Looking for a Zero Forex card with zero annual fees? The Scapia Credit Card now issued by both Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda delivers exactly that.
This fintech favorite has evolved. By partnering with two major banks, Scapia has expanded its reach while keeping the core promise intact: Lifetime Free (LTF) status with premium travel perks. Whether your card is issued by Federal or BoB, the benefits remain identical:
- Airport Dining/Shopping Credits: Get up to ₹1,000 value back at airport outlets on every trip.
- Zero Forex Markup: Save ~3.5% on every international swipe.
- Unlimited Domestic Lounges: Access lounges with a low ₹20,000 monthly spend.
If you are looking to upgrade your wallet, Scapia’s dual-banking partnership makes getting approved easier than ever.
Scapia Credit Card
A Lifetime Free travel card issued by Federal Bank & BoB. With Zero Forex Markup and Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access, it is the #1 no-fee choice for Indian travelers.
How to Apply for the Federal Bank Scapia Credit Card
Download App
Search for the Scapia App on your app store and download it to your mobile device.
Tap “Apply Now”
Open the app and start. The process is 100% digital and paperless; no branch visits required.
Prepare Documents
Keep these handy:
- PAN Card
Video KYC
After filling in details, complete a quick video KYC verification directly within the app.
Approval & Delivery
Approval typically takes 48–60 hours. Your Virtual Card activates instantly for online use. The physical card will arrive via courier in 2–5 business days.
Scapia Credit Card: Fees, Eligibility & Features (2026)
Scapia positions itself as a travel-centric credit card. Its biggest selling point is that it offers premium travel benefits (usually found on cards charging ₹3,000+ fees) for free. However, it does not offer cashback; instead, it offers “Scapia Coins” which are strictly for travel redemption.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
Joining / Annual Fee | ₹0 (Lifetime Free) |
Forex Markup | 0% (Zero) |
Check Eligibility Before Applying
Strictly for New-to-Bank customers. Existing Federal Bank or BoB cardholders will be rejected.
Kiwi RuPay Card
Lifetime FreeRewards on the Scapia Credit Card
The reward structure is simple but distinct. You earn “Scapia Coins” on every transaction.
- Base Rate: 10 Coins per ₹100 spent (Effective Value: 2%).
- Travel Rate: 20 Coins per ₹100 spent on Scapia App bookings (Effective Value: 4%).
The “Sweet Spot” (Insider Tip): Unlike many competitors, Scapia does not exclude Jewellery spends from its reward structure. If you have plans to buy gold, this card offers a flat 2% return, which is rare in the Lifetime Free category.
BoB Eterna
Lifetime FreeLimitations & Hidden Fees
How to Redeem Scapia Coins
Understanding the Coin Value Many users get confused by the coin system. Here is the simple math: 5 Coins = ₹1. The best part about Scapia is the redemption freedom. Most banks cap reward usage (e.g., you can only pay 50% of the ticket price with points). Scapia allows 100% redemption, meaning you can fly completely for free if you have enough coins.
Unlimited Domestic Airport Lounge Access
Combined monthly spend across your Visa and RuPay cards now unlocks unlimited lounge access for the next cycle.
Airport Privileges: 100% Value-Back at Airport Outlets
100% Value Back at Airports
Pros and Cons of Scapia Credit Card
- Lifetime free card (no joining or annual fee)
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- Unlimited domestic airport lounge access
- 100% value-back at domestic airport outlets
- Not eligible if you have a Federal Bank / BoB credit card
- Rewards only usable for travel via Scapia app
- No rewards on fuel, rent, wallet loads, & utilities
Final Verdict: Is the Scapia Credit Card Worth It?
The statement that Scapia offers a ₹3,000–₹5,000 value package for free is not marketing hype; it is mathematical fact. In the current Indian market, banks have aggressively “devalued” their cards, stripping away benefits or increasing fees. Scapia has gone the opposite direction.
Here is the deep dive into the four pillars that make this card a “Must-Have” for travelers.
1. Zero Forex Markup: The “Hidden” 4.13% Saving
Most credit cards in India (even premium ones) charge a 3.5% Forex Fee plus 18% GST on that fee when you swipe abroad or pay on international websites. This totals roughly 4.13% extra on every transaction.
- The Competitors: To get 0% Forex fees, you usually need super-premium cards (like Club Vistara Infinite or IDFC First Wealth) or you have to pay annual fees.
- The Scapia Advantage: Scapia charges 0% markup.
- Real World Math: If you spend ₹1 Lakh on an international trip (hotels, shopping, dining), a standard credit card would cost you ₹4,130 in fees. Scapia charges ₹0.
- Verdict: This feature alone validates the “₹3,000–₹5,000 annual value” claim.
2. Unlimited Lounge Access (The Low-Barrier Entry)
“Lifetime Free” cards usually offer zero lounge access, or a token 1 visit per quarter. “Unlimited” access is typically reserved for cards with fees of ₹10,000+ (like HDFC Infinia or DCB).
- The Scapia Twist: Scapia offers Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access.
- The “Catch”: There is a spend condition, but it is incredibly low. You must spend ₹20,000 in the previous billing cycle to unlock unlimited access for the current month.
3. A Flat 2% Reward Rate (Where Others Give 0.5%)
For a Lifetime Free card, a reward rate of 0.5% to 1% is the industry standard (e.g., Amazon Pay ICICI is 1% on general spend; HDFC Millennia is 1% on offline).
- The Scapia Rate: You earn 10 Scapia Coins for every ₹100 spent.
- The Value: 5 Scapia Coins = ₹1 (when redeemed for travel).
- Effective Return: This is a flat 2% return on almost all spends.
4. The Digital Experience & Redemption
Scapia forces you to redeem coins only against travel (flights/hotels) inside their app. While this sounds restrictive, it effectively turns your daily expenses into a “Travel Fund.”
Instant Redemption: No vouchers, no waiting. You slide a button at checkout to pay with points.
No Blackouts: Unlike airline miles which have limited seats, you can use Scapia coins to discount any flight or hotel available on the app.
Who Should Get the Scapia Credit Card?
- Frequent Flyers: The savings on forex and lounges alone make this a “must-have” secondary card.
- Gold Buyers: The unlimited 2% rewards on this category is a massive advantage.
- Gen Z/Millennials: The digital-first experience is seamless and superior to traditional banking apps.
Who Should Skip the Scapia Credit Card?
- Cashback Lovers: If you prefer cash in your bank account over travel vouchers, stick to the SBI Cashback or Amazon Pay ICICI card.
- Federal Bank Customers: If you already hold a Federal Bank credit card (like OneCard or Celesta), you are strictly ineligible.
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
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.