Best Credit Cards for International Travel: Avoid Hidden Charges & Maximize Rewards

Surprised by extra charges on your credit card after an overseas trip? You're not alone. International transactions often come with additional fees—foreign exchange markups, dynamic currency conversion (DCC), and ATM withdrawal charges—that add up quickly. Without the right card, you could be paying more than necessary every time you spend abroad.

Finding a credit card for international transactions that fits your habits can help you avoid these extra costs and even earn rewards on global spending. This article explains how foreign transactions work, outlines common hidden fees and provides insights on how to pick the best credit card for international use—so you can travel and shop worry-free.

Why you might be paying more than you budgeted for
 

International transactions with credit cards can become more expensive than you expected due to various hidden fees. Many banks apply additional costs to foreign currency transactions, which can quickly add up. Understanding these fees helps you make informed choices when spending abroad.

Key charges that may increase your international spending include:

1. Foreign exchange fees – Most banks charge a 3% to 3.5% forex markup on every international transaction. When a transaction is processed, the payment network (Visa, Mastercard, etc.) applies an exchange rate for currency conversion. However, banks often add an extra markup on top of this rate, increasing the total cost of the transaction. This markup can usually be seen in the credit card statement as a separate debit entry.
   
   
2. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees – This fee is applied when an international transaction is processed in INR instead of the local currency of the country you are visiting. Merchants choose the DCC rate at their discretion, and the additional charge can be as high as 3.5% of the transaction amount.
   
   
3. ATM withdrawal fees – Withdrawing cash abroad with a credit card incurs cash advance fees and a high daily interest. Most banks also apply a forex fee on ATM withdrawals.

Without the right credit card, international transactions can become costly due to these additional charges. Choosing a card with low or zero forex markup and lower withdrawal fees can make global spending more affordable.

Why the Mayura Credit Card is a great choice for international travel
 

The Mayura Credit Card is a premium metal credit card designed for optimising international travel. It offers zero forex markup, low-cost international ATM withdrawals, and premium travel benefits, making it a cost-effective and rewarding option for international transactions.

Here’s what makes it a strong choice for global travel:

1. Zero forex markup – Most credit cards charge a 3% to 3.5% forex markup on international transactions, but the Mayura Credit Card eliminates this fee entirely. This means you only pay the standard exchange rate (as applied by the network) without additional bank charges.
   
   
2. Low-cost global ATM withdrawals – Unlike most credit cards that charge high cash advance fees and daily interest, the Mayura Credit Card offers interest-free ATM withdrawals for up to 45 days. While there is a one-time ₹199 (+GST) transaction fee per withdrawal, it remains a more affordable and secure alternative to carrying forex cards or cash.
   
   
3. Complimentary lounge and spa access – You can enjoy four complimentary international lounge visits per quarter, ensuring comfort between flights. These benefits can be easily unlocked for a month on spending ₹20,000 or more in the previous calendar month.
   
   
4. Trip cancellation and travel insurance coverage – The Mayura Credit Card includes a no-questions-asked free trip cancellation cover of up to ₹50,000 twice in a policy year, protecting the non-refundable portion of hotel and flight cancellations. Additionally, comprehensive travel insurance coverage up to $1,200 ensures protection against luggage loss, flight delays, and other travel-related inconveniences.
   
   
5. Bonus rewards on flight and hotel bookings – The card offers 10 reward points/₹150 on transactions above ₹20,000 in a statement cycle and 5 points/₹150 on spends up to ₹20,000.

Offering zero forex markup and interest-free ATM withdrawals for up to 45 days, the Mayura Credit Card also includes extensive travel perks, making it an ideal companion for maximising savings when you travel abroad.

Travel benefits of the Mayura Credit Card
 

International travel with the Mayura Credit Card is both cost-effective and rewarding. Here’s how:

1. Save on hidden fees while shopping abroad
 

Let’s say you buy a handbag in Paris for €500. Thanks to the zero-forex markup on your Mayura Credit Card, you save an extra ₹1,575 compared to regular credit cards.

Here’s how:

2. Interest-free ATM withdrawals
 

You want to withdraw €500 from an ATM for spending on inter-city travel in Paris. Most credit cards charge a cash advance fee of 2.5% and an interest charge of up to 45% p.a. With the Mayura Credit Card, you only pay a flat fee of ₹199 + 18% GST, as it offers interest-free ATM withdrawals for up to 45 days.

             
*If full dues are paid on time.

3. Earn bonus reward points
 

Let’s say you use your Mayura Credit Card to book flights and hotels and for paying abroad. With 10 reward points/₹150 on spends above ₹20,000, you can quickly accumulate considerable points to redeem on your next trip!

Using the Mayura Credit Card ensures seamless, cost-effective international transactions, helping you save on international travel.

How to make the most of your Mayura Credit Card for international transactions
 

Using your credit card for international transactions efficiently requires both preparation and smart spending strategies. Taking the right steps can help you avoid unnecessary fees and ensure seamless payments abroad.

Here’s how to maximise the benefits of your credit card when travelling internationally –

1. Enable international transactions – Some banks disable this feature by default for security reasons. Activate it through your bank’s mobile app or customer support before travelling.

2. Set transaction limits – Adjust your card's daily transaction limits for point of sale (POS), ATM withdrawals, and contactless payments to maintain better control over spending and security.

3. Set up transaction alerts – Enable SMS or email notifications for transactions to track spending and detect unauthorised charges.

4. Always pay in local currency – When you choose to pay in INR, DCC fees apply, making your purchase more expensive. Paying in the local currency helps avoid this extra charge.

5. Inform your card issuer – Banks and card issuers use fraud detection systems that monitor spending patterns. If they suddenly see a foreign transaction from a country you don't usually shop in, they might flag it as fraud and block the card. That’s why it’s important to inform the Bank before you travel abroad.

By taking these steps, you can make international travel smoother and reduce extra costs while travelling. Choosing the best bank for international transactions ensures better security, lower fees, and a hassle-free experience abroad.

Conclusion
 

High fees on international transactions can make global spending costly if you don’t use the right credit card. Hidden charges like foreign exchange markups, DCC fees, and ATM withdrawal interest can add up quickly. Choosing a card with zero forex markup, travel perks, and reward benefits helps save money and make spending abroad more rewarding.

The IDFC FIRST Bank Mayura Credit Card is designed for seamless foreign transactions, offering zero forex markup, interest-free ATM withdrawals, and high reward points on global spends. Explore its features today and discover how you can save on forex markup, earn rewards, and travel with added security on every international transaction!