Looking for a lifetime free credit card with zero forex markup? The Scapia Credit Card is currently one of the most popular travel credit cards in India for international spending.
Issued in partnership with Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda, Scapia is available on both Visa and RuPay networks. The card charges 0% forex markup, offers airport lounge access, and rewards travel spending without charging any joining or annual fee.
What makes Scapia stand out is its simplicity. There are no complicated milestone structures or reward categories to track. If you travel internationally even a few times a year, the savings on forex charges alone can make the card worth having.
However, recent changes to lounge access benefits have made the card less attractive for some users. In this Scapia Credit Card review, we look at its rewards, forex benefits, lounge access policy, drawbacks, and whether it is still worth getting in 2026.
Quick Verdict
Scapia is a good option for international spending because of its 0% forex markup and lifetime free structure. The card is best suited for travelers looking for a simple travel credit card without annual fees, though recent lounge access changes make it less attractive for frequent flyers.
Scapia Credit Card: Fees, Eligibility & Features (2026)
Scapia is designed primarily for travelers and international spending. Instead of cashback, the card rewards users with Scapia Coins that can be redeemed for flights and hotels through the Scapia app.
One important eligibility restriction is that existing Federal Bank and BOBCARD credit card users are not eligible for Scapia.
In my case, I already held the OneCard Credit Card from Federal Bank and the BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card. Because of this, my Scapia application was rejected initially.
I eventually closed my OneCard and reapplied around 30 days later. After that, my Scapia application was approved successfully.
Eligibility Requirement
Scapia is currently available only for new-to-bank customers. Existing Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda credit card users are not eligible.
Rewards on the Scapia Credit Card
| Spend Type | Rewards | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Spends | 2% Value Back | Earn 10 Scapia Coins per ₹100 spent online and offline. |
| UPI Spends | 1% Value Back | Earn 5 Scapia Coins per ₹100 spent via UPI on the RuPay variant. |
| Travel Bookings | 4% Value Back | Earn 20 Scapia Coins per ₹100 spent through the Scapia app. |
| Utilities & Insurance | No Rewards | Utility bill payments and insurance transactions do not earn rewards and are excluded from lounge milestone calculations. |
| Fuel Spends | No Rewards | Fuel transactions do not earn rewards. A 1% fuel surcharge waiver applies on transactions between ₹400 and ₹4000, capped at ₹500 per month. |
| Rent & Wallet Loads | 1% + GST Fee | Rent payments and wallet loading transactions attract a 1% fee plus GST. |
Scapia keeps its rewards structure fairly simple. You earn 2% back on regular spends and 4% back on travel bookings made through the Scapia app. The RuPay version also offers 1% back on eligible UPI transactions. Rewards are credited as Scapia Coins, which can be redeemed for flights and hotels within the app.
One interesting advantage is that jewellery spends still earn rewards. Most lifetime free cards exclude gold purchases entirely, so this can be useful for large one-time spends. That said, utility bill payments and insurance transactions no longer earn rewards or count toward lounge milestones.
How to Redeem Scapia Coins
Scapia has recently expanded the ways you can use Scapia Coins. While the rewards program was initially focused only on travel bookings, cardholders can now also redeem coins on the Scapia Store for product purchases.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Redemption Type | Flights, hotels, trains, buses, and products via Scapia app |
| Redemption Value | 5 Coins = ₹1 |
| Minimum Redemption | No minimum threshold |
| Full Payment Using Coins | Supported |
| Coin Validity | 36 months |
| Cashback Redemption | Not available |
| Inactivity Rule | Coins may expire after 365 days of inactivity |
The redemption value is fixed at 5 coins = ₹1, which keeps the rewards system fairly simple. If you have enough coins, you can even pay for the entire flight or hotel booking using rewards alone.
Coins remain valid for 36 months. Since cashback redemption is not available, the card makes more sense for people who travel regularly and prefer booking through the Scapia app.
Unlimited Lounge Access
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Lounge Access Requirement | ₹20,000 spend in previous billing cycle |
| Lounge Type | Domestic airport lounges |
| Visit Limit | Unlimited while eligible |
| Eligible Network | Participating lounges across India |
| Excluded Spends | Rent, utilities, insurance and fuel |
Scapia offers domestic airport lounge access on meeting a monthly spend requirement. To unlock lounge visits, you need to spend ₹20,000 in the previous billing cycle.
For a lifetime free travel card, this is still a fairly strong benefit, especially for people who travel multiple times a year. Lounge access is available across a large network of participating airport lounges in India.
Scapia also offers an alternative “Airport Privileges” feature in select situations where lounge access may not be available, which adds a bit more flexibility compared to some competing cards.
Scapia Airport Privileges: Airport Dining & Shopping Benefits
Scapia offers one of the most unique airport benefits among lifetime free credit cards in India. Instead of restricting users to traditional airport lounges, the card gives 100% value back in Scapia Coins on eligible airport dining and shopping spends.This feature is called Airport Privileges.
You can claim:
- Up to ₹1000 back per domestic trip
- Up to ₹2000 back per international trip
The benefit works across eligible airport restaurants, cafes, food outlets, and retail stores. This makes Scapia far more flexible than standard lounge access programs.
For example, you can:
- Eat at KFC, Starbucks, or other airport restaurants
- Buy toys from Hamleys for kids
- Shop for travel essentials before boarding
- Use the benefit during layovers or delayed flights – yes it works even for connecting airports
To unlock Airport Privileges, you need to spend ₹20,000 in a calendar month. Once eligible, simply:
- Open the Scapia app
- Go to the Airport Privileges section
- Upload your boarding pass
- Activate the offer before payment
- Swipe your card or pay via eligible UPI transactions
- Claim Scapia Coins instantly
One underrated advantage is that the feature works on both onward and return journeys. Frequent domestic travelers can effectively recover up to ₹2000 on a round trip simply through airport dining and shopping.
Unlike overcrowded airport lounges with waitlists, Scapia lets you use the benefit where you actually want to spend money. Among zero forex and travel credit cards in India, Scapia currently stands out because no other lifetime free card offers this level of airport spending flexibility.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Domestic Benefit | Up to ₹1000 back per trip |
| International Benefit | Up to ₹2000 back per trip |
| Reward Type | Scapia Coins |
| Eligibility Requirement | ₹20,000 monthly spend |
| Eligible Categories | Airport dining & shopping |
| Lounge Alternative | Yes |
| UPI Payments Supported | Yes |
| Redemption Method | Via Scapia app |
Pros and Cons of Scapia Credit Card
Pros
- Lifetime free card with no joining or annual fee
- 0% forex markup on international spends
- Domestic airport lounge access on meeting spend criteria
- Rewards on jewellery spends
- RuPay variant supports UPI transactions
- Airport Privileges feature offers rewards on airport dining and shopping
Cons
- Existing Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda cardholders are usually not eligible
- Rewards can only be redeemed through the Scapia app
- No international lounge access
- Fuel, rent, wallet loads, utilities and insurance do not earn rewards
- Lounge access requires ₹20,000 monthly spend
How to Apply for the Scapia Credit Card
- Download the Scapia app from the Play Store or App Store.
- Start the online application process inside the app.
- Complete the required verification steps and keep your PAN card ready.
- Finish the video KYC process to submit the application.
Once approved, the virtual card is usually available inside the app before the physical card is delivered.
Scapia vs Other Zero Forex Credit Cards
If your primary goal is saving on international transaction charges, Scapia is not the only option anymore. Cards like the AU Ixigo Credit Card, IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card and Niyo Global Credit Card also target travelers with low or zero forex markup.
If you are comparing Scapia with other popular travel cards, you can also read our detailed comparisons of Scapia vs AU Ixigo Credit Card, Scapia vs Kiwi RuPay Credit Card and Scapia vs BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card.
The biggest difference is that Scapia combines 0% forex markup with lounge access and travel rewards on a lifetime free card. Some competitors offer better international lounge benefits, while others work better for students or users with limited credit history.
| Feature | Scapia Credit Card | AU Ixigo Credit Card | IDFC FIRST WOW Credit Card | Niyo Global Credit Card |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Markup | 0% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Joining / Annual Fee | Lifetime Free | Lifetime Free | Lifetime Free | Lifetime Free |
| Domestic Lounge Access | Yes | Yes | Limited | No |
| International Lounge Access | No | Yes (limited) | No | No |
| Reward System | Scapia Coins | Reward points + travel benefits | Basic rewards | Minimal rewards |
| Best For | Frequent travelers | International travelers | Beginners building credit | Students & forex usage |
| Secured Card | No | No | Yes | FD-backed variants available |
| UPI Support | Yes (RuPay variant) | No | No | No |
Which One Should You Choose?
- Choose Scapia if you want a simple lifetime free travel card with lounge access and regular travel rewards.
- Choose AU Ixigo if international lounge access matters more to you.
- Choose IDFC FIRST WOW if you are new to credit cards or need a secured card against a fixed deposit.
- Choose Niyo Global mainly for forex spending and international payments rather than rewards.
For most users, Scapia still offers one of the better overall combinations of forex savings, domestic lounge access and travel-focused rewards without charging annual fees.
Final Verdict: Is the Scapia Credit Card Worth It?
Scapia remains one of the best lifetime free travel credit cards in India for international spending. The combination of 0% forex markup, lounge access and travel rewards makes it especially useful for people who travel a few times a year.
The biggest advantage of the Scapia Credit Card is its 0% forex markup. Most Indian credit cards charge around 3.5% forex fees plus GST on international transactions, which can significantly increase your overall travel expenses during overseas trips. I personally used Scapia extensively during my recent trips to Singapore and Dubai, and the card worked flawlessly across restaurants, shopping outlets, hotels, and transport payments. The exchange rates were very close to the standard Visa conversion rate, which helped save a substantial amount compared to regular credit cards charging forex fees.
Another strong feature is the domestic airport lounge access benefit. The spend requirement of ₹20,000 per month is still relatively reasonable for a lifetime free travel credit card in 2026. In my case, I already use the HDFC Infinia for unlimited lounge access, so the Airport Privileges feature on Scapia has actually been more useful. On almost every domestic trip, I have been able to claim the ₹1000 airport dining and shopping benefit through the Scapia app. Instead of sitting inside crowded lounges, I usually end up using the benefit at airport restaurants or retail stores, which feels far more flexible during frequent travel.
Rewards are straightforward as well. You earn Scapia Coins on regular spending, travel bookings and eligible UPI transactions on the RuPay version. The rewards system works best for travelers since coins can only be redeemed through the Scapia app for flights and hotels.
That said, the card is not ideal for everyone. Existing Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda cardholders are generally not eligible, and people looking for direct cashback may prefer alternatives like the SBI Cashback Credit Card or the Amazon Pay ICICI Credit Card.
Overall, Scapia is best suited for:
- frequent travelers
- international spenders
- users looking for a lifetime free forex card
- people comfortable redeeming rewards for travel
If your primary goal is saving on forex charges without paying annual fees, Scapia is still one of the strongest options available right now.
If you are still confused between Scapia and other travel-focused cards, check our detailed comparisons with the AU Ixigo Credit Card, Kiwi RuPay Credit Card and BOBCARD Eterna Credit Card.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Scapia Credit Card really lifetime free?
Yes. Scapia is offered as a lifetime free credit card with no joining fee or annual fee.
How do I unlock lounge access on Scapia?
You need to spend ₹20,000 in the previous billing cycle to unlock domestic airport lounge access for the following month. Rent, utilities, insurance and fuel spends are excluded.
Can existing Federal Bank or BOBCARD users apply for Scapia?
Usually no. Existing Federal Bank and BOBCARD credit card users are generally not eligible for Scapia because of issuer-level restrictions.
Where can Scapia Coins be redeemed?
Scapia Coins can be redeemed for flights and hotel bookings through the Scapia app at a value of 5 coins = ₹1.
Scapia Credit Card
Can it be used in Vietnam? What kind of forex rates can we expect compared to published rate? any forex conversion fee or any other fee to be expected
No extra charges. You just pay the standard Visa forex exchange rate which is really close to the market rate for that day.
Hi when they tell ”provided you meet the monthly spend requirement of ₹10,000 for Visa or ₹15,000 for RuPay.”
Does it mean there has to be a compulsory monthly spend of 10,000/15,000 on the card or we can just do 10,000/15,000 in the previous month of the travel and the airport lounge access is unlocked. Meaning I don’t have to spend 10,000 every month on the card to be eligible for the unlimited lounge access. As I have other card I may spend 10,000 on this card every month.
First one, spend only when you need the airport lounge access to be unlocked.
If I use the card in international section of Delhi airport for shopping or dining, will I still get cashback?
Is the outlet visible on Scapia app? If yes, then you should.
Does it give rewards for government payments like property tax?
No, it is excluded.
How much reward points for transactions less than Rs. 100?
For spends with Scapia Visa credit card, get rewards for transactions of ₹20 and above.
Does it really have a 2% reward rate? Or are the flights / hotels on scapia app overpriced?
Flights prices may be higher or lower too than other portals. It depends.
Will this card provide any fedral bank offers running on e-commerce website ( e.g cleartrip, flipkart, amazon etc)? Also, I am trying to apply for this credit card but I am getting following error message: “Sorry, we are facing a downtime with our partners” . Any workaround for this issue?
Nope, this is not eligible for any Federal Bank offers. That message is temporary due to maintenance, should go away when you try again.
Can this be used on international website for purchase with zero markup fees or not .
Yes as long as you pay in international currency.
are the exchange rates any good ? what if high spreads are there covering all fees!
Yes, the exchange rates are same/better as what you will get when buying USD in India.
Is it eligible for eCommerce 10% instant discount offer?
No, it does not work for Federal Bank offers.
Lounge access is available in which cities?
This is now updated in the article.