HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Card Review
The HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card is a prepaid travel card. You load foreign currency at a locked rate before you travel and spend it abroad without the 3.5% markup most credit cards charge.
The savings depend on loading the right currency. Spending in a currency you have not loaded triggers a 2% cross-currency charge, and every load attracts GST on currency conversion and TCS where applicable.
- Holds 22 currencies on one card
- No markup on spends in a loaded currency
- Exchange rate locked at the time of loading
- Insurance cover and emergency cash assistance
- Backup card, chip and PIN, contactless; valid for 5 years
- ₹500 + GST issuance fee and ₹75 + GST per reload per currency
- 2% cross-currency markup if you spend in an unloaded currency
- ATM fee of USD 2 per withdrawal (or equivalent)
- GST on currency conversion and TCS on loads
- Online reload only for existing HDFC customers
Fees and charges
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Issuance fee | ₹500 + GST |
| Reload fee | ₹75 + GST per reload, per currency |
| Cross-currency markup | 2% (spending or transferring in a currency not loaded) |
| ATM withdrawal | USD 2.00 / EUR 1.50 / GBP 1.00 per withdrawal (or equivalent) |
| Balance enquiry | USD 0.50 |
| Daily ATM limit | USD 5,000 |
| GST on conversion | 0.18% (minimum ₹45) up to ₹1 lakh, then tiered |
| TCS | Applies to loads as per LRS rules |
How the card charges you
A forex card does not earn rewards. Its value is in what it saves. When you swipe a credit card abroad, the bank converts at its own rate and adds a markup, usually 3.5% plus GST. With this card you convert rupees to foreign currency when you load it, at HDFC’s card rate on that day, and then spend that currency directly.
Supported currencies: USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, JPY, SGD, CHF, AED, HKD, SEK, THB, ZAR, OMR, NZD, DKK, NOK, SAR, KRW, BHD, QAR and KWD.
Other benefits
| Benefit | Detail |
|---|---|
| Insurance | Cover for lost card and travel-related risks (see HDFC’s current schedule for amounts) |
| Emergency assistance | Emergency cash delivery and a backup card |
| Security | Chip and PIN, contactless payments |
| Validity | 5 years |
Eligibility
Issuer
HDFC Bank
Network
Visa
Who can buy
Resident Indians travelling abroad (KYC and travel documents required)
Online reload
Existing HDFC Bank customers
Who this card is for
- Good fit: travellers visiting one or two countries who can load the right currency in advance.
- Skip if: you will travel through many countries with different currencies — a zero-forex-markup credit card may be simpler.
Alternatives worth comparing
- Best forex and prepaid travel cards
- Best zero-forex-markup credit cards
- The real cost of forex markup
- TCS: credit card vs forex card
Final verdict
A solid forex card for planned trips: no markup in loaded currencies and wide currency coverage. Keep an eye on reload fees and ATM charges, and compare with zero-markup credit cards if you travel often.
Frequently asked questions
How many currencies does the HDFC Multicurrency card support?
22, including USD, EUR, GBP, AED, SGD, THB and JPY.
Is there a markup on spending?
No markup if you spend in a currency loaded on the card. Otherwise a 2% cross-currency charge applies.
What does it cost?
₹500 + GST to issue and ₹75 + GST per reload per currency, plus GST on currency conversion.
What are the ATM charges?
USD 2.00 per withdrawal (EUR 1.50, GBP 1.00 or equivalent), plus any charge from the ATM operator.
Does TCS apply?
Yes. TCS under the LRS rules applies to forex card loads above the threshold.
Last verified: October 2026, against HDFC Bank’s Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus card pages and fees schedule. Card terms change often; confirm the current fees and reward rules on the issuer’s website before you apply. All fees are plus 18% GST.