HSBC TravelOne vs Scapia Federal

Full side-by-side comparison based on verified card data. Updated April 2026.

Quick Verdict

Scapia Federal Credit Card wins 6 of 8 dimensions with a CardTrail Score of 8.7/10 vs 8.2/10.

Feature HSBC TravelOne Scapia Federal
CardTrail Score 8.2/10 8.7/10
Annual Fee ₹4,999 Free
Base Reward Rate 4% 10%
Max Reward Rate 4% 10%
Forex Markup 3.5% Zero
Domestic Lounges 6 -1
International Lounges 4 0
Fuel Surcharge Waiver No Yes
Network Mastercard Visa

When to Choose HSBC TravelOne

  • You can meet the fee waiver condition: Spend Rs 8L/year
  • Airport lounge access matters — 6 domestic visits
  • Your primary spend is: travel, airmiles, hotels

When to Choose Scapia Federal

  • You want a lifetime free card with zero annual cost
  • You travel internationally — saves ₹3,500/year on ₹1L forex spend
  • You want higher rewards — up to 10% vs 4%
  • Your primary spend is: forex, travel, beginner

Forex Cost Comparison

On ₹1,00,000 annual international spending: HSBC TravelOne costs ₹4,130 in forex fees vs Scapia Federal at ₹0. You save ₹4,130/year with Scapia Federal.

Annual Fee Value Analysis

To break even on HSBC TravelOne's ₹4,999 fee at 4% rewards, spend ₹10,415/month.

Scapia Federal is lifetime free — no break-even needed.