ICICI Bank Forex Prepaid Card Review (Sapphiro & Coral)
ICICI Bank’s travel forex range covers two prepaid cards — the premium Sapphiro (zero cross-currency markup and lounges) and the budget Coral. Both are prepaid, loaded before travel. Here is the verified review.
- Sapphiro: zero cross-currency markup
- Sapphiro: 2 international lounge visits + Uber vouchers
- Up to ₹5 lakh card-loss cover (both)
- Free Visa international SIM
- Coral: budget option, no annual fee
- Prepaid — no rewards/credit
- Load rate / reload terms apply
- Coral has fewer premium perks
- ATM/other charges per schedule
- Compare load rate vs true-zero-markup cards
Sapphiro vs Coral
| Feature | Sapphiro Forex | Coral Forex |
|---|---|---|
| Fee | ~₹2,999 + GST | ~₹499 + GST (no annual fee) |
| Cross-currency markup | Zero | Per schedule |
| Lounge | 2 international visits | — |
| Vouchers | Uber ₹1,000 | Benefits ~₹3,000 (incl. Uber) |
| Card-loss cover | Up to ₹5,00,000 | Up to ₹5,00,000 |
| International SIM | Free (Visa) | Free (Visa) |
Who these cards are for
- Sapphiro: frequent international travellers who want zero markup and lounges.
- Coral: occasional travellers who want a cheap, no-annual-fee forex card.
How to get it
Buy/load: via icicibank.com or a branch before travel; reload online. Pick Sapphiro for zero markup, Coral for budget.
Final verdict
ICICI’s forex range is solid: the Sapphiro’s zero cross-currency markup and lounges make it a strong premium travel card, while the Coral is a sensible budget option. Both are prepaid — for the cheapest possible forex, also compare true-zero-markup cards like BookMyForex/Niyo.
Frequently asked questions
Are these credit cards?
No — they’re prepaid forex (travel) cards, loaded with foreign currency before travel.
What’s the difference between Sapphiro and Coral?
Sapphiro (~₹2,999) is premium with zero markup and lounges; Coral (~₹499) is the budget option.
Is there cross-currency markup?
The Sapphiro offers zero cross-currency markup; Coral follows the standard schedule.
What card-loss protection is included?
Both offer cover up to ₹5,00,000 on card loss, plus a free international SIM.
Data current as of June 2026, cross-checked against ICICI Bank and aggregators. Forex rates/fees change — confirm on icicibank.com before buying.