What is Forex Markup on Credit Cards (India Guide)
Forex markup (sometimes called international transaction or foreign exchange markup) is a separate extra charge your issuer may apply to spend in a currency other than Indian rupees, in addition to the exchange rate the network uses. It is usually published as a single percentage in your MITC and on our card pages when we can verify it. It is not a substitute for interest, annual fee, or other fees — it is one line in the full cost of using the card abroad.
What it is, in one line
DefinitionThink of a purchase abroad as: (1) the converted rupee value at the network rate, plus (2) the issuer's published forex markup on that international leg, as defined in the product. 0% markup means the issuer is not adding that extra layer on the stated basis; a 2–3.5% markup is a common way issuers express it in public tables — read your MITC and schedule of charges for your product, not a generic number from this page.
Forex vs a few other ideas (at a glance)
GlossaryNames vary by bank; the table is educational only.
| Idea | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| Network exchange / conversion | How the purchase currency becomes INR (or a quoted settlement amount) for that transaction — not the same as "forex markup" in your MITC. |
| Forex markup (this page) | An extra % on international spend as defined in the product — a separate line from the headline FX move. |
| Interest / APR on purchases | Charged when you revolve a balance, per billing rules — a different line from a one-time forex markup on a charge. |
| Annual / joining fee | A recurring or once-off product charge — not the per-transaction forex add-on. |
See published forex next to other fields
Comparing productsCompare puts two products side by side, including the forex field when we have it, alongside fee and other published line items. It is not a travel recommendation — a practical read of the numbers your issuer has chosen to show.
Real cards, grouped by published markup
Data viewFor a data-first view of the same field — only cards with verified numbers, split into low / mid / high bands for orientation — use the forex markup: cards by band page. It uses the same refinery as individual card pages, not an editorial "best of" list.
Examples (illustrations only)
ExamplesDifferent products show different published forex and fee lines. For example, issuers publish different structures on HDFC Infinia and HDFC Regalia than on entry cards — the links are examples only. Your MITC and live statement apply to you.