Verified 6 Aug
Balakrishna Lakra
Asked 7 Apr 2026
Forex markup comparison: Amex = 3.5%, HDFC Infinia/Diners Black = 2.0%, Axis Atlas = 3.5% but with milestone fee waivers, ICICI Emeralde = 3.5%, Standard Chartered = 3.5%. If you travel more than twice a year, the math favours Infinia or Diners Black.
I have had a hard time getting this card approved twice. The third time I applied after a 10% salary hike and got instant approval. Banks re-check eligibility every time. If you got rejected, improve your income proof / CIBIL and reapply after 6 months.
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The card network matters more than the bank for acceptance and forex. Here's how each one stacks up in India.
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Every swipe moves money across multiple rails. The network's fee is small per transaction but massive in aggregate.
glossary
A Mastercard premium tier card.
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A Mastercard basic card.
I just made a big purchase on my Kotak Mahindra credit card. What is the exact process to convert it into EMI? Are there any processing fees?
Don't blindly apply based on YouTube recommendations. Pull your latest CIBIL score first — most premium cards need 760+. If your score is in the 700-750 range, start with a lifetime free card and upgrade after 12-18 months of clean history.
