Scapia Credit Card Review: Is It Worth It for Travel?

Bottom Line: The Scapia Credit Card is the strongest lifetime-free travel card in India right now. Zero forex markup, unlimited domestic lounge access, and 20% back as Scapia Coins on travel bookings — all with no annual fee, ever. If you travel even twice a year, this card should be in your wallet.

What Is the Scapia Credit Card?

Scapia is a fintech-first credit card issued in partnership with Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda. It’s designed specifically for Indian travellers who are tired of paying forex markups, annual fees, and getting lounge access that expires after four visits.

The card launched with a single promise: make travel cheaper without charging you for the privilege. No joining fee. No annual fee. No forex markup. That’s rare in a market where most “travel cards” charge ₹1,500–₹10,000 per year before you see any benefit.

Key Features at a Glance

Zero Forex Markup

Every international transaction — whether it’s a hotel in Bali, a Grab ride in Bangkok, or a Spotify subscription billed in USD — comes with 0% forex markup. Most Indian credit cards charge 1.5%–3.5% on foreign currency transactions. On a ₹2,00,000 international trip, that’s ₹3,000–₹7,000 saved instantly.

Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access

No quarterly caps, no “complimentary up to 4 visits” fine print. Scapia gives you unlimited domestic airport lounge access across India. Walk into any partner lounge at Delhi T3, Mumbai T2, Bengaluru, Hyderabad — and you’re in. Every time.

20% Back on Travel Bookings

Book flights, hotels, and experiences through the Scapia app and earn 20% back as Scapia Coins. These coins can be redeemed on future bookings. The catch? You have to book through their app — not MakeMyTrip, not Cleartrip, not directly with the airline. But if you’re flexible, the savings are genuine.

Lifetime Free — Actually Free

No joining fee. No annual fee. No spend-based waiver where you need to hit ₹2,00,000 in spends to avoid a charge. It’s free. Period. This alone puts it ahead of most travel cards in India that gate their best perks behind hefty fees.

Dual Card Setup

Scapia issues cards on both Federal Bank and Bank of Baroda networks. You can hold one from each issuer simultaneously, effectively doubling your credit limit and lounge access. Few fintechs offer this kind of flexibility.

How Does Scapia Compare to Other Travel Cards?

Here’s how Scapia stacks up against popular travel cards Indian travellers actually consider:

Feature	Scapia (Federal/BoB)	HDFC Infinia	Axis Atlas	Niyo Global
Annual Fee	₹0 (lifetime free)	₹12,500 + GST	₹5,000 + GST	₹0
Forex Markup	0%	2%	2%	0%
Domestic Lounge	Unlimited	Unlimited	8/year	None
International Lounge	Not included	Unlimited (Priority Pass)	2/year	None
Travel Rewards	20% Scapia Coins via app	3.3% on travel (10X)	5 Edge Miles/₹200	0%
Best For	Budget-conscious frequent travellers	Ultra-premium spenders (₹10L+/yr)	Miles collectors	International spending only

The takeaway: If you want zero cost of ownership and genuine travel savings, Scapia wins. If you need international lounge access or premium concierge services, you’ll need a paid card like HDFC Infinia — but you’ll also need ₹10+ lakh annual income and massive spends to qualify.

Who Should Get This Card?

Ideal For

Frequent domestic flyers who use lounges at Indian airports regularly
International travellers who want to eliminate forex markup (even 2-3 trips a year makes this worthwhile)
Young professionals and first-time travellers who can’t justify ₹5,000+ annual fees
Anyone with an existing premium card who wants a zero-cost companion card for international spends

Skip It If

You need international lounge access (Priority Pass) — Scapia doesn’t include it
You want high reward rates on everyday spends like groceries or fuel — Scapia’s non-travel rewards are modest (1% Scapia Coins)
You prefer booking through OTAs like MakeMyTrip — Scapia’s 20% reward is locked to their own app

The Fine Print Worth Knowing

Credit limit: Scapia tends to start conservatively (₹50,000–₹2,00,000). Don’t expect a ₹5 lakh limit on day one. Limits grow with usage.
Interest rate: 3.5% per month (42% annualised) on revolving credit. Never carry a balance — this applies to every credit card, not just Scapia.
Reward redemption: Scapia Coins expire after 12 months. Use them or lose them.
International lounges: Not included as of March 2026. Scapia has hinted at adding this, but nothing confirmed.
Eligibility: Minimum age 21, Indian resident, decent credit score (700+). Approval is typically fast — most users report getting approved within 48 hours through the app.

The Verdict

Scapia isn’t trying to be the Amex Centurion of India. It’s trying to be the smartest no-fee travel card — and it succeeds. For a card that costs you literally nothing, the combination of zero forex, unlimited lounges, and app-based travel rewards is hard to beat.

Pair it with a cashback card for daily spends (like the Axis Flipkart or HDFC Millennia), and you’ve got a solid two-card strategy that covers both travel and everyday spending without paying a single rupee in fees.

Best Travel Credit Cards in India — our full ranking of travel cards across all price points
Credit Card Comparison Tool — side-by-side comparison of 180+ cards across 24 Indian banks
RBI Rules Every Cardholder Should Know — forex limits, billing disputes, and your rights as a cardholder

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Scapia Credit Card really lifetime free?

Yes. There is no joining fee, no annual fee, and no minimum spend requirement to keep it free. Unlike cards that offer “first year free” or “waiver on ₹2L spend,” Scapia is unconditionally free for life.

Does Scapia charge forex markup on international transactions?

No. Scapia charges 0% forex markup on all foreign currency transactions. You pay only the exchange rate set by Visa’s network — no additional bank surcharge. This saves 1.5%–3.5% compared to most Indian credit cards.

Can I use Scapia for international airport lounges?

As of March 2026, Scapia offers domestic lounge access only. International lounge access (Priority Pass or equivalent) is not included. For international lounges, consider pairing Scapia with a card like HDFC Infinia or Axis Atlas.

How does the 20% Scapia Coins reward work?

When you book flights, hotels, or experiences through the Scapia app, you earn 20% back as Scapia Coins. These coins can be redeemed on future bookings within the app. Note: bookings through third-party platforms like MakeMyTrip don’t qualify for the 20% rate.

What is the credit limit on the Scapia Credit Card?

Scapia typically starts with a conservative limit (₹50,000–₹2,00,000) based on your credit profile. Limits increase over time with consistent usage and timely repayment. You can also request a limit increase through the app after 6 months.

Scapia Federal vs Scapia BoB — what’s the difference?

Both cards offer identical features — zero forex, unlimited lounges, and Scapia Coins. The difference is the issuing bank (Federal Bank vs Bank of Baroda). You can hold both simultaneously, effectively doubling your available credit and maintaining separate billing cycles.