International travel · one decision loop

Four travel-card strategies for spending abroad

Compare zero-forex cards with 2%-forex alternatives that may offer stronger rewards or airport benefits.

Zero forex versus broader travel value

ZERO FOREX · NO INTERNATIONAL REWARDS

Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card

Forex cost: ₹0 ₹6,000 lower than a 2% card in this example

Rewards abroad
None
Airport access
Conditional India lounge; international lounge access not established
Annual cost
₹0 standard annual fee
Main catch
No international rewards
Sources & terms View full card evidence Reward paths verified 2026-07-29

ZERO FOREX · PUBLISHED LOUNGE LIMITS

ixigo AU Credit Card

Forex cost: ₹0 ₹6,000 lower than a 2% card in this example

Rewards abroad
Earns points; dependable rupee value unresolved
Airport access
Published India and international lounge allowances
Annual cost
Promotional ₹0 annual fee
Main catch
Fee eligibility and point value are uncertain
Sources & terms View full card evidence Reward paths verified 2026-07-29

2% FOREX · MULTIPLE REDEMPTION ROUTES

HDFC Regalia Gold Credit Card

Forex cost: ₹6,000 Rewards and airport benefits may offset part of this cost

Rewards abroad
Multiple issuer-published redemption routes; value depends on eligible spend and the selected route
Airport access
India lounge access depends on previous-quarter qualifying spend
Annual cost
₹2,500 annual fee. At ₹12,00,000 total annual spend, the published waiver threshold is crossed, subject to eligible-spend rules
Main catch
2% forex and reward value depends on redemption context
Sources & terms View full card evidence Reward paths verified 2026-07-29

2% FOREX · UNLIMITED DOMESTIC LOUNGE

HDFC Infinia Credit Card

Forex cost: ₹6,000 Rewards and airport benefits may offset part of this cost

Rewards abroad
Earns points; value depends on the selected redemption route
Airport access
Unlimited India lounge access
Annual cost
₹12,500 annual fee. At ₹12,00,000 total annual spend, the published waiver threshold is crossed, subject to eligible-spend rules
Main catch
2% forex, a high annual fee and path-dependent reward value
Sources & terms View full card evidence Reward paths verified 2026-07-29

Scapia or ixigo AU?

The closest decision

What they share Both publish 0% forex. Scapia has a standard ₹0 annual fee; ixigo currently publishes a ₹0 promotional fee whose applicability may vary.

Scapia

No rewards on international transactions. Domestic lounge access requires ₹20,000 spend in the previous month.

Pure forex savings

ixigo AU

Reward earning continues, with fixed domestic and international lounge allowances.

Forex savings with limited lounge utility
Compare full ixigo AU terms →
Sources, method and limitations
  • This is a fixed four-card comparison, not a personalised ranking.
  • Regalia Gold and Infinia charge 2% forex in this comparison.
  • Missing guest or supplementary lounge truth is not treated as exclusion.
  • Saving a card records interest, not a final preference.