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Zero Forex on Every IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card

Key Takeaways

Every IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card now offers zero forex markup
Travel, shop, and spend globally without paying the bank's forex markup fee
Small savings on every foreign-currency transaction add up to significant savings
Pick your card to maximize rewards and cashback on international spends

22 Sep 2026 by Team FinFIRST

zero forex markup on idfc first bank credit card

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Your credit card statement post-vacation feels a little heavier than expected. One possible culprit is forex markup. Those charges build up quietly across trips and online purchases until they add up to a meaningful amount you never consciously spent. That is exactly what makes zero forex markup such a valuable benefit.

So, what exactly is forex markup, and how can you make the most of a zero-forex credit card? Let us break it down.

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What is forex markup?

Forex markup is a fee banks charge whenever you spend in a foreign currency.

When you make an international purchase, the card network converts the amount into your home currency. This applies when you travel abroad, book hotels on foreign websites, or pay for digital subscriptions billed in dollars. The issuing bank then adds a percentage-based markup fee on top of that converted amount.

Because this fee applies to every individual transaction rather than acting as a one-time charge, these small expenses quietly accumulate into a significant added cost over the course of a trip or a year.

How much does this actually save you?

Standard industry forex markups typically range between 2% and 3.5% of the total transaction value. For instance, spending ₹1 lakh in a foreign currency with a standard 3.5% markup adds an extra ₹3,500 to your final bill.

IDFC FIRST Bank eliminates this added expense by offering zero forex markup across its entire suite of credit cards. This benefit applies to all international transactions, from overseas travel, dining, and hotel stays to online shopping, international education fees, and global digital subscriptions.

Your total financial savings will depend entirely on your global spending volume.

The table below illustrates how much you can save at different spending levels when avoiding a standard 3.5% industry fee.

International Spend	Typical Forex Charges
₹50,000	₹1,750
₹1,00,000	₹3,500
₹2,00,000	₹7,000
₹5,00,000	₹17,500

Choose a zero forex card that matches your lifestyle

With every IDFC FIRST Bank credit card now offering zero forex markup, you no longer need to worry about international fees. Instead, you can simply choose the card that best matches your lifestyle, travel habits, or reward preferences.

Mayura

If international travel is a regular part of your life, Mayura is a premium metal card crafted for elevated travel experiences. From lounge access to golf privileges and travel protection, it is designed for customers who spend frequently and want more from every trip.

Zero forex markup

4 domestic and 4 international airport lounge visits per quarter, including 1 guest visit on domestic lounges

Trip cancellation cover of up to ₹50,000 per year

Air accident cover of ₹1 crore

Up to 2 golf rounds or lessons per month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous statement cycle

Buy One Get One movie tickets with up to ₹500 off on the second ticket via District by Zomato, twice a month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month.

Get up to 40X Reward Points on app bookings and turn them into big savings with a travel redemption value of up to ₹0.50 per point.

Ashva

Ashva offers many premium travel benefits for a metal card at a lower fee point. It is a strong option for regular travellers looking for lounge access, rewards, and travel protection.

Zero forex markup

4 domestic and 2 international airport lounge visits per quarter

Trip cancellation cover of up to ₹25,000 per year

Air accident cover of ₹1 crore

Up to 2 golf rounds or lessons per month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous statement cycle

Buy One Get One movie tickets with up to ₹400 off on the second ticket via District by Zomato, twice a month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month

Reward Points worth up to ₹0.40 per point when redeemed for travel through the IDFC FIRST Bank App

FIRST Wealth

FIRST Wealth is one of the strongest lifetime free cards in the portfolio, combining travel privileges, entertainment benefits, and protection covers without an annual fee.

Lifetime free credit card

Zero forex markup

1 domestic and 1 international airport lounge visit per quarter on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month

Earn up to 10X reward points on dining, travel & international spends and spends done on birthdays

Air accident cover of ₹1 crore

Trip cancellation cover of up to ₹10,000 per year

Up to 2 golf rounds or lessons per month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous statement cycle

Buy One Get One movie tickets with up to ₹250 off on the second ticket via District by Zomato, twice a month on spending ₹20,000 in the previous calendar month

FIRST WOW!

If you are new to credit, do not have an existing credit history, or prefer the security of an FD-backed card, FIRST WOW! makes international spending accessible while still offering rewards and travel-friendly benefits.

FD-backed credit card with a starting fixed deposit of just ₹20,000

No joining or annual fee

Zero forex markup

4X Reward Points on online, offline and international spends

Complimentary Roadside Assistance worth ₹1,399

1% fuel surcharge waiver up to ₹200 per month

Ideal for customers with limited or no credit history

Hello Cashback

For shoppers who love instant gratification, Hello Cashback is designed to offer cashback across online and everyday spending categories.

Zero forex markup

Up to 5% cashback on eligible online spends including international spends

1% cashback on eligible in-store and UPI spends

Cashback on essential spends such as utilities, insurance, and education payments

Online cashback capped at ₹1,000 per statement cycle, total cashback capped at ₹1,500 per cycle

Designed for customers who prefer cashback over reward points

Quantum+

Quantum+ Credit Card is the smart way to accelerate your financial growth. It seamlessly helps you build a powerful credit profile while rewarding your routine online and offline spending with automatic cashback.

Zero forex markup

FD-backed RuPay credit card

Up to 2% cashback on all online spends

1% cashback on UPI payments via the IDFC FIRST Bank Mobile App

1% cashback on all in-store spends

Lifetime free with zero joining and annual fee

A great option for first-time credit card users

How to get the maximum benefit from zero forex markup?

Having a zero-forex card is only part of it. How you pay matters too.

Always choose the local currency. Dollars in New York, yen in Tokyo, dirhams in Dubai. Your card handles the conversion with zero forex markup.

Watch out for Dynamic Currency Conversion. A shop, website, or ATM may offer to bill you in Indian Rupees instead. It looks convenient, but the merchant applies its own exchange rate and adds a DCC charge on top.

What zero forex markup does not cover

Zero forex markup does not mean every international transaction is entirely free of charges. A few costs can still apply:

Card network conversion rates

GST wherever applicable

Overseas ATM withdrawal charges

Cash advance fees

Interest on cash withdrawals

Dynamic Currency Conversion charges if you choose INR billing

Conclusion

The best part about zero forex markup is not what you are getting, it is what you are no longer paying for. And now that this feature comes standard across every IDFC FIRST Bank credit card, you do not have to compromise.

You can focus entirely on finding a card that matches your daily lifestyle, whether that means frequent travel, maximum cashback, or luxury benefits, while keeping your international rewards fully intact.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is forex markup on a credit card?

Forex markup is a fee that banks traditionally charge when you make a transaction in a foreign currency. It is added on top of the converted transaction amount.

Will I earn rewards or cashback on international spends made with my IDFC FIRST Bank Credit Card?

Yes, absolutely. You will earn rewards or cashback on all your international transactions. The exact earning rate will be based on the specific rewards or cashback structure of your credit card variant

Does zero forex markup mean there are no charges at all on international transactions?

No. Network conversion rates, GST where applicable, cash withdrawal fees, and Dynamic Currency Conversion charges may still apply depending on the transaction.

Do I get zero forex markup if I pay in Indian Rupees abroad?

Choosing INR abroad can trigger Dynamic Currency Conversion, where the merchant may apply its own exchange rate. To maximise the benefit of zero forex markup, choose the local currency instead.

Does zero forex markup apply to ATM withdrawals abroad?

It applies to the forex conversion component, but ATM withdrawal fees and cash advance charges may still be applicable.

Do I pay forex markup when booking flights and hotels in INR?

No. If the transaction is billed directly in Indian Rupees, there is no foreign-currency conversion involved, so forex markup does not apply.

Which IDFC FIRST Bank credit card is best for international travel?

For frequent international travellers, Mayura offers the strongest travel-focused benefits. For customers looking for a lifetime free option, FIRST Wealth is an excellent choice that still includes international lounge access.

Disclaimer

The contents of this article/infographic/picture/video are meant solely for information purposes. The contents are generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. The information is subject to updation, completion, revision, verification and amendment and the same may change materially. The information is not intended for distribution or use by any person in any jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to law or regulation or would subject IDFC FIRST Bank or its affiliates to any licensing or registration requirements. IDFC FIRST Bank shall not be responsible for any direct/indirect loss or liability incurred by the reader for taking any financial decisions based on the contents and information mentioned. Please consult your financial advisor before making any financial decision.

The features, benefits and offers mentioned in the article are applicable as on the day of publication of this blog and is subject to change without notice. The contents herein are also subject to other product specific terms and conditions and any third party terms and conditions, as applicable. Please refer our website www.idfcfirst.bank.in for latest updates.