Imagine travelling the world without worrying about carrying cash or fluctuating exchange rates. ICICI Multi-currency Forex Cards offer a seamless way to carry 15 foreign currencies in one secure prepaid card, perfect for international students and travellers. Read on as we break down their unique features, benefits, and charges.
Also Read: How to Use Forex Card – A to Z Guide for Indian Travellers
Key Features of ICICI Forex Cards
The ICICI Forex card’s following salient features make it a go-to Forex card:1
- Chip-and-Pin Security
3D Secure authentication and chip-and-pin technology enhance transaction safety. 3D Secure uses a checkout password to verify your identity, while chip-and-pin protects your data from fraud.
- Card Management through ICICI Online Portals
You can apply for the Forex card via ICICI Bank’s internet banking, the iMobile app, or partnered platforms like ExTravelMoney. Enjoy doorstep delivery, and manage your funds anytime through ICICI’s ‘Self Care Portal’ for tracking and reloading your card.
- Available for Non-Account Holders Too
Even if you do not have a savings account with ICICI Bank, you can still apply for an ICICI Forex card by following a few additional steps.
- Free Replacement Card
The ICICI Forex Card kit includes an additional replacement card (excluding the Multicurrency variant). If you lose or damage the primary card, contact ICICI Bank customer care to activate the replacement card and transfer the balance.
- Emergency Cash Delivery Service up to USD 2000
Customers who need emergency foreign currency notes while travelling can contact customer service and get an emergency cash delivery service of up to USD 2000.
- ICICI Lombard Travel Insurance
Upon purchasing the card, cardholders automatically gain access to the ICICI Lombard Comprehensive Travel Insurance policy. This insurance covers uncertainties that arise during the trip, starting from the moment you leave residence for the scheduled flight and ending when you return home.2
The following aspects are covered under the insurance policy, with maximum coverage amounts listed:
| Insurance | Maximum Amount Covered |
| Personal Air Accident Cover (Death only) | ₹10,00,000 |
| Missing of Connecting International Flight During Transit | USD 300 |
| Loss of Travel Documents (Passport, Visa, Tickets) | USD 500 |
| Airplane Hijacking | Up to USD 3,000 |
| Delay in Receipt of Checked Baggage | USD 300 |
| Lost Card Liability Insurance Cover | ₹5,00,000 |
| Counterfeit Card Liability Insurance Cover | ₹5,00,000 |
Foreign Currencies Available
With ICICI Forex card, you can load up to 15 foreign currencies and lock the exchange rate to prevent rate fluctuations. The available currencies are:3
- United States Dollar (USD)
- Great British Pound (GBP)
- Euro (EUR)
- Canadian Dollar (CAD)
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Singapore Dollar (SGD)
- United Arab Emirates Dirham (AED)
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
- Japanese Yen (JPY)
- Swedish Krone (SEK)
- South African Rand (ZAR)
- Saudi Riyal (SAR)
- Thai Baht (THB)
- New Zealand Dollar (NZD)
- Hong Kong Dollar (HKD)
Types of ICICI Forex Cards
| Card Type | Zero Mark-up for Cross-currency Transactions | No. of International Lounge Accesses | Offers | No. of ATM fee waivers/month | Joining Fee |
| Expressions Sapphiro4 | ✔ | 2 | ₹ 1,000 Uber vouchers ₹ 500 Amazon voucher | 3 | ₹ 3,499 |
| Sapphiro5 | ✔ | 2 | 5% cashback on airline & hotel spends ₹ 1,000 Uber vouchers | 0 | ₹ 2,999 |
| Student Sapphiro6 | ✔ | 2 | ₹ 1,000 Uber vouchers ISIC (International Student Identity Card) membership (₹ 999) | 3 | ₹ 2,999 |
| Student Contactless7 | ✖ | 1 | ₹ 500 Uber voucher | 1 | ₹ 499 |
| Coral8 | ✖ | 0 | ₹ 500 Uber voucher (first load) ₹ 500 BookMyShow voucher | 0 | ₹ 499 |
| Multi-Currency9 | ✖ | 0 | Nil | 0 | Nil |
| Corporate10 | ✖ | 0 | ₹ 500 Uber voucher | 0 | Nil |
Also Read: Documents Needed for Foreign Exchange – A Complete Checklist
Forex Card Charges
Keep these charges in mind while using your ICICI forex card abroad:11
| Charge Type | Details |
| Point of Sale (POS) & Online Transactions | No charges |
| Cross-Currency (for transactions in a currency not loaded on the card) | 3.5% |
| Wallet-to-Wallet Transfer (from one currency to another within the card) | 2.5% (deducted from the destination wallet) |
| Cash Advance/withdrawal at POS Terminals | 0.5% |
| Balance Enquiry | approx. USD 0.50 per inquiry |
| Card Replacement | International Locations: USD 20 Domestic Locations: USD 3 |
| Fee for Uncapped ATM Withdrawals | 1% |
| Fee for Capped ATM Withdrawals | USD 1.86 |
Please Note: Charges are subject to change. Remember to verify the latest information on ICICI Bank’s official website.
So, how can you minimise these charges?
- A cross-conversion fee is charged when the currency loaded in a multi-currency card is converted to the local currency for payment. So, if your travel destinations are a few, it is better to consult a forex expert like ExTravelMoney and choose between a single or multi-currency forex card.
- Reduce the number of withdrawals and increase the amount withdrawn to keep ATM withdrawal charges under control.
- Dynamic currency conversion (DCC) happens when you choose to view your payable amount in Indian Rupees. Even if you select DCC just to see the expense in your domestic currency for estimation purposes, a spontaneous currency conversion occurs, and the amount is paid in Indian Rupees. Therefore, it is better not to choose DCC merely to check the price in INR.
If you’re looking for a forex card that combines functionality with affordability, ICICI Forex Cards are undoubtedly worth considering. Planning on how to buy ICICI Forex Card Online?
ExTravelMoney makes getting your ICICI Forex Card easy with a simple and fast application process. On visiting ExTravelMoney, you can consult with our forex expert and choose the best card suitable for your travel needs quickly and affordably. Buy Forex card today and travel with a light heart and card!
Also Read: Should I Exchange Currency at Airport When Flying Abroad from India?
Article Sources:
- ICICI Forex Card Benefits ↩︎
- ICICI Lombard Insurance Policy ↩︎
- ICICI Bank Official Website ↩︎
- Expressions Sapphiro Forex Card ↩︎
- Sapphiro Forex Prepaid Card ↩︎
- Student Sapphiro Forex Card ↩︎
- Student Contactless Forex Card ↩︎
- Coral Forex Card ↩︎
- Multi-currency Forex Card ↩︎
- Corporate Forex Card ↩︎
- ICICI Schedule of Charges ↩︎
Ann Mariya Job is the Associate Content Writer at ExTravelMoney.com. Holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism, she excels in creating deeply researched, engaging, and crisp content. Her work helps readers understand the complexities of foreign exchange, overseas money transfers, and international travel.