Best Forex Cards with International Lounge Access: Features, and Fees (2026)

If you’re looking for a card to spend conveniently when you travel, and which also offers nice lifestyle perks, you might like the idea of a forex card with lounge access, so you can start your trips in luxury. Forex cards are optimised for travel use, and so often have extras like insurance or airport transfers thrown in - and some also offer lounge access benefits so you can relax before your flight.

Join us as we explore some top options for the best forex card with international lounge access, for customers in India. We'll also introduce you to the Wise Travel card, which allows you to hold 40+ currencies in on card and spend without any forex markups or hidden fees.

What is a Forex Card?

A forex card is a debit or prepaid card that allows you to spend conveniently in foreign currencies. Often cards are linked to multi-currency holding accounts so you can keep a balance in several different currencies, or in other cases you might find your card holds only on currency - INR or USD for example - but has no extra charges for spending in a foreign currency when you travel.

Some travel credit cards also offer lounge access. Want to learn more? Get our guide to airport lounge access credit cards here.

Do Forex Cards have lounge access?

Not all forex cards have lounge access as a perk - but it’s a relatively common option as forex cards are aimed at travellers, making lounge access an attractive benefit.

Things to Keep in Mind

A forex card with international lounge access offers some valuable perks when you travel - but they’re likely to also have costs and eligibility requirements you’ll need to check before you sign up. We’ve got some great options for your to compare in this guide - but when you’re deciding remember to bear in mind the following questions:

• What’s the joining fee? Joining costs can be quite high, and may outweigh the lounge benefits in some cases.
• What exchange rate is used for foreign currency balances? Forex cards might let you hold a foreign currency balance - but fees may apply in the exchange rates you get for conversion.
• Is there a foreign transaction fee? Foreign transaction fees push up overseas spending and can be hard to spot - compare your card’s fee schedule carefully before you spend.
• Does the card support your required currencies? Some forex cards support a broad range of currencies but others may be far more limited, with only one or two major currencies available.
• Does the forex card have lounge access at airports you use frequently? Some cards offer access only to lounges in India, while others only offer overseas usage.
• What are the eligibility requirements for lounge access? You may need to meet a minimum spend amount or book in advance.

Best Forex Card with International Lounge Access

Here’s a quick summary of our picks for the best forex card with lounge access in India. We’ve included a mixture of cards that support holding foreign currencies and others which have single currency balances and low or no foreign transaction costs, so you can see if any suit your needs.

*Details correct at time of research - 19th March 2026

ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card

Best for: No annual fee forex card with 15 supported currencies⁷, and 2x international lounge access

You can get the ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card with a one time joining fee of 2,999 INR, and you’ll be given two complimentary entries to international lounges through the Dreamfolks app. Just download the app and generate a QR code to enter the lounge of your preference from the Dreamfolks range. Once you’ve used your free passes you can purchase additional entries for a fee.

Main features:

• Supports 15 currencies for holding
• Spend and make ATM withdrawals anywhere the card network is supported
• Shop online after enabling online spending feature

Fees to know about:

• 2,999 INR joining fee, no annual fee
• ICICI exchange rate used which may include a markup
• Foreign transaction fee of 3.5%
• Variable ATM fees depending on currency
• 27 USD for lounge entry beyond 2 free passes

HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card

Best for: USD spending, with no additional foreign transaction fee when you need other currencies - plus quarterly HDFC forex card lounge access

The HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card offers one entry to select lounges in India every quarter. To get into the lounge you’ll just need to swipe your card on the electronic terminal on arrival. Cards support USD only for holding, but you can also spend in other currencies with no additional fees for conversion. Bear in mind that costs may apply which are added into the rate usd to convert INR to USD in the first place.

Main features:

• Add INR and convert to USD to spend overseas
• No ongoing fees to pay (transaction level costs may apply)
• Various complimentary insurance options available

Fees to know about:

• 1,000 INR joining fee
• HDFC exchange rate to convert from INR to USD, which may include a markup
• 75 INR reload fee
• 4 USD fee per ATM withdrawal, 0.5 USD for balance enquiry

Thomas Cook Borderless Travel Card

Best for: Range of airport perks including Thomas Cook forex card lounge access, porter and meet and greet, with minimum load requirements

To learn the full details of the Thomas Cook Borderless Travel Card you’ll need to register your interest online and await a call back from a team member. Only some highlights of the card’s features are published - for the full fee information you’ll need to talk directly to the sales team.

One feature that is highlighted online is lounge access. You can get up to 4 entries per year into international airport lounges in India, but you must have a 2,500 USD minimum load on your card, and you’ll have to book your preferred lounge at least 7 days in advance with Thomas Cook.

Main features:

• One free ATM withdrawal per month
• Airport meet and greet (load of 5,000 USD needed)
• Free eSIM with 500 USD load and request made 7 days in advance

Fees to know about:

• Fees are not set out online - Thomas Cook cards are only available by completing an online expression of interest and awaiting a call back

Niyo SBM Debit Card

Best for: No foreign transaction fee card linked to a savings account with quarterly lounge options

The Niyo SBM Debit Card is linked to a savings account to allow you to grow your balance as well as spending freely. The account supports INR only but there’s no foreign transaction fee. As a perk you can get 1 entry per quarter at select airport lounges outside of India. To qualify you need a minimum quarterly spend of 50,000 INR per card (swipe and online transactions only, not including ATM use).

Main features:

• Load at least 5,000 INR to your savings account to order your Niyo card
• Monthly interest at up to 7% (at time of writing, 19th March 2026)
• Spend in 100+ currencies

Fees to know about:

• No foreign transaction fee
• 423 INR international ATM fee⁸
• Domestic withdrawals - 5 free monthly, then 20 INR

Summary: What’s the best forex card with international lounge access?

Forex cards are designed to help lower the costs of spending overseas. You might be able to hold a balance in the currency you need to spend when you’re abroad, or you may access low or no foreign transaction fee spending, depending on the card you select.

As forex cards are mainly aimed at travellers, there are also often smart travel perks on offer to appeal to customers with an international lifestyle. Lounge access is one common benefit. If you’re thinking of getting a forex card with international lounge access you’ll need to compare a few different options before you sign up. It’s common to find that access is fairly limited to 1 - 4 annual entries, and minimum spend amounts may also apply. This might mean that the joining fees you pay outweigh the benefits if you won’t use the card often.

When you're comparing forex cards for your next trip, take a look at the Wise Travel card as well. Wise offers transparent pricing, with no hidden forex markups and uses the interbank rate for every conversion - so you know you get a great deal every time.

Travelling abroad? Bring the Wise Travel card: Interbank rate for every coversion, with no forex markups or hidden fees

Ensure your overseas spending doesn’t cost you more due to poor exchange rates or hidden fees. With no hidden markups, the Wise Travel card is a smart way to spend abroad. You'll always get the real interbank exchange rate for conversions across 40+ currencies. Wise's transparent, low pricing, plus no foreign transaction fees or forex markups, usually means you are getting the best value for your money.

The fully digital account opening and vKYC process allows you to sign up from the comfort of your home, and there are no annual or monthly fees either. Simply order your card, show proof of your travels, load your funds, and you're all set. Plus - card orders are currently free to Indian addresses (limited time launch offer, while stocks last)! A physical Wise card enables you to make secure chip and PIN payments and get some free ATM withdrawals while you're overseas. You can also instantly freeze or unfreeze your card in the app anytime for peace of mind.

Wherever your travels take you, the Wise Travel card is the only forex card you'll need to make spending internationally simpler and cheaper.

🚀 Get a free Wise Travel card

1. ICICI Bank Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card
2. HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card
3. Thomas Cook Borderless Travel Card
4. Niyo SBM Debit Card
5. ICICI Forex card fees
6. Niyo lounge access
7. ICICI Forex card FAQ
8. Niyo fees