The HDFC Regalia ForexPlus Card is positioned as a premium prepaid travel card tailored for Indian travelers who frequently go abroad. With a range of travel-related benefits and competitive features, it seeks to simplify international spending by offering zero cross-currency markup and added travel protections.
In this review, we’ll cover its key features, benefits, drawbacks, and whether it truly delivers value in 2025.
Charges and Fees
The card has an issuance charge of ₹1,000 with GST, although this is not charged if you reload over 1,000 USD when buying the card. The cost of reloading the card is ₹75 with GST per transaction. Although the card technically promotes zero forex markup, there is a hidden markup of about 2.5% embedded in HDFC’s exchange rates, which tend to be less favorable than market rates reflected by sources such as Google.
The card will only accept USD, and while you are able to use it anywhere in the world in any currency, you are converting everything from the loaded USD amount. ATM withdrawals are $4 per transaction flat, which can add up if you use a lot of cash.
Benefits
Lounge Access
Cardholders are entitled to one international lounge access free per quarter, but limited to international terminals at Indian airports. This facility remains valid until the expiry of the card and can prove to be a convenient feature in the case of long-haul travel.
Free Insurance Cover
HDFC Regalia ForexPlus Card offers extensive travel insurance cover:
Air accident cover of ₹25,00,000 in case of death.
Death cover up to ₹5,00,000 in the event of road and rail accidents.
Coverage for loss of checked-in baggage up to ₹20,000.
Passport reconstruction coverage up to ₹50,000 in case of document loss.
Loss of cash in transit up to ₹60,000.
Card misuse protection against counterfeiting or skimming, up to ₹5,00,000.
These benefits offer a solid safety net for international travelers, particularly in urgent cases.
Usability and Experience
The card functions as an electronic prepaid purse. You top up in USD and spend at point-of-sale terminals, online, or ATMs worldwide. Since it’s on a prepaid basis, you don’t go into debt or pay interest charges, which makes your travel budget management simpler.
One of the biggest pluses is the lack of cross-currency conversion fees, so you can spend worldwide in any currency without extra cost while using your USD balance. The markup that’s built into the loading exchange rate should, however, be viewed as a stealthy cost.
5X Rewards Return in 2025
One of the more interesting developments is the return of HDFC’s promotional reward offers. Between January and March 2025, HDFC is giving 5X reward points on forex card reloads and loads made through HDFC Bank credit cards. This rewards limit is independent of the SmartBuy limit, which has been officially confirmed by the bank.
These other points of entry can be great value, particularly if you already have an HDFC credit card as your go-to spending card.
Additionally, the card is free to have if you top up over 1,000 USD when you buy it, as the ₹1,000 charge is reversed under this promotion.
Points
No cross-currency charge on international spend.
Comprehensive insurance cover, such as travel, accident, and fraud protection.
Lounge access at Indian international airports.
5X reward points on forex loads through HDFC credit cards (limited period).
Ease of global acceptance and simple online management.
Waiver of issuance fee on higher initial loads.
Cons
USD-only support; no multi-currency wallet support.
Exchange rates carry a hidden markup (~2.5%) which reduces the cost-effectiveness of loading.
High fee of $4 per ATM withdrawal.
Lounge access only for India’s international terminals.
Reward offers are time-limited and not guaranteed post-March 2025.