credit Card:

• Low foreign currency markup fee of 1.99%
• 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge visits every quarter in India
• Complimentary membership to the Priority Pass Program worth $99
• 6 complimentary international airport lounge visits per calendar year (Max. 2 per quarter)
• Complimentary Club Vistara, Trident Privilege and Trident Red Tier memberships

Suggested read: Best Super Premium Credit Cards | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

SBI Elite Credit Card is a suitable option if you frequently travel abroad. One of the major reasons for this is that it comes with a low forex markup fee, which allows you to save more on your transactions outside the country. Besides this, SBI Elite lets you earn better reward points on your international transactions. Apart from general benefits, this credit card also offers international lounge access which is an added advantage if you frequently travel abroad. The complimentary memberships of Club Vistara, Trident Privilege and Trident Red Tier, also allow you to enhance your savings on travel bookings.

2. IDFC First Wealth Credit Card

Joining Fee: Nil | Annual Fee: Nil

IDFC First Wealth Credit Card is a lifetime free credit card that offers rewards, travel & lifestyle benefits along with a low foreign currency transaction fee. This credit card is a suitable option if you want to avail travel-related benefits across the globe. Some of the key benefits of this one of the best credit card for international travel are as follows:

Features and Benefits of IDFC First Wealth Credit Card:

• Low forex markup fee of 1.5%
• Comprehensive travel insurance and air accident cover
• 4 complimentary domestic & international airport lounges, spa visits per quarter
• Interest-free cash withdrawal anywhere in the world*
• Discounts on airport fast track immigration service at over 450 destinations worldwide

*Cash advance fee of only Rs. 250 per transaction.

Suggested read: Best Credit Cards for Travel |  Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

IDFC First Wealth Credit Card is a good match if you love to travel abroad. This credit card offers various premium benefits, such as low forex markup fee, complimentary international lounge access, exclusive airport services, interest-free cash withdrawal and travel insurance. Usually, such benefits are provided by high annual fee credit cards, whereas, IDFC First Wealth Credit Card offers these benefits without any annual fee. Hence, choosing this credit card for international use can be a sensible decision.

3. HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500 |Annual Fee: Rs. 2,500 (Waived off on spending Rs. 3 lakh in the previous year)

HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card is a premium credit card that offers numerous benefits on travel and lifestyle categories. The card comes with complimentary membership of brands like Amazon Prime, Times Prime, Dineout and more. Below mentioned are the details related to this best international travel credit card:

Features and Benefits of HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card:

• Low foreign exchange markup fee of 2%
• 12 complimentary visits per year to 1,000+ airport lounges across the world
• Complimentary annual memberships of Dineout Passport, Amazon Prime, MMT BLACK, and Times Prime on spending Rs. 75,000 within the first 90 days
• Up to 10X rewards on booking flight tickets or stays across 150+ hotels via Smartbuy

Suggested read: Best Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

4. RBL World Safari Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000 | Annual Fee: Rs. 3,000

RBL World Safari Credit Card is majorly a travel credit card that is suitable if you frequently travel abroad. It is one of the best credit cards for international use as it comes with a 0% forex markup fee. Some of the other details related to this credit card are as follows:

Features and Benefits of RBL World Safari Credit Card:

• 0% forex markup fee on foreign currency transactions
• 5 Travel Points for every Rs. 100 spent on travel expenditure
• 2 Travel Points on every Rs. 100 spent on all other transactions
• 2 complimentary lounge visits every quarter at major domestic airports in India
• 2 complimentary international lounge visits via Priority Pass Membership

Suggested read: Best Credit Cards for Reward Points | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

One of the major reasons that make RBL World Safari Credit Card suitable for international transactions is the 0% forex markup fee. Most of the premium cards offer a low forex markup fee but this card charges a 0% forex markup fee for foreign currency transactions. This credit card also offers complimentary international lounge access which is a good feature to have if you frequently travel abroad. However, most of the benefits offered on this credit card are related to international travel. This credit card is a suitable option if you frequently travel and want to save on your international transactions.

5. AU Bank Zenith+ Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 4,999 | Annual Fee: Rs. 4,999 (Waived off on spending Rs. 8 Lakh in a year)

AU Zenith+ Credit Card is another variant of Zenith Credit Card that offers premium benefits like luxury brand vouchers, exclusive hotel membership, higher rewards, low forex markup fee and much more. Here are some of the key benefits of this credit card:

Features and Benefits of AU Zenith+ Credit Card:

• Low forex markup fee of 0.99%
• 2 reward points for every Rs. 100 spent on travel, dining, and international spends
• 1 reward point per Rs. 100 on retail spends across all merchant categories
• 16 complimentary international airport lounge access every year using Priority Pass
• 16 complimentary domestic airport lounge access every year
• End-to-end airport VIP check-in with 4 complimentary services per year
• Complimentary Taj Epicure membership on minimum net retail spends of Rs. 12 Lakh in a year

Suggested read: AU Bank Zenith Credit Card | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

AU Zenith+ Credit Card is designed for frequent travellers and heavy spenders. One of the major benefits that make this card suitable for international use is the comparatively low forex markup fee of 0.99%, which is usually offered with super premium cards. Besides this, the card also offers 16 complimentary domestic as well as international lounge access per year with Priority Pass. In addition to the travel benefits, complimentary Taj Epicure Membership worth Rs. 25,000 is a great addition as a milestone benefit for Taj loyalists. Overall, this is a decent credit card for international travel due to its benefits like higher rewards on international spends, low forex markup, lounge access and other travel benefits.

6. InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500 | Annual Fee: Rs. 2,500 (Waived off on spending Rs. 3 lakh in a year)

InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card gives you a good value back on your travel expenses in the form of InterMiles. It is one of the best credit cards for international travel. You can earn InterMiles on every transaction and later redeem them on future bookings. Some of the other details related to this international credit card in India are mentioned below:

Features and Benefits of InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card:

• Complimentary InterMiles Silver Membership and 8,000 InterMiles at the time of joining
• Complimentary Priority Pass Membership with 5 free visits every year to international lounges
• 16 free domestic lounge visits under Visa Lounge Access Program per year (4 per quarter)
• 12 InterMiles per Rs. 150 spent on flight and hotel bookings via InterMiles website
• 6 InterMiles per Rs. 150 on all spends

Suggested read: Best Co-branded Credit Cards in India | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

InterMiles HDFC Bank Signature Credit Card is majorly suitable for international travel. With this card, you can earn better rewards and save more on your travel bookings. Besides this, you can also avail international lounge access with complimentary Priority Pass Membership. However, this credit card does not have much to offer for international transactions as it comes with a general forex markup fee, like other credit cards. Overall, this is a good option if you are looking for a credit card that lets you save on your international travel.

7. Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card

Joining Fee: Rs. 350 | Annual Fee: Rs. 350 (Waived off on spending Rs. 50,000 in the preceding year)

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card is a co-branded credit card that offers benefits on your bookings via EaseMyTrip. However, apart from the collaborated brand, you can also earn benefits on other transactions. This credit card rewards you with an instant discount for your travel bookings. Details regarding the same are mentioned below:

Features and Benefits of Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card:

• 1 complimentary domestic lounge visit per quarter
• 2 complimentary international lounge visits per year through Priority Pass
• 20% instant discount on domestic and international hotel bookings through EaseMyTrip*
• 10% instant discount on domestic and international flight bookings through EaseMyTrip*

*Terms and conditions are applicable.

Suggested read: Best Cashback Credit Cards in India | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international travel?

Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card is a great option if you frequently travel and make bookings via EaseMyTrip. This credit card offers maximum benefits on your transactions at EaseMyTrip. One of the good things about this credit card is that it offers an instant discount, whereas most of the credit cards offer rewards with the brand they have collaborated. Also, there are no restrictions on minimum spending to avail discount on hotel or flight bookings. This credit card is the right match if you want to earn benefits on your travel bookings and don’t want the hassle of earning and redeeming reward points.