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Forex & prepaid travel card comparison

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card vs Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Compare SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card and Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card using the controlling cost, balance, rate, tenure, liquidity, limits, eligibility and current first-party bank evidence for this product type.

Forex & prepaid travel card comparison

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card vs Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Compare the two source-backed records without collapsing unlike conditions into a winner score.

Latest underlying reviewSeptember 10, 2026
State Bank of IndiaSBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

Travellers who want an SBI prepaid travel balance with up to nine Visa currency wallets, branch/Internet-banking issuance support and YONO/OneView card controls rather than spending directly from a domestic bank account.

Cost / pricing
Current SBI page lists ₹100 + GST issuance, ₹50 + GST per reload, ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out and 3% + GST cross-currency usage. ATM withdrawal is USD 1.75 or equivalent per transaction; foreign ATM-owner charges can still apply.
Reviewed
September 10, 2026
Evidence
2 bank sources
Open product research
Axis BankAxis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Multi-country travellers wanting a 16-currency Axis prepaid card with locked load-time currency balances, digital reload/control options and emergency travel support.

Cost / pricing
Current Axis sources consistently show ₹100 + GST reload/renewal and USD 2 overseas ATM cash withdrawal / USD 0.50 balance enquiry, but two current first-party fee artifacts conflict on issuance: ₹300 + GST in the current brochure versus ₹150 + GST in the fee sheet. Cross-currency use is listed at 3.5% in the fee sheet.
Reviewed
September 10, 2026
Evidence
4 bank sources
Open product research
Compare like with likeThese records share the same product type.
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bankingreference.info · Comparison research sheet

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card vs Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Prepared 14 Sep 2026 · Source page: https://bankingreference.info/compare-banking/sbi-state-bank-foreign-travel-card-vs-axis-multi-currency-forex-card/

General product research only. Recheck the listed first-party sources before acting because product terms can change after the recorded review dates.

Decision checkpoints

Answer the questions that can actually change the choice.

Each checkpoint reproduces the recorded product fields instead of assigning a winner. Read the condition, scope and missing-data state before treating a difference as useful to you.

01Do the currency wallets and loading route fit your trip?Check wallet coverage and load/reload conditions for the named prepaid card.

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

Currencies / wallet format
Current SBI page lists Visa Multicurrency SBFTC with 9 wallets: USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CAD, AUD, SAR, SGD and AED; Visa single-currency is listed in 8 currencies and Mastercard multicurrency in 7. Exact issued variant controls.
Load / reload
Loaded/reloaded in INR and converted to selected foreign-currency wallet(s). SBI publishes branch plus YONO/YONO Lite/Internet Banking reload/management routes. Current reload fee: ₹50 + GST.

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Currencies / wallet format
16 wallets: USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, CAD, SEK, JPY, CHF, AED, SAR, THB, HKD, NZD, ZAR and DKK.
Load / reload
Initial load is handled through Axis/authorized issuance channels. Axis savings customers can reload via Internet Banking/Axis Mobile; non-account customers can reload through branch/family-authorisation routes. Current reload/renewal fee source: ₹100 + GST.
02Which conversion rules apply to the payment currency?Distinguish the loaded rate, cross-currency use and wallet conversion without deriving a combined cost.

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

Exchange rate
The load/reload conversion uses SBI's applicable forex/card rate at the time of conversion. Preloading fixes the acquired wallet balance; a later cross-currency transaction can invoke network conversion plus the published cross-currency fee.
Cross-currency
SBI currently publishes a 3% of transaction amount + GST cross-currency charge when the transaction cannot be settled directly from the matching currency wallet.
Wallet conversion
Multicurrency cards can hold several separate currency balances. When a matching wallet is unavailable/insufficient, applicable card/network conversion rules and cross-currency charges govern; wallet priority depends on the issued variant.

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Exchange rate
The wallet balance is acquired at Axis's applicable forex/card rate on load/reload, protecting that loaded balance from later INR movement. Non-wallet transaction conversion uses current network/card conversion mechanics plus applicable cross-currency charge.
Cross-currency
Current fee sheet lists 3.50% cross-currency usage. Axis's usage guide applies cross-currency conversion when transaction currency is unavailable/insufficient in the appropriate wallet.
Wallet conversion
Multiple wallets coexist on one card. If the transaction currency wallet is unavailable/insufficient, Axis/network wallet-order conversion can apply; cumulative wallet handling and authorization order follow current card terms.
03What fees and closure conditions remain?Check service fees and unused-balance refund or closure treatment.

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

Fees
₹100 + GST issuance; ₹50 + GST reload; ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out; ₹100 + GST add-on card (up to 2 where allowed). Transaction-specific ATM/cross-currency charges remain separate.
Refund / closure
Current SBI page lists ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out per request. Refund remains subject to applicable conversion, documentation and card terms.

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Fees
Current first-party conflict: brochure shows ₹300 + GST issuance; fee sheet shows ₹150 + GST initial sale. Reload/renewal ₹100 + GST appears in reviewed sources. USD 2 ATM withdrawal and 3.5% cross-currency are separately scoped.
Refund / closure
Reviewed fee sheet lists ₹100 + GST encashment charges; residual balance converts at Axis's applicable card rate.
Other maintained comparisons for SBI State Bank Foreign Travel CardOther maintained comparisons for Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Exact terms

Put the controlling banking fields side by side.

The stored field wording is preserved. Product-type-specific evidence follows this generic comparison where deeper structured research exists.

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Banking product terms side by side for SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card and Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Decision factorSBI State Bank Foreign Travel CardAxis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Issuance / reload / travel-card costsCurrent SBI page lists ₹100 + GST issuance, ₹50 + GST per reload, ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out and 3% + GST cross-currency usage. ATM withdrawal is USD 1.75 or equivalent per transaction; foreign ATM-owner charges can still apply.Current Axis sources consistently show ₹100 + GST reload/renewal and USD 2 overseas ATM cash withdrawal / USD 0.50 balance enquiry, but two current first-party fee artifacts conflict on issuance: ₹300 + GST in the current brochure versus ₹150 + GST in the fee sheet. Cross-currency use is listed at 3.5% in the fee sheet.
Loaded currency walletsPrepaid foreign-currency balance loaded in INR and converted into the selected card wallet(s). Current Visa multicurrency structure supports up to nine currencies; the card is separate from the customer's ordinary deposit-account balance.Up to 16 separate foreign-currency wallets on one prepaid card; an Axis savings account is not required to buy the card, although it enables Internet Banking/Axis Mobile reload and balance-management routes.
Forex-card capabilitiesVisa multicurrency and single-currency variants, international ATM/POS/e-commerce use, SMS/e-mail alerts, YONO/YONO Lite/Internet Banking/OneView management, PIN/limit controls, blocking and reload capability.16 currencies, global merchant/ATM use, locked-in load rates, Internet/Mobile balance/reload for Axis customers, temporary block/unblock, transaction alerts, replacement/emergency cash assistance and TripAssist.
ATM / load / usage limitsCurrent SBI page lists daily card limits of 3 ATM withdrawals / USD 3,000 equivalent, 20 POS transactions / USD 10,000 equivalent and 20 e-commerce transactions / USD 10,000 equivalent, subject to card settings and regulatory/acquirer restrictions.Axis's current usage guide publishes wallet-specific ATM/POS ceilings and states card reloads remain subject to FEMA/RBI limits. The exact limit table and customer/card settings control rather than one universal USD amount.
Traveller / KYC eligibilityIndian residents travelling abroad other than Nepal/Bhutan, qualifying corporate employees and students, plus other eligible customers subject to KYC, passport/travel documentation and FEMA purpose rules.Can be purchased by eligible travellers without an Axis account at Axis branches/authorized channels, subject to passport, ticket, PAN/Form 60 and other KYC/FEMA documentation.
Prepaid card / funding / regulatory relationshipCan be obtained through SBI under the prepaid/forex-card relationship; it is not an SBI debit card and does not draw directly from the linked savings/current-account balance at purchase time.Standalone prepaid forex card; Axis savings relationship is optional for purchase but enables digital reload/management. It is not the same product as an Axis international debit card.
Forex-card detail

Compare wallets, loading and overseas-use economics.

These fields come from each product's type-specific structured research, so service comparisons are not reduced to the same six generic rows.

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Type-specific banking comparison terms for SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card and Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Decision factorSBI State Bank Foreign Travel CardAxis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Currencies / wallet formatCurrent SBI page lists Visa Multicurrency SBFTC with 9 wallets: USD, GBP, EUR, JPY, CAD, AUD, SAR, SGD and AED; Visa single-currency is listed in 8 currencies and Mastercard multicurrency in 7. Exact issued variant controls.16 wallets: USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, AUD, CAD, SEK, JPY, CHF, AED, SAR, THB, HKD, NZD, ZAR and DKK.
Purchase eligibilityIndian residents travelling abroad (excluding Nepal/Bhutan), eligible corporate travellers and students, subject to passport/PAN/travel proof, KYC and FEMA purpose documentation. Internet-banking application still requires branch processing/issuance.No Axis account is required to purchase. Eligible travellers can buy at an Axis branch/authorized outlet subject to passport/travel/PAN or Form 60 and FEMA/KYC documentation.
Load / reloadLoaded/reloaded in INR and converted to selected foreign-currency wallet(s). SBI publishes branch plus YONO/YONO Lite/Internet Banking reload/management routes. Current reload fee: ₹50 + GST.Initial load is handled through Axis/authorized issuance channels. Axis savings customers can reload via Internet Banking/Axis Mobile; non-account customers can reload through branch/family-authorisation routes. Current reload/renewal fee source: ₹100 + GST.
Exchange rateThe load/reload conversion uses SBI's applicable forex/card rate at the time of conversion. Preloading fixes the acquired wallet balance; a later cross-currency transaction can invoke network conversion plus the published cross-currency fee.The wallet balance is acquired at Axis's applicable forex/card rate on load/reload, protecting that loaded balance from later INR movement. Non-wallet transaction conversion uses current network/card conversion mechanics plus applicable cross-currency charge.
ATM cashCurrent SBI page: USD 1.75 or equivalent per ATM withdrawal; daily ATM card limit USD 3,000 equivalent across up to 3 withdrawals. Overseas ATM owner fees/limits can be additional.Reviewed current product material states nominal USD 2 overseas ATM withdrawal; current fee sheet also lists USD 0.50 balance enquiry. Foreign ATM owner fees/limits can be additional.
POS / e-commerceCurrent page permits international POS and e-commerce. Daily reference limits are USD 10,000 equivalent for POS and USD 10,000 equivalent for e-commerce, each up to 20 transactions, subject to settings/regulatory updates.Merchant swipe/POS transactions in the loaded currency are advertised without a separate transaction fee. Online/global merchant use depends on network/card controls and merchant acceptance.
Cross-currencySBI currently publishes a 3% of transaction amount + GST cross-currency charge when the transaction cannot be settled directly from the matching currency wallet.Current fee sheet lists 3.50% cross-currency usage. Axis's usage guide applies cross-currency conversion when transaction currency is unavailable/insufficient in the appropriate wallet.
Wallet conversionMulticurrency cards can hold several separate currency balances. When a matching wallet is unavailable/insufficient, applicable card/network conversion rules and cross-currency charges govern; wallet priority depends on the issued variant.Multiple wallets coexist on one card. If the transaction currency wallet is unavailable/insufficient, Axis/network wallet-order conversion can apply; cumulative wallet handling and authorization order follow current card terms.
Fees₹100 + GST issuance; ₹50 + GST reload; ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out; ₹100 + GST add-on card (up to 2 where allowed). Transaction-specific ATM/cross-currency charges remain separate.Current first-party conflict: brochure shows ₹300 + GST issuance; fee sheet shows ₹150 + GST initial sale. Reload/renewal ₹100 + GST appears in reviewed sources. USD 2 ATM withdrawal and 3.5% cross-currency are separately scoped.
Refund / closureCurrent SBI page lists ₹100 + GST refund/cash-out per request. Refund remains subject to applicable conversion, documentation and card terms.Reviewed fee sheet lists ₹100 + GST encashment charges; residual balance converts at Axis's applicable card rate.
Replacement / emergencyCard can be blocked through OneView/YONO-linked controls and SBI's prepaid support. Add-on/replacement treatment depends on exact variant; do not reuse legacy Mastercard replacement terms for Visa without confirmation.TripAssist offers blocking, replacement-card and emergency-cash assistance. Reviewed fee sheet lists USD 3 replacement card fee excluding postage/handling; emergency support terms remain service-specific.
Wrong-fit risks

Keep each product’s cautions beside the product.

A useful comparison shows what can make either option unsuitable instead of averaging those conditions into a score.

State Bank of India

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

  • Use the loaded transaction currency where possible; SBI currently applies a 3% + GST cross-currency charge when another wallet/network conversion is required.
  • Current SBI material distinguishes Visa multicurrency/single-currency and Mastercard multicurrency variants; currency counts and availability should be matched to the exact card issued.
  • ATM operators can impose their own surcharge or withdrawal limit in addition to SBI's card fee/limit.
Axis Bank

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

  • Axis currently exposes conflicting first-party issuance fees—₹300 + GST in its brochure versus ₹150 + GST in a fee sheet—so the engine flags issuance price for live confirmation rather than silently choosing one.
  • Cross-currency use is 3.5% in the reviewed fee sheet; transactions in a non-loaded currency or with insufficient matching-wallet balance can also involve network conversion.
  • Overseas ATM operators can add their own fee and limits beyond Axis's USD 2 withdrawal charge.
Research tools

Continue from the pair into exact product-level research.

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Independent source state

Verify each product from its own bank evidence.

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MethodologyResearch statusMore banking comparisons

First-party source appendix

These are the exact source URLs already attached to the two research records. Re-open the controlling documents before relying on a fee, rate, limit, eligibility rule or benefit.

SBI State Bank Foreign Travel Card

Reviewed September 10, 2026 · 2 attached first-party sources

  1. Issuer product pagehttps://sbi.bank.in/web/personal-banking/state-bank-foreign-travel-card
  2. Issuer product pagehttps://prepaid.sbi.bank.in/

Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card

Reviewed September 10, 2026 · 4 attached first-party sources

  1. Issuer product pagehttps://www.axisbank.com/forexcard/index.aspx
  2. Issuer documenthttps://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/multi-currency-v6.pdf?sfvrsn=2
  3. Fee / charge schedulehttps://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/travel-currency-card-fees-charges.pdf?sfvrsn=0
  4. Issuer documenthttps://www.axisbank.com/docs/default-source/download-document/personal/forex/multicurrencyforexcard_usageguide.pdf