HSBC India is removing foreign exchange markup fees for all its credit cardholders between August 15 and September 15, 2026. This limited-time promotion targets international travelers and online shoppers looking to save on conversion costs. Customers should still remain aware of standard currency fluctuations and applicable regulatory guidelines on international spending.
HSBC India has introduced a temporary waiver on foreign exchange markup fees for its credit card portfolio. Between August 15 and September 15, 2026, existing cardholders will not have to pay the standard markup fee when making international transactions. This move is aimed at incentivizing spending for customers who travel abroad or make purchases on international websites.
The promotional waiver applies to a wide range of cards, including the HSBC Premier, Taj, Live+, TravelOne, and Platinum credit cards. It is important for cardholders to note that some specific products, such as the HSBC Prive and HSBC RuPay Cashback credit cards, already offer zero forex markup as a permanent benefit. This new, limited-period offer extends similar cost-saving benefits to the rest of the bank's active credit card base for a one-month window.
In addition to the markup waiver, the bank has reaffirmed its policy against Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) fees. When shopping abroad, card terminals often ask if a user wants to pay in the local currency or Indian Rupees. Choosing to pay in the local currency is generally more cost-effective, and HSBC’s policy ensures that customers do not face extra conversion charges for making this choice, a feature that remains active regardless of the promotional period.
For the bank, this initiative serves as a tool to improve engagement with its premium and travel-focused customer segments. In a competitive Indian credit card market, where financial institutions are actively competing for high-spending customers, offering temporary or permanent zero-fee forex transactions is a method to build loyalty among frequent travelers and global shoppers.
While this waiver reduces the transaction cost, users should remember that it does not eliminate all costs associated with foreign spending. Standard fluctuations in global currency exchange rates still occur, which can impact the final amount paid in rupees. Furthermore, customers must keep in mind that international transactions remain subject to existing regulatory frameworks, such as the Liberalised Remittance Scheme (LRS) and Tax Collected at Source (TCS) guidelines. Additionally, any applicable taxes, such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on banking charges, remain relevant to international card usage.
The most important monitorable for users will be reviewing the specific terms and conditions associated with their card type to understand the impact of these changes on their international expenses during the promotional period.