1% Markup on International Transactions: SBI Credit Card offer
Do you know that Forex markup fees are one of the major profit making areas for credit card companies? Its good to see that SBI is picking up creative offers to get attention of International travelers. SBI card team certainly seems to have the right people who’s pushing the right kind of offers, but it doesn’t help me as of now as this offer is applicable only on POS (swipe) transactions and not Online. Here are more details:
1% Forex Markup Fee on International Transactions
- Get 2.5% Foreign Currency conversion mark-up waived off as Cashback on foreign currency transactions at retail stores (Point of sale merchant stores )
- Maximum Cashback: INR 1000.
- Valid between 01 Dec ‘2016 and 31 January 2017 (both days included)
- Offer not valid on SBI Card Signature & SBI Card Elite cardholders.
- Cashback will be processed within 45 days from the offer end date
- This offer is over and above any other international offer and does not affect in any way the card holders participation in any other offer / promotion run by SBICPSL
In other words, They’ll charge you 3.5% Markup fee +tax and reverse 2.5% as cashback. I guess tax component wont be revered, unsure though. ICICI also has similar offer for Intl txn’s, but with real stupid terms & conditions. Here are some expired offers with HDFC related to Intl spends, just to get an idea.
- 1 % Cashback on Markup Fee with HDFC Visa Credit Cards
- Bonus Rewards on international spens with HDFC MASTERCARD
Whatsoever, it helps only the real international travelers but doesn’t help card holders making Online Forex txn’s. Though, days are not far away for offers on Intl online txn’s to kick in, as demand is increasing and while cards with 0% markup fee like IndusInd Exlcusive signature Debit Card (my fav) is around, this offer stands nowhere.
By dealing with global consumers and with better data in hands, i’m expecting Amex to take an initiative on this in coming days, as they know what the user needs