In the previous article on forex cards, we have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of forex cards.
Here we will focus on four popular forex cards from HDFC Bank and Thomas Cook. Two are multicurrency cards and two are single currency cards. Let’s dive in.
HDFC Forex cards:
Multicurrency ForexPlus Card:
Multicurrency ForexPlus Card, a HDFC Forex card is one of the best forex cards in India. Whether you are a frequent flier or a first-time traveller, this HDFC forex card will make your foreign travel smooth and hassle-free. You can carry nearly 22 currencies which will help you as you travel through the various countries. It is available in Australian Dollar, AED (Dirhams), Canadian Dollar, Euro, Hongkong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Singapore Dollar, Sterling Pound, Swiss Franc, Swedish Krona, Thailand Baht, South African Rand, Oman Riyal, New Zealand Dollar, Danish Krone, Norwegian Krone, Saudi Riyal, Korean Won, Bahrain Dinar, Qatari Riyal, Kuwait Dinar and US Dollar currencies.
This HDFC forex card gives you complimentary insurance coverage, 24×7 concierge services and prepaid NetBanking.
One of the noteworthy features of the forex card is the Paywave NFC technology through which you can make contactless payments. All you need to do is just tap or wave and pay. No need to swipe at various counters. The card also takes of the security of the user and it comes with an embedded chip and PIN-based transactions.
Rates and charges:
Issuance
Fee : INR 500/- plus applicable GST
Reload Fee : INR 75/- plus applicable GST
Re-issuance of Card Fee : INR 100/- plus applicable GST
Transaction Charges : As mentioned below
| Sr No | Currency | ATM Cash Withdrawal Fee | Balance Enquiry Fee | Daily Limit for ATM Cash Withdrawal |
| 1 | US Dollar (USD) | USD 2.00 | USD 0.50 | USD 5000 |
| 2 | Euro (EUR) | EUR 1.50 | EUR 0.50 | EUR 4700 |
| 3 |
Swiss Franc (CHF ) | CHF 2.50 | CHF 0.60 | CHF 5000 |
| 4 | British Pound (GBP) | GBP 1.00 | GBP 0.50 | GBP 4000 |
| 5 | Canadian Dollar (CAD) | CAD 2.00 | CAD 0.50 | CAD 6600 |
| 6 | Australian Dollar (AUD ) | AUD 2.00 | AUD 0.50 | AUD 6800 |
| 7 | Japanese Yen (JPY) | JPY 250.00 | JPY 60.00 | JPY 580000 |
| 8 | Singapore Dollar (SGD) | SGD 2.70 | SGD 0.75 | SGD 7000 |
| 9 | UAE Dhiram (AED) | AED 7.00 | AED 2.00 | AED 18000 |
| 10 | Swedish Krona (SEK) | SEK 15.00 | SEK 3.50 | SEK 45000 |
| 11 | Hong Kong Dollar (HKD) | HKD 16.00 | HKD 4.00 | HKD 38000 |
| 12 | Thailand Baht (THB) | THB 63.00 | THB 16.00 | THB 178000 |
| 13 | South African Rand (ZAR) | ZAR 22.00 | ZAR 5.50 | ZAR 67000 |
| 14 | New Zealand Dollar (NZD) | NZD 2.50 | NZD 0.60 | NZD 7100 |
| 15 | Omani Riyal (OMR) | OMR 0.70 | OMR 0.25 | OMR 1900 |
| 16 | Danish Krone (DKK) | DKK 11.00 | DKK 2.75 | DKK 35000 |
| 17 | Norwegian Krone (NOK) | NOK 12.50 | NOK 3.25 | NOK 42000 |
| 18 | Saudi Riyal (SAR) | SAR 7.50 | SAR 2.00 | SAR 18600 |
| 19 | Korean Won (KRW) | KRW 2400 | KRW 600 | KRW 5800000 |
| 20 | Bahrain Dinar (BHD) | BHD 0.75 | BHD 0.20 | BHD 1800 |
| 21 | Qatari Riyal (QAR) | QAR 7.50 | QAR 1.80 | QAR 18000 |
| 22 | Kuwait Dinar (KWD) | KWD 0.60 | KWD 0.15 | KWD 1500 |
*GST
applicable on all charges
Cross currency charges
For transactions where the transaction currency is different than the currency
available on Multicurrency ForexPlus card bank will charge cross currency
markup of 2% on such transactions.
Exchange rate used will be the VISA/MasterCard wholesale exchange rate
prevailing at the time of the transaction.
For cross currency transactions involving wallet to wallet transfers within
currencies available on Multicurrency ForexPlus card customer will be charged
with 2% cross currency charges.
Exchange rate used will be the Mid rate prevailing at the time of the
transaction.
GST will be applicable on Currency Conversion & other fees as per
prevailing rate
| Buy and Sell Forex Currency | GST Currency Conversion Rates |
| Up to INR 1,00,000/- | 0.18% of the gross value or INR 45/- whichever is higher |
| INR 1,00,001/- to INR 10,00,000/- | INR 180 plus 0.09% of the amount exceeding INR 1,00,000/- |
| INR10,00,001/- and above | INR 990 plus 0.018% of the amount exceeding INR 10,00,000/-, subject to a maximum of INR 10800/- |
Regalia ForexPlus Card:
The Regalia ForexPlus Card is another good HDFC forex card. In a single currency card available for USD. However, you don’t have to worry about Cross Currency Conversion Charges.
With the help of this HDFC forex card, you can pay seamlessly with zero cross-currency charges. This card also provides insurance cover of up to Rs 5 lakhs against card misuse, counterfeiting and skimming and personal accident insurance in case of death is Rs25 lakhs. It also has the benefit of contactless payments and free lounge access etc. You can also block the card temporarily when you are not travelling. Easily track and monitor your international spends through transaction alerts on email and SMS. You can reload the card from anywhere with the help of the Prepaid NetBanking. Also, in the case of loss of card or emergency, you can avail emergency cash delivery assistance.
The Regalia ForexPlus Card holders get a free service of connecting to the Boingo Wi-Fi program.
You can get connected to more than a million Wi-Fi hotspots across the world.
Get Connected at More Than 1 Million Wi-Fi Hotspots Around the World. A complimentary free service offered to HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus cardholders who can stay connected with the people and things that matter most while traveling around the world with Boingo Wi-Fi program.
Rates and fees:
Card issue
Rs. 1000 per card
Reload
Rs. 75 per reload
Reissue
Rs 100 per card
Transaction charges
| Sr No | Currency | ATM Cash Withdrawal | Balance Enquiry | Daily Limit for ATM Cash Withdrawal |
| 1 | US Dollar (USD) | USD 4.00 | USD 0.50 | USD 5000 |
*GST as
applicable
Currency conversion tax
(For load, reload and refund transactions)
| Buy and sell forex currency | Service tax amount |
| Up to Rs 1 lakh | 0.18% of the gross value or Rs45—whichever is higher |
| Rs 1 lakh – Rs 10 lakhs | Rs 180 + 0.09% of the amount exceeding Rs. 1 lakh |
| > Rs. 10 lakhs | Rs. 990 + 0.018% of the amount exceeding Rs. 10 lakhs—subject to a maximum of Rs10800 |
Thomas Cook forex cards:
Borderless Prepaid Card: It is a multicurrency forex card from Thomas Cook where you can load up to nine currencies. The nine currencies are Swiss Francs, US Dollars, Australian Dollars, British Pounds, Euro, Canadian Dollars, Singapore Dollars, Japanese Yen and Arab Emirates Dirham. You can access 35.2 million merchants and 2.2 million ATMs through this Thomas Cook travel card. Moreover, it is extremely easy to get this card and it is delivered to your doorstep. It provides an insurance cover of USD 10,000. Through the loyalty program which is redeemable at Jet Airways and Taj inner circle.
One Currency Card: One currency is the single currency card from Thomas Cook. Thomas Cook claims that they provide the most competitive forex rates in the market. The card comes with chip and PIN password that keeps your card safe from fraudsters. You can call on their helpline anytime in case of emergencies. If you want to reload the card, you can easily do so by logging on the Thomas Cook website. You don’t have to spend the entire funds on your Thomas Cook travel card as you can withdraw the cash and use the unused funds for your next foreign travel.
Forex cards are here to make your travel experiences easy. Go ahead and get one now.
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