Core Insights - The recent depreciation of the rupee to 90 against the US Dollar highlights the importance of selecting the right travel card to manage foreign spending effectively [1][19] - A forex card allows users to preload foreign currency, securing the exchange rate in advance, while a credit card converts INR at the current rate, exposing users to exchange rate fluctuations [2][19] Exchange Rate Impact - If planning to spend $1,000, the budget can be significantly affected by the rupee's exchange rate fluctuations, with potential costs ranging from Rs 86,000 to Rs 94,000 depending on appreciation or depreciation [3][19] - The table illustrates that a depreciation of the rupee results in an additional cost of Rs 4,000, while appreciation leads to savings of Rs 4,000 [3] Forex Card vs Credit Card - Forex cards are ideal for travelers who want to stick to a fixed budget, as they allow preloading of funds, while credit cards may lead to overspending due to higher credit limits [16][20] - Credit cards may be more suitable when foreign exchange markups are low or when they offer strong rewards [17][20] Zero Forex Markup Cards - Many cards claim "zero forex markup," but the distinction between interbank rates and platform rates (like Visa) can significantly impact costs [4][5][19] - Cards that claim zero markup may still use network forex rates, which can be up to 1% higher than actual interbank rates, leading to higher final costs [7][19] Product Comparisons - IDFC FIRST Bank's FIRST WOW! Black credit card offers zero forex markup on network exchange rates, which may carry high currency risk due to INR fluctuations [10][20] - DCB Niyo secured credit card also offers zero forex markup on Visa's exchange rate and includes tiered rewards, making it attractive for new-to-credit customers [12][13][20] - BookMyForex's multi-currency forex card uses live interbank rates and allows users to load multiple currencies, providing zero currency fluctuation risk during travel [14][15][20]