Exchanging currency for an international trip sounds simple until you realise how much extra you’re actually paying. The worst part? These costs are often hidden within the rate you’re offered, making it difficult to identify the actual rate. The good news is that avoiding these hidden forex charges is easier than you think if you know what to look for. In this guide, we will break down where these fees come from, how to avoid them, and how smarter platforms like ExTravelMoney help you get transparent rates from RBI-authorised dealers without last-minute surprises.
Also Read: Step-By-Step Guide to Loading and Unloading Multi-Currency Cards
What are the Hidden Fees in Currency Exchange
1. Markup Fees
The average exchange rate, called the interbank or mid-market rate, is the exchange rate you find on Google. It is the exchange rate at which banks buy and sell foreign currencies with each other.
But most of the forex service providers and banks charge a higher exchange rate to obtain a profit margin. Even a small markup of ₹1–₹2 per dollar can mean thousands of rupees lost on larger exchanges.
2. Service/Commission Charges
Some banks and money changers add flat service fees or percentage-based commissions. Others advertise “0% commission” but compensate by charging a high markup.
Most Common Places Where Travellers Lose Money
1. Airport Forex Counters
Airports accommodate reputable currency exchange kiosks, but they charge higher rates. These forex counters are set up at airports at high real estate prices, so they do so to manage expenses. Since there is low competition and travellers need emergency currency exchange, they exploit the situation.
2. ATMs Abroad
Foreign ATMs charge a withdrawal fee per withdrawal. Moreover, if you are withdrawing foreign currency from your debit or credit card, you shall face a high markup and transaction fees.
3. International Debit/Credit Card Swipes
Most Indian travellers love spending on their credit or debit card while travelling overseas instead of purchasing currency, but they are unaware of the charges that accompany each swipe and tap.
The card service providers usually charge a high markup. As the Indian currency on your card is transacted in a foreign currency, the card service providers charge a markup based on the then-current exchange rate, which fluctuates and can be unpredictable.
But, now if you think that it would be better to pay in Indian currency, you will have to pay the DCC (Dynamic Currency Conversion) fees. DCC is applicable for forex cards too.
How to Avoid Hidden Forex Fees
1. Use a Forex Card
Forex cards are prepaid travel cards that allow you to load the desired amount of foreign currencies and lock in the exchange rate. These cards typically offer better exchange rates compared to buying foreign currency in cash.
Once you arrive at your destination, you can use the Forex card at POS machines and ATMs. The only fee associated with a Forex card is the ATM withdrawal fee, which is charged per withdrawal. Therefore, it’s advisable to minimise the number of withdrawals and maximise the amount withdrawn each time.
Forex cards come with several benefits, such as discounts, coupons, and airport lounge access, similar to debit or credit cards. However, unlike them, forex cards do not have unfavourable exchange rates or currency conversion fees.
It is safe to carry in tourist destinations that are usually prone to pick-pocketing as the card is chip and PIN protected. You can block the card immediately if it is lost and use a spare forex card.
2. Avoid Currency Exchange at Airports
Currency exchange kiosks at Indian and foreign international airports charge excessively high exchange rates, which can be 5 to 7 times higher than those offered by local money changers.
3. Book Forex Well Before Your Travel Date
Exchange rates can be unpredictable and may vary due to various global factors. So it is best to purchase your forex card and currency one week, or at least three days, before your trip. During this period, you can monitor the rate fluctuations and buy when rates dip.
4. Check for Additional Fees
Always read the fine print and analyse the final price breakdown to skip surprise charges.
5. Check the Interbank Rate
By checking the interbank rate, you can understand whether the markup charged by the forex service provider is reasonable or not.
6. Exchange Currency Before Your Travel
Currency exchange centres abroad typically do not accept Indian Rupees. Even when they do, as INR is not a global currency, the exchange rates are often unfavourable.
When exotic foreign currencies are unavailable in India or come with a high premium, it’s better to buy US Dollars or Euros. These widely accepted currencies can be easily exchanged for local currency at your destination, often at favourable rates.
7. Compare Exchange Rates
Instead of walking into a single counter blindly, compare different money changers and banks to analyse the exchange rates, charges, location, and speed of exchange.
Evaluating all these factors for each forex service provider in the Indian forex market can be time-consuming and mentally draining.
Introducing ExTravelMoney, an online forex aggregator that simplifies this process through our extensive partnerships across India. By assessing and comparing each factor, ExTravelMoney helps you find the best money changer near you, ensuring a streamlined experience and the best value for your money.
Here is how ExTravelMoney can help you find the best exchange rate with minimum charges:
- RBI Authorised Stores: All stores on ExTravelMoney are RBI-approved AD II and FFMC money changers, guaranteeing genuine currency and secure transactions. Our top partners include Thomas Cook, BFC Forex, and Muthoot Fincorp.
- Competitive Exchange Rates: Being an online Forex marketplace, every exchange house partnered with us competes to offer the best rates. As a result, you receive the most favourable exchange rates available in the market.
- Zero Hidden Charges: We offer transparent pricing with no additional service fees beyond the standard markup, ensuring that the price you see is the price you pay.
Hidden forex fees can quietly inflate your travel costs, but with the right approach, they’re easy to avoid. Instead of guessing where to exchange, use ExTravelMoney to compare rates from RBI-authorised dealers, lock your price online, and exchange currency without last-minute surprises and get it delivered at your doorstep.
Also Read: Travellers’ Hacks and Best Places to Do Duty-Free Shopping
Ann Mariya Job is the Associate Content Writer at ExTravelMoney.com. Holding a Bachelor’s in Journalism, she excels in creating deeply researched, engaging, and crisp content. Her work helps readers understand the complexities of foreign exchange, overseas money transfers, and international travel.