HSBC India has announced a special limited-period offer, waiving foreign exchange mark-up charges on all its credit cards for existing resident customers. This initiative aims to provide significant relief on international transactions and reduce the overall cost of overseas spending during the promotional window.
The zero forex mark-up benefit will be available from August 15 to September 15, 2026, inclusive of both dates. During this month-long period, HSBC credit cardholders will not incur the typical foreign exchange fee when making transactions in foreign currencies, whether abroad or online.
Which HSBC Credit Cards Are Included?
This comprehensive offer extends to HSBC's entire credit card portfolio. This includes popular cards such as the HSBC Premier Credit Card, HSBC Taj Credit Card, HSBC Live+ Credit Card, HSBC TravelOne Credit Card, and the HSBC Platinum Credit Card. It's important to note that the HSBC Prive Credit Card and HSBC RuPay Cashback Card already inherently offer zero forex mark-up on international purchases since their respective launches in 2024 and 2025.
The benefit applies to a wide range of foreign currency transactions, encompassing both merchant point-of-sale purchases and online payments made using eligible HSBC credit cards within the offer period.
Understanding Foreign Exchange Mark-Up
A foreign exchange mark-up is a fee typically charged by card issuers when a customer uses their card for transactions in a currency other than their home currency. By eliminating this charge, HSBC's offer directly reduces the effective cost of international purchases, making it particularly advantageous for individuals traveling overseas, shopping on global websites, or paying for services from international providers.
This promotion is especially useful for customers booking hotels, flights, and various activities on international platforms, where foreign currency transactions can often attract additional card charges. Since the benefit applies across the eligible credit card range, customers can continue using their preferred existing cards without needing to switch to a specialized product for their international spending.
Continued Zero DCC Charges
In addition to the limited-period zero forex mark-up offer, HSBC India has also reaffirmed that its credit cardholders are not charged a Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fee. DCC allows an overseas merchant to process a transaction in the customer's home currency (e.g., Indian rupees) rather than the local currency. HSBC customers who opt to pay in INR while abroad will continue to avoid any DCC charges.
Sandeep Batra, Head of International Wealth and Premier Banking at HSBC India, emphasized the bank's commitment to ensuring customers receive optimal value on their international transactions. "Whether travelling overseas, shopping on global websites, or paying for overseas services, we want our customers to get value," Batra stated.
HSBC has a long-standing presence in India, operating 32 branches across 20 cities and serving the country for over 170 years.