Ultimate Savings Guide when travelling abroad using the Fi-Federal Debit Card

Planning an international trip? Managing expenses while travelling abroad can be challenging, especially with the hefty forex fees with traditional cards. 

For Indian travellers looking for a smarter, more cost-effective solution to control their spends overseas, the Fi-Federal Debit Card is the ultimate travel companion. 
 

Whether you’re booking flights, dining out, or paying for accommodation abroad, the Fi-Federal Debit Card reduces your expenses. It offers convenience, flexibility, and a host of benefits that cater specifically to the needs of Indians travelling overseas.

What makes the Fi-Federal Debit Card the ultimate travel card?
 

Unlike traditional forex cards, which impose loading charges each time you top up your card with foreign currency, the Zero Forex* Fi-Federal Debit Card offers a smooth international experience by eliminating such unnecessary costs. 
While cash may seem like a convenient option to avoid such hassles, it has its disadvantages. For starters, exorbitant loading fees (aka top-up fees) pop up during currency conversion. Then there are the unfavourable buy/sell rate markups, meaning you lose currency value during the exchange. 

Beyond these financial drawbacks, carrying large amounts of cash poses a security risk and involves the hassle of finding currency exchange counters, often at unfavourable rates.

The Fi-Federal Debit Card, however, eliminates these hefty charges. With zero forex* fees, no loading charges, and seamless global transactions, it's the ultimate companion for Indian travellers who want to manage their money smarter and cost-effectively abroad.

Fi-Federal Debit Card vs Cash vs Other Debit/ Credit Cards?

When it comes to managing travel expenses, the Fi-Federal Debit Card stands out as the most cost-effective and convenient option compared to cash, forex cards, other debit cards, or credit cards.   
                                                                   

*Based on 2024 reports from ICICI/HDFC Banks

How much do you save using the Fi-Federal Debit Card?

For each payment that you make using the Fi-Federal Debit Card, you save on forex markup fees that (intially deducted with each transaction) is refunded to you within 15-20 days.
Say, you’re travelling to Dubai with the Fi-Federal Debit Card. Each time you use the card to make a payment, you’re charged with up to 5% forex markup. 

This markup fee is refunded to you in the next 4 weeks or even sooner-meaning zero forex* charges paid!
Additionally, the card comes with multiple offers and discounts that help you to save over ₹20,000 on a trip costing around ₹2 lakhs! Let’s understand how. 
 

On a round-trip flight booking worth ₹70,000, you can avail of exclusive discounts if booked through platforms like Yatra, Qatar Airways, or EaseMyTrip and save nearly ₹1,000. 

For stays booked through Hotels.com worth ₹50,000, you get to save nearly ₹5,000. When it comes to transportation, whether it’s car rentals or cab services like Grab or Careem, spending ₹20,000 can result in savings of ₹7,000. 

To sum it up, the zero forex* markup benefits coupled with the buffet of discounts on international shopping, dining, and more, the Fi-Federal Debit Card lets you save around ₹7,500 just by avoiding foreign exchange charges.
 

Conclusion

With zero forex* fees, worldwide acceptance, and 2% rewards on every spends abroad, the Fi-Federal Debit Card emerges as the ultimate travel card for Indians traveling abroad. The card is designed to make international travel seamless for Indians and maximise their savings and convenience. 

*Note: Any mention of zero forex linked to the Fi-Federal Debit Card in this blog implies Zero Forex is available on select account plans.