Debit cards are plastic payment cards that are used to make purchases in-store or online instead of paying with cash. You link these cards with your bank account to make hassle-free transactions.
Unlike credit cards that use funds from a credit line extended by the credit issuer, debit cards draw money directly from your bank account, meaning the money on the debit card is your own money. You can also withdraw cash at ATMs using your debit card.
Difference Between A Debit Card And A Credit Card
Can You Use Your Indian Debit Card In The U.S.?
If you are wondering whether you can use your Indian debit cards in the U.S., the short answer is yes, you can. Major card processors such as Visa, MasterCard, and others operate all over the world.
Most banks in India issue international debit cards and offer you the facility to use your Indian debit card in foreign countries. You can use the card to withdraw local currency from any ATM abroad. Do keep in mind that international usage of debit cards is subject to additional charges (foreign transaction fee, currency conversion fee, ATM withdrawal fee, etc.).
You have two options: Either get a specialized international debit card or activate international transactions on your domestic debit cards.
You can request your bank to allow international transactions on your existing debit card or activate the service through your banking app or internet banking before you leave for the U.S.
Make sure you inform your bank beforehand when and where you will be going outside the country to avoid triggering fraud transaction alerts.
Why Should You Use An International Debit Card?
Banks offer international debit cards that come with various features, benefits as well as discounts on shopping, dining out in restaurants, fuel, and online purchases. You can earn reward points for purchases, get insurance, and so much more.
International debit cards can be extremely convenient when traveling abroad. Especially, in a cashless economy like the U.S., you probably don't need to carry huge amounts of liquid cash in your pocket and depend entirely on plastic money for making various payments. These cards allow you to access ATMs anywhere in the world and can easily convert currencies when you are in foreign countries.
If you want to keep your expenses within a budget and avoid using credit cards (ATM withdrawal using a credit card can be expensive because of the transaction fees and heavy interest rates as it is treated as a cash advance), debit cards are a good choice when traveling abroad.
Top Indian International Debit Cards That You Can Use in The U.S.
Note: Both residents and NREs (Non-Resident External) can apply. Resident Indians should hold one of these accounts with HDFC: Savings account/Current account/SuperSaver account/Salary account/Loan Against Shares account.
Benefits:
Voucher worth Rs 1,000 after spending Rs 30K in first 3 months
Online activation benefit: 100 bonus points on first online transaction worth Rs 500 or above within 30 days of issuance
Welcome benefit: Rs 250 SmartBuy voucher to shop across 150+ brands on SmartBuy and flat Rs 50 cashback on first PayZapp transaction worth at least Rs 200
1 Cashback point on every Rs 100 spent on telecom and utilities
1 Cashback point on every Rs 200 spent on groceries, restaurants, supermarkets, apparel, entertainment
Insurance cover (Up to Rs 10 lakhs Personal accidental death by air/road/rail, International Air Coverage of flat Rs 3 Crore on air tickets purchased via the debit card, Fire & Burglary- Rs 200,000 and loss of checked baggage- Rs 2,00,000)
Fees:
Annual fee: Rs 750+taxes
International Cash Withdrawal: Rs 125/transaction+taxes+3.5% cross currency markup
International Balance Enquiry: Rs 25+taxes
Cross Currency markup: 3.5%
ATM Decline due to insufficient funds: Rs 25+ taxes
Card Replacement: Rs 200+ taxes
Physical ATM PIN Regeneration fee: Rs 50+taxes
Cash Withdrawal & Transaction Limit
Daily Domestic ATM withdrawal limit: Rs 1 lakh
Daily Domestic shopping limit: Rs 5 Lakhs
Cash withdrawal is available across merchant establishments with a maximum limit of Rs 1,000 per day
Note: Only Burgundy account holders (premium customers) are eligible for the Burgundy debit card. The debit card fees including annual charges are waived. However, issuance/annual charges will apply for Non-Burgundy customers.
Benefits:
Free ATM withdrawals from any Bank's ATM around the world
Contactless transactions in select stores
Buy one get one free on movie tickets
Get 2 Axis eDGE domestic Reward Points on domestic and 6 international Reward Points for every Rs 200 spent
Get up to 20% off at more than 5000 restaurants within India
Enjoy higher purchase and withdrawal limit (Daily cash withdrawal limit Rs 3 lakh and daily purchase limit of Rs 6 lakh)
Access to exclusive airport lounges
Fuel surcharge waivers
Insurance covers (Personal Accident up to Rs 15 lakhs)
Although there are attractive benefits with international debit cards, be mindful of the fees and terms and conditions before getting them.To get the maximum benefits of your international debit card, make sure to choose a debit card that matches your needs and check whether the particular card you are availing of is popularly accepted by merchants and has wide ATM access.
One additional tip is that you can withdraw a huge amount of cash in one go and use cash for your daily expenses. This is one way to avoid the currency conversion fees and GST charges on frequent withdrawals and save more money.
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