Travelling abroad should be a stress-free journey and with the right choices, you can travel in comfort and style. To enjoy a luxurious travel experience, you should carry the best Forex cards with international lounge access. They offer other benefits like complimentary insurance coverage and hassle-free services at competitive prices. In this blog, we will explore the top Forex cards that offer airport lounge access, along with their features and benefits.
What are Forex Cards?
Forex Cards are prepaid travel cards. They can be loaded with international currencies that enable you to make foreign transactions without worrying about physical cash management. You can choose either a single-currency Forex card (loaded in one currency) or a multi-currency Forex card (loaded with multiple foreign currencies) based on your needs and usage.
- They offer locked-in exchange rates, protecting you from currency exchange fluctuations during travel.
- They can be easily reloaded when you run out of balance.
- They come with a chip and PIN technology, minimising the risk of theft or fraud compared to carrying cash.
- They can be used at millions of locations worldwide, including ATMs, shops, and restaurants.
- They come with complementary insurance against loss or theft, lounge access to airports in India and abroad, and 24/7 assistance globally.
Also Read: Want to plan your budget wisely against exchange rate fluctuations? Learn all about locking exchange rates with currency hedging for students.
Forex Cards with International Lounge Access
Choosing the best Forex cards with international lounge access provides a quieter and more comfortable environment compared to crowded airport terminals. Many Forex cards like SBI Card Elite, HDFC Regalia Forex card, ICICI Saphhiro Forex card, Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip card, etc., come with complimentary access to airport lounges. Choosing them can enhance your travel experience-
ICICI Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card
ICICI Sapphiro is another best Forex card with international lounge access. You get 2 complimentary visits to international lounges. To avail of the experience, you are required to verify using your mobile number on the DreamFolks app.
- You have to then enter your membership ID and PIN shared to your kit and then submit. You can now browse the services and enter the name of the airport.
- The international lounge access on ICICI Forex card is valid for a maximum of 1 year.
- For additional lounge access above 2 complimentary visits, you need to pay an extra charge of USD 27.
- Besides, you get a free international SIM card for travel abroad and Uber discount vouchers worth UNR 1,000.
Also Read: Check out this blog on ICICI student Forex card and explore the benefits that can be availed by international students when planning to study abroad.
SBI Elite Card
Holders of the SBI Elite Card can enjoy 6 complimentary visits to international airport lounges each year. This equates to a maximum of 2 visits per quarter outside India. You get access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide with their complimentary Priority Pass membership. This enhances the overall travel experience and lets you relax in comfortable environments during layovers.
- You are also eligible for 2 complimentary domestic airport lounge access every quarter in India.
- The card has a competitive foreign exchange markup fee of 1.99%, making it cost-effective for international transactions.
- Besides lounge access, the SBI Elite Card offers a welcome gift voucher worth INR 5,000, bonus reward points, and various travel and lifestyle rewards.
Here’s the list of lounges applicable for domestic airport lounges by using the SBI Elite Card.
| City | Lounge | Terminal |
| Ahmedabad | Plaza Premium | International |
| Banglore | TFS | Domestic and International |
| Chennai | TFS | Domestic, International, and International New |
| Goa | TFS | Domestic |
| Hyderabad | Plaza Premium | Domestic and International |
| Kolkata | Travel Club (TFS) | Domestic and International |
| Mumbai | TFS | Domestic T2 and Domestic T1C |
| Mumbai | Good Times | Domestic T1B |
| Mumbai | Clipper | International |
| New Delhi | Plaza Premium | Domestic T1D, Domestic T3, Domestic T2, International T3 (L-04), International T3 (L-03) |
| Pune | Bird Lounge | Domestic |
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip Card
Standard Chartered EaseMyTrip card is another card offering international lounge access at hundreds of lounges worldwide. You also get discounts on hotel bookings through EaseMyTrip and an annual fee waiver on spending.
- Cardholders can avail of 2 complimentary lounge visits per month when they spend over INR 20,000 in that month, which is beneficial for frequent travellers.
- The card features a competitive forex markup fee of 2% on overseas transactions, making it economical for international spending.
- Besides lounge access, the Standard Chartered Forex card includes rewards on travel expenditures, cashback on duty-free shopping, and discounts on flight tickets purchased through specific platforms.
HDFC Regalia Forex Card
HDFC Bank offers the HDFC Regalia Forex card, which can be loaded in US Dollars. It is specially designed for international travellers and students offering airport lounge access.
- You get 1 complimentary lounge access per quarter until the validity of the card at 9 select international airports in India.
- The HDFC Forex card allows you to enjoy a comfortable waiting area before your flight, enhancing your travel experience.
Here’s the list of select lounges in India to avail HDFC Forex card international lounge access-
| Airport Name | City | Outlet Name & Terminal |
| Calicut Airport | Calicut | Bird Lounge at T1 |
| Chennai International Airpot | Chennai | Travel Club Lounge at T2 departure |
| Cochin International Airport | Chochin | Earth Lounge at T3 departure |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad | Encalm Lounge at T1 departure |
| Kannur International Airport | Kannur | Pearl Lounge at T1 departure |
| Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata | Travel Club Lounge at T2 departure |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport | Mumbai | Loyalty Louge at T2 |
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | New Delhi | Encalm Lounge at T3 departure |
| Trivandrum International Airport | Thiruvananthapuram | The Lounge at Main Terminal |
Other benefits of the HDFC Regalia Forex card include zero markup charges on cross-currency conversion, insurance coverage up to INR 5 lakhs, a contactless tap and pay facility, and multiple reloading options.
Also Read: Read all about Zero Forex Markup Credit cards and explore the best credit cards for a budget-friendly trip abroad.
HDFC Multi-currency Platinum Forex Card
HDFC Multi-currency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card offers exciting complimentary lounge access at international airports in India. All those who avail of this card can access the lounge until the card’s validity.
- The HDFC Platinum Forex Card offers 2 complimentary lounge visits per quarter.
- The card can be loaded in multiple currencies and offers competitive forex markup fees, and travel insurance benefits.
- To avail of the benefits, you need to authorize the Forex card on the electronic terminals at a lounge.
- The card be issued by paying a fee of INR 500 + GST per card.
- One of the best offers on this card is that students get a complimentary ISIC card, which is a globally recognized student ID card. This card offers exclusive discounts in 1,50,000 outlets internationally, making it one of the best Forex cards for students studying abroad.
MakeMyTrip HDFC Bank ForexPlus Card
The last one on the list of best Forex cards with international lounge access is the MakeMyTrip Cash Card in partnership with HDFC Bank. This card offers a wide range of benefits apart from complimentary lounge access at international airports.
- With MMTBLACK Membership, you can earn up to INR 25,000 My Cash on your travel spends.
- You get discounts on flights, hotels, and holiday packages.
- You can reload the card in 22 different currencies and protect yourself from foreign exchange rate fluctuations.
- The card can be availed at no cost when booking your international trips with MakeMyTrip.
Niyo Global Forex Card
The Niyo Global Forex card offers zero forex markup on transactions. It can be used in 150+ countries and 130+ currencies. It is one of the best Forex cards with international lounge access at select international terminals.
- On spending INR 50,000 using a Single Niyo card outside India, you can avail of one complimentary lounge access per quarter at international airports.
- You cannot use the card for airports within India.
- The lounge pass is valid for 30 days from the date of generation.
- You can enjoy complimentary meals, comfortable seating, high-speed wi-fi, and a lot more.
Also Read: Check out this detailed guide on how to use Forex Cards and what are the steps to follow to get one.
BookMyForex Zero Markup Forex Card
Another best Forex card with international lounge access is the BookMyForex card. The card offers complimentary lounge visits per quarter at international airports in India. It can be used until the card’s expiry.
- It offers zero forex markup on interbank rates.
- There are no issuance or reloading fees.
- The card can be loaded in up to 14 foreign currencies and be managed via BookMyForex app for easy expense management.
This was all about the best Forex cards with international lounge access. Make sure to use them, because whether you’re a frequent traveller or a student studying abroad, having access to international airport lounges can elevate your travel experience.
FAQs
Several Forex cards provide international lounge access, including the HDFC Regalia Forexplus Card, ICICI Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card, and SBI Card Elite.
The SBI Card Elite is often considered the best for international lounge access, offering 6 complimentary visits to lounges worldwide annually.
Yes, the ICICI Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card offers 2 complimentary lounge visits per year at selected international airports.
No. Axis Bank does not offer lounge access with its multi-currency Forex card. If you are seeking lounge access, you can explore SBI Card Elite, Niyo Global Card, or ICICI Sapphiro Card.
You can get international airport lounge access with the IndusInd Bank Ttger Credit Card. The multi-currency Forex card offered by IndusInd Bank does not provide access to airport lounges.
To know more about forex, education loans, the best bank accounts for students banking experience for global students or international money transfers, reach out to our experts at 1800572126 to help ease your study abroad experience.
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