International Usage of Indian Credit Cards and Debit Cards

International Usage of Indian Credit Cards and Debit Cards

International Usage of Indian Credit Cards and Debit Cards: A person can execute an international transaction with an Indian credit or debit card without using OTP/PIN. Every international transaction is possible with the information provided in a card, such as a card number, expiry date and CVV. The holder of the debit or credit card will still get an SMS regarding the international transaction executed using his/her card. So in order to eliminate the chances of online theft, one can disable his/her card for online transactions. Banks that allow International transactions through their cards always charge some fees for the same.

This article will try to answer some of the questions that people have in their minds regarding international transactions through debit or credit cards. This will give all the account holders a proper understanding of the benefits and risks that are involved with an international transaction.

International Usage of Indian Credit Cards and Debit Cards Overview

Every Indian bank card that seems to use Visa, MasterCard, or Amex gateway is eligible for international transactions. At present, almost every bank is providing International transaction services with their debit or credit cards. In order to use this service, one has to inform his/her bank regarding the same. One can check the availability of these services on his/her card through the official website of the bank.

When a person uses his/her debit or credit card in India physically, i.e., when the card is swiped in the merchant’s machine, the cardholder needs to provide a PIN or the Personal Identification Number for executing the transaction. PINs are usually in four digits and are also used in ATMs for cash withdrawal. The PIN should not be disclosed to anybody except the cardholder.

When a person in India uses his/her debit or credit card for online transactions, he/she needs to provide a password or a one-time password sent to his/her registered mobile number for executing the online transaction.

Let’s discuss some facts which are related to international transactions:

  • One has to make sure that the bank has activated International transactions for his/her card.
  • A cardholder with Visa, MasterCard or Amex gateway can complete international transactions without the need for an OTP/PIN. One only needs to provide the card information such as the card number, expiry date and CVV. If a person is using a payment gateway that is outside of India, then they are not bound by the RBI mandate; therefore, they might not ask for OTP authentication, but one will still receive a message that his/her card is used for a particular transaction.
  • Reserve Bank of India has recently mandated that each and every credit card issuer must ensure that they are providing liberty to the customers for either enabling or disabling international spendings.
  • In case one has enabled international spendings on his/her card, then the cardholder must have a choice for setting his/her credit limit.
  • In case one has disabled his/her credit card, then he/she cannot use the card in international outlets, international ATMs and international shopping sites.
  • When a person uses his/her debit or credit card for international transactions, he/she makes the payment in an international currency and not in the Indian rupee; therefore, extra charges are involved with such transactions such as Foreign Transaction Charge, Foreign Currency Conversion Fee along with GST. Consolidated FCY Markup Fee is considered to be a fee that a customer pays to his/her credit card company while doing international transactions.

Credit Cards and Debit Cards

How to Enable HDFC Bank Credit Card or Debit Card for International Transactions?

In order to enable international transactions in HDFC Bank’s debit or credit card, one has to follow the following steps:

  • First, login into Netbanking through the official website of HDFC Bank.
  • Then click on the option ‘Cards’.
  • After that follow the following process – Credit/Debit cards > Request > International Enable/Disable.
  • One can also call phone banking for enabling/disabling international transactions.

How to Enable ICICI Bank Credit Card or Debit Card for International Transactions?

In order to enable international transactions in ICICI Bank’s debit or credit card, one has to follow the following steps:

  • One must SMS INTL to 5676766 from his /her mobile number, which is registered with the bank.
  • Call ICICI Bank Customer Care.
  • Log in to the mobile app of ICICI bank, then follow these steps – Services > Card Services > Modify Debit Card Limit > choose the option ‘Activate International Transactions’.

How to Enable SBI Credit Card or Debit Card for International Transactions?

In order to enable international transactions in SBI Bank’s debit or credit card, one has to follow the following steps:

  • Visit the official website of SBI then the account holder must enter his/her user id and password when asked and select the activate option. OR
  • Visit the website “sbicard.com” or use the mobile app of the SBI card. Then one must log in to his/her account by entering the user id and password. In the next step, one must select the option ‘Request’ from the left menu and click on ‘ Activate International Usage’.

How to Enable Axis Bank Credit Card or Debit Card for International Transactions?

In order to enable international transactions in Axis Bank’s debit or credit card, one has to follow the following steps:

  • One needs to login into the official website of Axis Bank Internet Banking or into the mobile app.
  • Click on the option ‘Accounts’.
  • Select the option ‘Credit Card or Debit Card’. Then one must select one of these cards as per his/her requirement.
  • Then click on ‘Replace/Upgrade Card’.
  • Change Usage Preference

How to Disable Credit Card or Debit Card for International Transactions?

When one decides to disable his/her international transaction services from debit or credit card, the person must know that he/she will be banned from using the card in outlets that are in international locations, ATMs that are in an international location and international shopping websites. The process is similar to the process one follows when he/she is interested in enabling International transactions.

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