For Indians traveling abroad, the Scapia Credit Card is often recommended because of its zero percent forex markup fee. Standard credit cards charge between 2.5% and 3.5% + GST on foreign currency transactions, making international swipes expensive. While Scapia wipes this fee completely, it enforces a lesser-known policy: you earn zero rewards on foreign currency transactions.
The Scapia credit card offers 0% markup abroad, but does not award rewards on foreign currency transactions.
When you spend money in a foreign currency (whether online on websites like AWS, Airbnb, or Netflix US, or offline at hotels, restaurants, or shops overseas), Scapia processes the transaction using Visa's wholesale exchange rate without adding any surcharge. However, you will not receive Scapia Coins for these transactions.
Let's look at the financial math of a ₹1,00,000 spend overseas using three different types of cards:
| Card Type | Forex Markup Fee + GST | Reward Return Rate | Net Savings/Cost on ₹1 Lakh |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Credit Card | 3.5% + GST (Total: ~₹4,130) | 1.5% net value (₹1,500) | 🔴 Net Cost: -₹2,630 |
| Scapia Credit Card | 0% (Total: ₹0) | 0% on foreign spends | 🟢 Net Cost: ₹0 (Saves ₹2,630) |
| Premium Forex/Travel Card | 2% + GST (Total: ~₹2,360) | 3% net value (₹3,000) | 🟢 Net Savings: +₹640 (Rare) |
How does Scapia's zero-rewards policy compare with other zero-forex options?
For the vast majority of international trips, Scapia's 0% forex markup is the simplest way to spend money abroad without losing 3.5% to bank fees. Do not worry about the lack of reward points; the direct savings on the markup fee far outweighs the nominal rewards you would earn on standard cards.
However, if you are looking to earn airline miles or points on international business travels where expenses are reimbursed, look into co-branded cards that charge standard markups but offer high travel multipliers (like Axis Atlas or SBI Aurum), or consider the ixigo AU card for 0% markup + minor reward points.
No. If the transaction currency is not INR (Indian Rupees), it is classified as a foreign currency transaction, and you will earn 0 Scapia Coins, even if the payment is made online from India.
While the forex markup is 0%, credit card cash withdrawals abroad incur high cash advance fees, transaction charges, and immediate interest accrual. Avoid withdrawing cash with credit cards abroad; use a debit-based card like Niyo Global instead.
No. Scapia uses the standard Visa exchange rate to convert foreign currencies to INR with zero additional markup fees.
Zero