How do I activate international usage on my Kotak credit card?

Credit Cards Kotak
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1

I’m planning an international trip soon, and I have a Kotak credit card that I’d like to use abroad for shopping, dining, and hotel bookings. Before I go, how do I activate international usage on my Kotak credit card? Is there any specific procedure I need to follow? Do I need to inform Kotak about my travel plans, and are there any fees or charges I should be aware of when using the card overseas, like foreign transaction fees or currency conversion charges?

2

I had to go through this process too when I was preparing for my trip, so here’s what I learned.

To activate international usage on your Kotak credit card, it’s a pretty straightforward process. You can do it in one of two ways:

  1. Call Kotak Customer Care: Dial 1860 266 2666 and request them to enable international transactions on your card. Make sure to mention the dates and regions you’ll be traveling to, so they can flag your account for international usage, which helps avoid any transaction blocks for suspicious activity.

  2. Net Banking or Mobile App: If you prefer doing things online, you can log into your Kotak NetBanking account or the Kotak mobile app. Under the ‘Credit Card’ section, you’ll find an option to enable international usage. Just toggle the option and you’re all set.

One thing to keep in mind: Kotak will sometimes block international transactions by default for security reasons, so it’s a good idea to let them know when and where you’re traveling in advance.

Once it’s activated, you can use your card just like you would in India—at any merchant that accepts Visa or MasterCard. However, don’t forget about the foreign transaction fee (around 3.5%), which is charged on every purchase made abroad. Also, currency conversion will apply if you’re shopping in a different currency.

3

To use your Kotak credit card abroad, you need to manually enable international usage. You can do this through the Kotak mobile app or net banking by going to card settings and turning on international transactions for POS, ATM, or online use.

You don’t need to inform Kotak about your travel plans, but enabling the feature is a must. The card usually has a 3.5 percent foreign currency markup fee plus 18 percent GST on that fee. Exchange rates are based on Visa or Mastercard rates on the settlement day.