Is IDFC FIRST WOW really 0% forex markup?

Yes, IDFC FIRST WOW charges absolutely 0% foreign currency markup on international transactions. It saves you approximately ₹4,130 per ₹1 lakh spent abroad compared to a standard card with 3.5% + 18% GST markup. The only charges to watch are ATM withdrawal fees, which are not waived.

Can I get Scapia without a credit score?

Scapia does require a credit check for approval. While it markets itself as accessible to younger users, having no credit history may result in rejection. IDFC FIRST WOW is the better choice for anyone without an established credit score — it is backed by a fixed deposit and approval is essentially guaranteed.

What happens to Scapia Coins if I don't travel?

Scapia Coins cannot be converted to cash or statement credit — they are usable only for travel bookings (flights, hotels) made through the Scapia app. If you don't book travel regularly, the coins have no value. IDFC WOW's primary benefit (zero forex) is realised automatically on every international transaction, making it more universally useful.

Credit CardsComparisons

IDFC FIRST WOW vs Scapia Federal Credit Card

IDFC FIRST WOW and Scapia Federal are the two best zero-forex credit cards in India — both lifetime free, both offering 0% foreign currency markup. The difference is in how you get them and what you earn beyond the forex benefit. IDFC WOW is secured against a fixed deposit with near-guaranteed approval regardless of credit history. Scapia is unsecured, earns Scapia Coins on every transaction, and comes with a dual Visa + RuPay setup for UPI rewards.

IDFC WOW for anyone who can't get a regular credit card due to credit history; Scapia for those who qualify and want ongoing travel rewards.

TravelCard A

IDFC FIRST WOW

International Trips

Annual Fee

Lifetime Free

Reward Rate

Zero Forex Markup

Apply Now Read full review →

TravelCard B

Scapia Federal Credit Card

Backpackers & Globetrotters

Annual Fee

Lifetime Free

Reward Rate

Zero Forex + ~2% effective value (10 Scapia Coins per ₹100)

Apply Now Read full review →

Feature comparison

Feature	IDFC FIRST	Scapia Federal
Annual Fee	Lifetime Free	Lifetime Free
Reward Rate	Zero Forex Markup	Zero Forex + ~2% effective value (10 Scapia Coins per ₹100)
Best For	International Trips	Backpackers & Globetrotters
First-Card Friendly
Lounge Access
Zero Forex Markup

Spending category coverage

Which categories does each card reward?

Category	IDFC FIRST	Scapia Federal
International travel
UPI payments
Zero forex markup

Earning example

Scenario: International trip: ₹1L spent in USD

IDFC FIRST WOW

₹0 forex markup saved vs ₹4,130 on a standard 3.5% + GST card

No reward points on international spends as primary benefit, but zero FX markup is the savings.

Scapia Federal Credit Card

₹0 forex markup + ~₹2,000 in Scapia Coins (~2% on spend)

Coins redeemable for flights/hotels in the Scapia app only.

Our verdict: which card should you pick?

Pick IDFC FIRST WOW

You don't have a credit score yet or have a low CIBIL — WOW is FD-backed with no credit check.
You want a simple, no-frills card that eliminates forex costs without any other complexity.
You can lock some funds in an FD and use the secured limit for international transactions.
You want guaranteed approval without any income proof requirements.

Pick Scapia Federal Credit Card

You have a good credit score (700+) and qualify for an unsecured card.
You book flights and hotels regularly and want to earn Scapia Coins redeemable on travel.
You use UPI regularly — Scapia's RuPay variant earns rewards on UPI scan-and-pay transactions.
You travel frequently and want both zero-forex AND ongoing reward accumulation.

Full pros & cons

IDFC FIRST WOW

What's good

0% Forex Markup — saves ₹3,500+ on every lakh spent abroad
FD-backed with guaranteed approval
No minimum income criteria required
3X reward points (~0.75% effective) on regular spends — 3 RP per ₹150 outside fuel/EMI/wallet

Watch out for

Credit limit is 100% tied to the FD amount blocked
Requires locking funds in a fixed deposit
Does not waive international ATM withdrawal charges

Apply Now

Scapia Federal Credit Card

What's good

0% Forex Markup on all international transactions
Dual setup: Visa for global travel, RuPay for 5% rewards on UPI/offline spends of ₹500+
Book flights and hotels entirely with Scapia coins directly in the app

Watch out for

Lounge access requires ₹20,000 combined spend in the previous month (doubled from ₹10,000 in February 2026)
Scapia Coins cannot be converted to statement cash
No rewards on utility bill payments (electricity, mobile, broadband, gas) and insurance premiums (effective February 2026)

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Frequently asked questions

Is IDFC FIRST WOW really 0% forex markup?: Yes, IDFC FIRST WOW charges absolutely 0% foreign currency markup on international transactions. It saves you approximately ₹4,130 per ₹1 lakh spent abroad compared to a standard card with 3.5% + 18% GST markup. The only charges to watch are ATM withdrawal fees, which are not waived.
Can I get Scapia without a credit score?: Scapia does require a credit check for approval. While it markets itself as accessible to younger users, having no credit history may result in rejection. IDFC FIRST WOW is the better choice for anyone without an established credit score — it is backed by a fixed deposit and approval is essentially guaranteed.
What happens to Scapia Coins if I don't travel?: Scapia Coins cannot be converted to cash or statement credit — they are usable only for travel bookings (flights, hotels) made through the Scapia app. If you don't book travel regularly, the coins have no value. IDFC WOW's primary benefit (zero forex) is realised automatically on every international transaction, making it more universally useful.

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