Best Credit Card: Heading abroad with your family? Take this credit card out of your wallet right now, or you might face trouble later..

If you are planning a trip abroad soon, double-check your wallet along with your packing list. You wouldn't want to set off on an international trip with India's domestic RuPay card only to face difficulties upon arrival. Visa and Mastercard remain the best and most reliable options for foreign travel.

Let’s look at how you should manage your cards for international travel and why it is wise to leave your RuPay card at home.

What should you carry, and what is the best approach?
Visa and Mastercard are the networks accepted outside India; RuPay cards are not valid internationally. Whether you are booking a hotel or paying a café bill, cards on the Visa and Mastercard networks are widely accepted.

Keep these points in mind:
Don't forget to enable international transactions: Before leaving home, activate 'International Transactions' for your cards via your mobile banking or net banking app.

Opt for a Forex Card: Get a Forex Travel Card from your bank. You can load foreign currency onto it in advance, protecting yourself from frequent exchange rate fluctuations.

Carry some cash: Do not rely solely on cards while abroad. Always keep some cash handy to cover minor expenses without hassle.

Why is it better to leave the RuPay card in India?
RuPay is primarily India's domestic network, and its reach outside the country is currently very limited. Most foreign merchants, hotels, restaurants, and ATMs do not accept RuPay cards, which could make payments difficult. Although some select RuPay cards have partnered with networks like Discover, Diners Club, or JCB to enable international usage, there is still a higher risk of acceptance issues.

How much cash can you carry? If you are carrying cash, keep in mind that there are specific limits (under customs rules) regarding the amount of foreign currency you can take out of and bring back into India. Therefore, make sure you are well-versed in the regulations before carrying cash; carrying an excessive amount could lead to its confiscation by customs authorities.

Disclaimer: This content has been sourced and edited from Dainik Jagran. While we have made modifications for clarity and presentation, the original content belongs to its respective authors and website. We do not claim ownership of the content.