Beat Forex Fees: Best Credit Cards that offset mark-up fee with Rewards

[SonyTom]

Can't use a credit card for cash withdrawals. Guess it attracts lot of interest

Thats why he wrote “interest free”

 

[sourpai]

Can't use a credit card for cash withdrawals. Guess it attracts lot of interest

If you are only guessing then doing some more research on your part might help

"Interest free" cash withdrawals is a feature of all IDFC credit cards. Zero forex specifically applies for IDFC WoW and Mayura

 

[NikhilG]

If you are only guessing then doing some more research on your part might help

"Interest free" cash withdrawals is a feature of all IDFC credit cards. Zero forex specifically applies for IDFC WoW and Mayura

Okay I missed the interest free part. The first thing I was told 15 years was to never use it in atm. With interest it also attracts other thing. Right now I have idfc first select credit card. Which one of idfc wow or maurya is easily ltf?

 

[Anindya98]

you cannot rely on single card...I read all the threads on this forum and common consensus is to opt for following 2 cards..I took these 2 cards on my recent foreign trips and did not face any issue.
1. Indusind exclusive DC (Primary)
2. Niyo DCB (Backup)

How was your Niyo DCB experience & charges for withdrawals?

Can't use a credit card for cash withdrawals. Guess it attracts lot of interest

IDFC All CC cash withdrawals have an interest-free period. Only one time withdrawal fee is charged.
As mentioned by @sourpai get IDFC Wow or Mayura for 0 Forex

 

[Anindya98]

Okay I missed the interest free part. The first thing I was told 15 years was to never use it in atm. With interest it also attracts other thing. Right now I have idfc first select credit card. Which one of idfc wow or maurya is easily ltf?

Pls kindly DYOR, these are all silly questions. IDFC WOW is LTF since the launch, and Mayura will be paid unless you have 1- 2Cr in IDFC.

I don't see the point of chasing LTF cards once you've reached a certain stage in your credit card journey. Paid cards typically offer far better rewards and benefits compared to entry-level LTF cards. It's important to value your spending—saving a small amount on the annual fee doesn't necessarily give you better value. Just compare the returns from a paid card versus an LTF card when spending the same amount in the same category. The obsession with LTF cards is puzzling to me, unless you're just starting out or holding a specific card for instant discount offers from certain banks.

 

[NikhilG]

N

Pls kindly DYOR, these are all silly questions. IDFC WOW is LTF since the launch, and Mayura will be paid unless you have 1- 2Cr in IDFC.

I don't see the point of chasing LTF cards once you've reached a certain stage in your credit card journey. Paid cards typically offer far better rewards and benefits compared to entry-level LTF cards. It's important to value your spending—saving a small amount on the annual fee doesn't necessarily give you better value. Just compare the returns from a paid card versus an LTF card when spending the same amount in the same category. The obsession with LTF cards is puzzling to me, unless you're just starting out or holding a specific card for instant discount offers from certain banks.

IMHO no question is silly and it's not expected everyone to know everything. I have seen your posts and treat you quite knowledgeable around this area but expect you to be humble as well in your responses.

 

[helloworld]

If you are only guessing then doing some more research on your part might help

"Interest free" cash withdrawals is a feature of all IDFC credit cards. Zero forex specifically applies for IDFC WoW and Mayura

Thats why he wrote “interest free”

FYI, its 236rs for every 10000 withdrawl in IDFC. Its "interest free" true but also it costs 2.36% and I belive that is same for even wallet load with any credit card not only specific to IDFC.

So, its not really a standout feature in IDFC, IMo.

 

[sourpai]

FYI, its 236rs for every 10000 withdrawl in IDFC. Its "interest free" true but also it costs 2.36% and I belive that is same for even wallet load with any credit card not only specific to IDFC.

So, its not really a standout feature in IDFC, IMo.

Why 10,000? I have personally withdrawn 30k in one go. There is no such limit.

If You can withdraw more than 23.6k equivalent INR at the beginning of trip then charges are 1% or less which can be easily recovered via cc billpay cashback.

 

[sunit123]

How was your Niyo DCB experience & charges for withdrawals?

Out of 11 times, I used it as backup only twice when Indusind Exclusive DC was not accepted by ATM machine and it worked...Charges were around 500 Rs and Niyo credited the same as Niyo coins in my wallet (It is useless for me)

As i mentioned, it is only a backup card in case indusind Exclusive DC does not work...

 

[helloworld]

Why 10,000? I have personally withdrawn 30k in one go. There is no such limit.

If You can withdraw more than 23.6k equivalent INR at the beginning of trip then charges are 1% or less which can be easily recovered via cc billpay cashback.

I have personally charged for every 10k there is 236rs charges during statement.. they shared pdf too at that time the after that stopped using that card then slowly it got closed.

If ur statement generated then well and good, meanwhile will check that pdf and share with you..

afair, its per transaction 236rs. and per transaction limit 10k.

 

[NikhilG]

I have personally charged for every 10k there is 236rs charges during statement.. they shared pdf too at that time the after that stopped using that card then slowly it got closed.

If ur statement generated then well and good, meanwhile will check that pdf and share with you..

afair, its per transaction 236rs. and per transaction limit 10k.

Okay, in addition to that how much atm fees overseas?

 

[sourpai]

I have personally charged for every 10k there is 236rs charges during statement.. they shared pdf too at that time the after that stopped using that card then slowly it got closed.

If ur statement generated then well and good, meanwhile will check that pdf and share with you..

I know that PDF mentions it, but it does not mean anything. I have used this card 3-4 times for higher withdrawals >25k in many different countries and have been charged 236 per withdrawal only irrespective of amount

In fact I keep this card more for cash withdrawal than for zero forex PoS spends. I don't have Indusind account and no plans for opening any

 

[NikhilG]

I know that PDF mentions it, but it does not mean anything. I have used this card 3-4 times for higher withdrawals >25k in many different countries and have been charged 236 per withdrawal only irrespective of amount

In fact I keep this card more for cash withdrawal than for zero forex PoS spends. I don't have Indusind account and no plans for opening any

Which idfc cc you hold?

 

[helloworld]

Okay, in addition to that how much atm fees overseas?

atm fee depends on atm (not bank charges), some atms allow for free but majorly some known places charges.

along with that

markup fees (if any)

 

[sunit123]

Okay, in addition to that how much atm fees overseas?

There are 5 types of fees
1. Your Bank's ATM fees
2. ATM fees of bank from whose ATM you are withdrawing the money
3. Mark up fees charged by your bank (From 1% to 3.5%...It is zero for zero forex markup cards)
4. Currency conversion charges (If you do not convert the forex to local currency at the time of withdrawal then it is not charged otherwise it is 5%)
5. Forex conversion charges (Charges pegged/linked/fixed by your bank against forex...If it is linked to live VISA/Mastercard forex rate then it is negligible)

Now, you can check yourself, which card suits you the most

* Fees no # 2 is must and you cannot avoid the same

For indusind exclusive DC, fees no 1, 3, 4 & 5 are NIL...You only need to pay fees #2

For Niyo DCB, 3, 4 & 5 are NIL. You need to pay 500+ for #1 and #2 is must

 

[NikhilG]

There are 5 types of fees
1. Your Bank's ATM fees
2. ATM fees of bank from whose ATM you are withdrawing the money
3. Mark up fees charged by your bank (From 1% to 3.5%...It is zero for zero forex markup cards)
4. Currency conversion charges (If you do not convert the forex to local currency at the time of withdrawal then it is not charged otherwise it is 5%)
5. Forex conversion charges (Charges pegged/linked/fixed by your bank against forex...If it is linked to live VISA/Mastercard forex rate then it is negligible)

Now, you can check yourself, which card suits you the most

* Fees no # 2 is must and you cannot avoid the same

For indusind exclusive DC, fees no 1, 3, 4 & 5 are NIL...You only need to pay fees #2

For Niyo DCB, 3, 4 & 5 are NIL. You need to pay 500+ for #1 and #2 is must

Oh I used to think that 3 and 4 is the same thing. IMHO Indusind exclusive DC is the best for my use case but their amb is quite a lot I guess.

 

[sunit123]

Oh I used to think that 3 and 4 is the same thing. IMHO Indusind exclusive DC is the best for my use case but their amb is quite a lot I guess.

with pinnacle credit card, your get zero balance Indusind exclusive account and no annual charges on DC.

 

[Anindya98]

IMHO no question is silly and it's not expected everyone to know everything. I have seen your posts and treat you quite knowledgeable around this area but expect you to be humble as well in your responses.

I agree that no question is inherently silly—everyone starts somewhere, and it's perfectly fine to ask. That said, I do believe that asking very basic questions, especially when the answers are clearly mentioned on the bank’s official website, product pages, or even within forum threads.

For example, the IndusInd Tiger card clearly states that international lounge access is only for the primary holder. I’ll admit, I hadn’t noticed that detail myself until you tagged me. That’s exactly why DYOR is so important. What works for me may not work for someone else—credit card benefits vary based on individual usage patterns.

In some cases, spoon-feeding information without encouraging self-research can backfire. People may later regret not doing their homework if the product doesn’t suit their needs. So, my intention isn’t to judge or criticize, but to suggest building a habit of checking details firsthand. A little effort upfront can help avoid mistakes down the line. Hope this is taken in the right spirit.

 

[Anindya98]

with pinnacle credit card, your get zero balance Indusind exclusive account and no annual charges on DC.

Is it possible to get with Legend credit card? I was thinking of taking Pinnacle. Legend Limit: 4.62L

 

[sunit123]

Is it possible to get with Legend credit card? I was thinking of taking Pinnacle. Legend Limit: 4.62L

I also upgraded to pinnacle but my existing card was closed...I think IIB only allow SINGLE card at a time.