Frequently Asked Questions - Travel Forex Card

Currently, Axis Bank offers 3 variants of the Forex Card to its customers.

• Multi-Currency Forex Card.
• World Traveller Forex Card.
• Diner's Card.
• Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card.

The benefits of a Forex Card include:

• Safe and convenient way to carry currency when overseas.
• Various currencies available on a single card, for frequent travellers and/or multi-country tours.
• Locked in exchange rates as on loading the card, protecting you from rate fluctuations.
• Inclusion of insurance in case of the card being lost or stolen.
• Replacement or delivery of emergency cash/card to the user's overseas location in case of a lost/stolen card.
• Option to retain, encash or transfer currency loaded on a card.
• Special Travel offers and 'Miles' on the loading of currencies and usage.

Currently the following currencies are available on Multi-Currency Forex Card:

USD(United States Dollars), EUR(Euro), GBP(Great Britain Pounds), SGD(Singapore Dollars), AUD(Australian Dollars), CAD(Canadian Dollars), JPY(Japanese Yen), CHF(Swiss Franc), SEK(Swedish Krona), THB(Thai Baht), AED(UAE Dirham), SAR(Saudi Riyal), HKD(Hong Kong Dollars), NZD(New Zealand Dollars), DKK (Danish Kroner) and ZAR(South).

You don't need an account relationship with Axis Bank to purchase a Multi-Currency Forex Card. Simply, go to Axis website or Axis Mobile App and apply online in few quick steps or walk into any Axis Bank Branch and purchase a Multi-Currency Forex Card over the counter.

Please click here for the fees and charges.

The usage of your Multi-Currency Forex Card should be in strict accordance with the regulations of the Reserve Bank of India and FEMA regulations. The amount loaded or reloaded on a card should be done as per the foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 and prevailing RBI regulations in force.

Contactless Multi-Currency Forex Card is a fast and convenient way to pay for every day purchases. It has a secure, contactless chip technology designed to help you spend less time at the cash counter and give you the freedom to do the things that matter the most to you. This card is powered by payWave technology supported by VISA which allows you to pay by simply waving your card.

• Ultra short range - generally less than 4 cm.
• Unique built in secret key, which is used to generate a unique code for every contactless transaction.
• Every transaction is securely authorised.
• The power and global reach of the VisaNet system to help prevent fraudulent transactions.

The contactless transaction limit is normally below USD 100 per transaction. However this may vary as per each country's regulation. Card user can check the limit with the merchant before usage. In case the transaction amount is greater than the permitted transaction limit, merchant would swipe/ dip the card in the normal POS terminal.

The Axis Bank Contactless Multi-Currency Forex Card can also be used as a normal chip cards and would have all the features that are available on the Multi-currency Forex Card.

You are advised to :

• You can commence the usage of the card once the same is activated. The card activation takes one business day provided all documents required for regulatory due diligence are successfully verified.
• Ensure that you receive the PIN and sign on the signature panel at the back of the card.
• Change the PIN and check the balance on the card at any Axis Bank ATM before your departure from the country.

Your PIN (Personal Identification Number) is a unique 4 digit secure number assigned to your card and known only to you. This PIN can be changed (only) at any Axis Bank ATM in India.

The card gets blocked for use at ATMs, if the card has been used with the wrong ATM PIN more than 3 times. This is for your own security and to prevent any fraudulent use on the card. If you have forgotten your PIN, you may call the 24- hour helpline + 040 67174100 or contact the branch for generation of a new PIN. Click here for more details.

Yes, Forex Card can be swiped directly for payments at merchant establishments that accept VISA/MasterCard.

No, there is no transaction fee incurred for swiping your card for payments at merchant establishments.

You do not need to share your PIN while swiping your card at most merchant establishments. However, it might be required at a few places. Please enter your PIN yourself if required to ensure the safety and security of your card.

There is a daily limit of $10000 for purchases at a merchant establishment and a daily limit of $1000 or equivalent for cash withdrawal from ATM.

All ATMs overseas displaying the VISA/MasterCard symbol will accept your Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card. There are over 2 Million ATMs worldwide. For a comprehensive list of all VISA accepting ATMs click here for a comprehensive list of all VISA accepting ATMs. For locating a MasterCard accepting ATM click here for locating a MasterCard accepting ATM

There is a transaction fee levied at various ATMs for cash withdrawal and balance inquiry. Please click here to get the complete tariff details.

Generally, the options available at the ATM for cash withdrawal are "Checking", "Credit", and "Savings". You should choose the "Checking/Current" option. In case the Checking/Current option is not available, you should select the "Credit" option. The “Savings” option does not link to the VISA network and hence the transaction would not be successful.

No, generally, ATMs display the amount withdrawn and balance available in the local currency. With this information, you can calculate the foreign exchange rate applied.

A pre-authorisation is a temporary hold of a specific amount of the available balance on a card that is provided upon booking. The pre-authorisation is not a charge and no funds have been debited from your account.

You can use the card to pay your hotel bills at the time of check-out. However, please avoid using your card for checking-in (pre-authorisation) at hotels. If you choose to use your card at the time of check in, the funds on your card will be blocked till such time that the bills is finally settled. To prevent blocking of funds please make sure that all the test swipes are cancelled.

If you have already settled your bill through another mode, please request the hotel to send a scanned copy of the Authorisation Cancellation letter on the letterhead of the hotels settlement Bank or on the hotels letterhead to us via E-mail. Further, the hotel should state that you have settled this bill through some other mode and they don't need the authorisation taken any more.

If you have already checked out from the hotel and unable to provide the letter, you may provide us with the copy of the final paid bill which contains the check-in and check-out dates and mode of payment.
If the hotel claims that the transaction was declined at their end then you should request the Hotel to send us scanned copy of the letter through email stating that you have settled this bill through some other mode and they will not be raising any claims against your card from us.

You can keep a track of your balances and the transactions done on your card via e-mail, SMS, Internet Banking or the Axis Mobile app. If you choose to SMS, message ‘MCCBAL last 4 digits of your card to '56161600' or '+918691000002' Please ensure that you share your e-mail id while signing up for the card, and for SMS alerts, please ensure that you have international roaming activated on the number shared with us while signing up.

In case of loss of card, ATM PIN or the Internet banking password, you may call the 24- hour helpline + 040 67174100, contact the branch or write into us by visiting www.axisbank.com/support for generation of a new PIN Click here for more details.

To receive SMS you do not need to opt of the same. Kindly ensure to provide your correct mobile number while applying for the card. To receive SMS alerts while you are travelling abroad, please ensure that you have international roaming activated on the number shared with us while signing up. Visit axisbank.com/support or call at +91 40 67174100 to update your Mobile number. You may also contact the branch for the same.

Axis Bank does not charge for SMS alert facility. However on sending the SMS, Axis Bank shall not be liable for any extra charges being levied by the service providers.

If the transaction is done in base currency (currency with which the card was loaded), there is no exchange rate applicable. However, for transactions other than the base currency, exchange rates / conversion rates from the base currency to the local currency would be applicable as per fine rates applied by VISA/MasterCard. Currency conversion is done automatically in an international online environment by VISA/MasterCard.

In certain countries, the acquiring banks may choose to activate the feature of “Dynamic Currency Conversion” on their ATM’s and POS machine network. As per this facility the ATM/POS machine identifies the Multi-Currency Forex card as a card issued from a foreign country and prompts the customer to transact in their “Home Currency”. If a customer selects the “Home Currency” option then you will be charged extra currency conversion fee, hence please do not select this option. Kindly do not use your Forex card on merchant outlets who opt for DCC - (Dynamic currency conversion) option at the time of settlement of your bills while swiping Forex card. Always ask a merchant to settle the transaction in the currency loaded on your Forex card.

To know more Click here.

We request you to note that as the Multi-Currency Forex Card is purchased and loaded with the purpose of using the card in the respective foreign currency, the customer must avoid selecting any option that prompts for a change in usage currency to avoid any adverse exchange rate.

The "dynamic currency conversion" feature may appear with differing terminology depending on the overseas bank. Axis Bank is not responsible for any "dynamic currency conversion" related charges and will not be able to refund any such charges in case they are levied on account of wrong usage of card.

Usage of the Multi-Currency Forex Card needs to be in accordance with the Exchange Control Regulation of Reserve Bank of India and the applicable laws in force from time to time, in particular and without information, the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999. Also, note that the card is not to be used for margin payments being made for online forex trading transactions.

To register your E-mail Id you may contact any of our 24 x 7 International Toll free numbers or the India paid number. You may also visit the nearest Axis Bank Branch for the same.

You may check your account balance through below mentioned channels :

• Internet Banking.
• Axis Mobile Application.
• Type TCCBAL(Space)(Last four digits of the card) or MCCBAL(Space)(Last four digits of the card) & SMS on 56161600(from India) or +918691000002(from Abroad).
• By calling us on our toll free numbers.

You would receive an SMS confirmation as soon as your card is loaded/reloaded. It is advisable to check the balance on the card at any Axis Bank ATM before your departure from the country. You can also check your balance on our website using the login id and password provided for internet banking.

In case you have exhausted the funds on the card, you can reload your card with additional funds.

You can visit a branch or if you have an Axis Bank Savings account you can login to your Axis Mobile Banking App or Internet Banking to reload. You can use online channels to reload up to 5000 USD per transaction and 10,000 USD annually. To load more, you can contact any Axis Bank branch.

Yes, you can reload your Forex Card via Axis Mobile. Or you may leave a signed copy of the reload form and authorization with your family. Your family member can approach Axis Bank Branch with the Reload form. On submission of the documents and receipt of the payment, the card would be reloaded.

This is a paid service provided by VISA. Axis Bank Forex Cardholders can receive assistance from VISA Global Customer Assistance Service, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

GCAS can be used for lost/stolen card reporting, emergency cash assistance or miscellaneous information that the customer may require overseas.

These services are available at the following toll free numbers:

• Australia: 1-800-450346
• Canada: 1-866-639-1911
• France: 0800-904349
• Germany: 08001822891
• Hong Kong: 800-900-782
• Japan: 00531-44-002
• Singapore: 800-4481-250
• United Kingdom: 0800-169-5189
• United States: 1-866-765-9644

In case the customers are travelling in any other part of the world, they may avail of these services by placing a collect call to 61-2-92513704.

The services are charged as follows:

• Miscellaneous Customer Service Inquiries : US $ 5 per inquiry
• Lost/Stolen Card reporting : US $ 35 per card
• Emergency Card Replacement/ Emergency Cash Assistance : US $ 175

We offer complimentary insurance cover to safe guard you from any fraudulent usage on your Forex Card :

Lost/stolen/counterfeit cards the insurance cover is upto INR 3,00,000. ATM Withdrawal in case of lost or stolen card is not covered under the current policy.

ATM assault and robbery, the insurance cover is upto INR 60,000/- including the expense incurred towards medical treatment.

Please note: An FIR is mandatory for ATM assault and robbery claim.

Period of coverage for lost card / Counterfeit / Skimmed card

• Pre-reporting - 38 days
• Post-reporting - 3 days

Claim should be reported by card holder to Bank within 3 days from the date of receipt of statement/knowing on fraud transaction where in the alleged lost card transaction/online/fraud transaction/counterfeit is happened.

Please click here to know which documents are required for claiming insurance

In case you have a dispute on any specific transaction, you are requested to provide the details of the transaction via email for doing the needful. Click here to send an email to send an email.

You can call the 24- hour helpline + 040 67174100 or send an email to email helpdesk to report a lost or stolen card. Our Customer Service executives will immediately block the lost card and prevent it from further use and arrange to send you a replacement card within 2 working days. It is important to note that a lost card report will be taken only after verification of your mother's maiden name, date of birth, passport no etc. Click here for more details.

All customer service channels will be able to assist you with your query only if your card is activated. The Card activation takes one business day provided all documents required for regulatory due diligence received from the customer are successfully verified.

To contact customer service channels you may click here to write to us or call the 24- hour helpline + 91 40 67174100 or visit any nearest Axis Bank Branch for assistance.

Alternatively you may log in to Internet Banking or Axis Mobile Application to view your card details.

The Card can be encashed only after your return to India. Furthermore, the last transaction done on the card should be more than 10 days prior to the date of encashment.

For refund of the residual or unutilized balances you can approach any of the branch of the Bank irrespective of where the card was issued.

You need to complete the refund form and submit a copy of your passport along with the form.

You can partially or completely encash your card and you need not surrender your card to the branch. You can retain the card for your future trips.

If your card has expired before all funds have been utilized, you can contact any Axis Bank branch for refund of the un-utilized balance, or apply for replacement card to continue to access the remaining funds for payment through the card in future.

No, in order to withdraw 400 USD from the ATM, anyone of the wallets should have an amount equivalent to 400 USD including the amount to cover the withdrawal and cross currency charges.

No

No, however they may show a message indicating that the transaction will be initiated in USD along with the exchange rate used and a with a choice given to the customer to proceed or cancel.

The same should reflect in the charge slip received while doing the transaction.

Yes, it will take around 2 business days for the refund to be processed and 3-5 business days for the refund amount to show up in your account.

Yes, you can conveniently pick your Forex Card from your nearest Axis Bank branch.

Yes, you can select the branch in which you want the card to be delivered.

Yes, you may provide a new address for us to deliver your Forex Card.

Validity of the card is as mentioned on the Forex Card front side. Kindly refer to the same.

You can buy Forex Card up to 6 months before your planned travel date.

Yes, you can have funds transferred from one wallet to another wallet by contacting the branch. For eg. If you have funds in USD wallet and want to transfer the same into your GBP wallet in the forex card, you need to contact the branch for the same. Please note that exchange rate prevalent on the day will be applied to the transaction.

If you have availed the forex card through the physical channel i.e Axis Bank branch, then only the wallets initially loaded through the branch are active on card. If you wish to later load funds in some other wallet then you need to contact the branch for the same so that they can activate the wallet you wish to load. Once the needful is done by the branch you may reload through Internet banking or Mobile banking app (Note -Only customers holding Axis Savings account can reload through Internet banking and Mobile banking app) If you have availed the forex card through the digital channel (online) then all the wallets are active at the time of issuance, though you may choose to load only one or few wallets as per your choice. If you wish to reload any other wallet later during the course of card being active, you can do so anytime through Internet banking or Mobile banking app (Note - Only customers holding Axis Savings account can reload through Internet banking and Mobile banking app).