The timing might not be ideal, but Vistara has just launched a new card aimed at overseas travellers.

India’s first bank/ airline co-branded forex card

A forex card is a pre-paid travel card that can be loaded with a foreign currency of your choice, reducing the need to carry cash while travelling. The card can be used to pay for your overseas expenses, as well as for withdrawing local currency from an ATM.

Vistara and Axis Bank have teamed up to launch their own co-branded forex card - the first such collaboration between an Indian bank and airline.

The new ‘Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card’ can load up to 16 currencies and offers locked-in exchange rates. Customers will earn 3 Vistara CV Points on every USD 5 (or equivalent value) spent on the card, as well as 500 CV Points as a welcome bonus on sign up.

Club Vistara Points can be redeemed for award Flights (starting at 2,000 CV Points) and upgrade awards (from 500 CV Points).

Forex card customers can choose to retain a balance on the card, convert it to another currency for use on a future trip, or encash the amount. The card also provides emergency assistance services from TripAssist.

There is no requirement to be an existing Axis Bank customer to purchase a forex card - simply walk into any branch to get one for INR 500 + GST. Ravi Narayanan, president at the bank, said:

“We are happy to collaborate with Vistara to launch the ‘Axis Bank Club Vistara Forex Card’, aimed at providing the Indian globetrotter a host of privileges with a truly rewarding experience. One can shop and dine globally without worrying about high exchange rates and transaction charges, and also earn Club Vistara Points on the same.”

To find out more about the new card, click here.

Summing up

Vistara and Axis Bank have teamed up to offer a new forex card that allows customers to travel cash-free to international destinations, while also earning Club Vistara Points as they spend.

Signing up for an international spend card may not be high on your list of priorities right now, but this could be a useful new product to keep in the back of your mind when overseas travel opens up - especially if you are (or were!) a frequent flyer with Vistara.

Are you interested in the new Vistara-Axis Bank forex card?