Best Credit Cards for International Use in 2023

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

Joining Fee: Rs. 4,999

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

Key Features:

• 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: SBI Elite Credit Card Review | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international use?

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.

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 provided by this credit card are as follows:

Joining Fee: Nil

Annual Fee: Nil

Key Features:

• 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 use?

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.

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 credit card:

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500

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

Key Features:

• Low foreign exchange markup fee of 2%
• 12 complimentary visits per year to 1,000+ airport lounges across the world
• 2 complimentary golf access across the finest golf courses in 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

Suggested read: HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card Review | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international use?

HDFC Diners Club Privilege Credit Card comes with a low forex markup fee along with other benefits, such as complimentary memberships, complimentary lounge access and more. However, this credit card does not offer any additional benefits like extra rewards on your international transactions. If your goal is to earn basic international travel benefits along with a low forex markup fee, then this credit card is the right option for you.

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:

Joining Fee: Rs. 3,000

Annual Fee: Rs. 3,000

Key Features:

• 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: RBL World Safari Credit Card Review | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international use?

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.

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:

Joining Fee: Rs. 2,500

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

Key Features:

• 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: HDFC InterMiles Credit Cards Review | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international use?

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.

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:

Joining Fee: Rs. 350

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

Key Features:

• 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: Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Credit Card Review | Check Eligibility for Similar Cards

Why is this suitable for international use?

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.

Most of the credit cards allow you to have international transactions. However, some credit cards offer benefits on international transactions and let you save more on your expenses. While choosing the best international credit card, you must consider the following things:

• The card must be accepted at various foreign outlets, both online and offline
• You should consider a credit card that offers zero or low forex markup fee as compared to regular credit cards
• You should choose a card that offers better rewards or benefits on your international transactions
• If you frequently travel abroad, then you should choose a credit card that offers discount on hotel and flight bookings
• You should look for a credit card that offers international lounge access across various countries

Apart from the above-mentioned cards, there are a few other super premium credit cards that are suitable for international use as they come with a low forex markup fee. Besides this, these cards also offer other benefits on international transactions, such as additional rewards, lounge access, complimentary memberships and more. Here is the list of such international credit cards:

Suggested: Check 10 Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards in India 2023