Best Forex Cards for Hong Kong: 6 Options for Travellers
Best Forex Cards for Hong Kong: 6 Options for Travellers
Planning a trip to Hong Kong? The city is a dream destination with its dazzling skyline, vibrant markets, and cultural heritage. The official currency is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD), which you'll need for most transactions during your visit. Carrying cash might seem convenient, but it has drawbacks such as high risk, fluctuating exchange rates, and limited security.
Planning a trip to Hong Kong? Simplify your journey by seamlessly securing your Hong Kong visa with Atlys and enjoy a hassle-free experience!
Enter Forex cards, the smarter alternative for international travellers. These prepaid cards allow you to load foreign currencies, including HKD, and enjoy secure, seamless transactions during your trip. A good Forex card eliminates worrying about cash or currency exchange fees, from shopping in Tsim Sha Tsui to dining in Causeway Bay.
This blog will help you select the best Forex card for your Hong Kong trip. We've analysed various options in India and curated a list of top Forex cards based on features, fees, and convenience.
What Are the Best Forex Cards for a Hong Kong Trip?
Here’s a list of the top 6 Forex cards you can consider for your Hong Kong adventure:
AtlysX Multi-Currency Card
Niyo Global Card
BookMyForex Forex Card
HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Card
Orient Exchange Forex Card
ICICI Bank Travel Card
AtlysX Multi-Currency Card
The AtlysX Multi-Currency Card is your ultimate travel companion, supporting 14 currencies with unbeatable benefits. Enjoy no issuance fee, making the card free with no upfront costs. Load funds at real exchange rates without any markup on your first load and spend freely in your trip's currency with zero base currency fees. Reload anytime instantly via the Atlys app, even while travelling. With several years of validity, the card is perfect for multiple trips without needing replacements. As India's only digital-first forex card, it eliminates the need for physical documents or branch visits, offering a hassle-free, entirely online experience.
Currencies Supported: Supports 14 currencies, including HKD.
Issuance Fee: Completely free for all Atlys customers.
Cross-Currency Charges: Spend in any supported currency without extra fees.
Markup: Enjoy zero markup on your first fund load; subsequent reloads incur a minimal 2% markup.
ATM Withdrawal: Withdraw up to $1,000 daily (or equivalent) from ATMs.
Validity: The card remains valid for 5 years, ideal for multiple trips.
Niyo Global Card
The Niyo Global Card is an excellent choice for tech-savvy travellers. It offers zero markup fees and integrates with an intuitive app for real-time expense tracking.
Currencies Supported: Manage expenses across 130+ currencies, simplifying financial management across diverse destinations.
Zero Issuance Fee: Opening an account and obtaining the Niyo Global Card are free. However, an initial funding of ₹5,000 is required to initiate the card order, which can be used after placing the order.
Markup: No markup fees.
High Spending Limits: Benefit from generous transaction limits, including up to ₹7.5 lakhs per transaction for card swipes and online transactions, accommodating substantial purchases during your travels.
ATM Withdrawal Access: Withdraw cash from ATMs worldwide with a limit of ₹1 lakh per transaction. Please note that a fee of ₹100 + GST applies per international ATM withdrawal, in addition to any charges levied by the ATM provider.
Extended Validity: The card remains valid for 5 years, making it a durable companion for multiple trips without frequent replacements.
BookMyForex Forex Card
The BookMyForex Forex Card combines competitive exchange rates with the convenience of reloading anytime. It is ideal for frequent travellers.
Currencies Supported: 14+ currencies, including HKD.
Zero Issuance Fee: You can obtain the card without any issuance, reload, unload, or annual charges, making it a lifetime-free card.
Zero Forex Markup: Load foreign currency at exact interbank rates with no markups, ensuring competitive exchange rates for your transactions.
Global Acceptance: The card is accepted in over 150 countries at millions of merchants, online stores, and ATMs, providing flexibility and convenience during travel.
Security Features: You can benefit from chip and PIN protection, along with free insurance coverage, which enhances the safety of your funds.
HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Card
HDFC’s Multicurrency ForexPlus Card is a popular choice for secure transactions abroad. It locks in exchange rates when loading, protecting you from currency fluctuations.
Currencies Supported: You can load up to 22 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CAD, SGD, AED, JPY, and more.
Issuance Fee: ₹500 plus GST at the time of issuance.
ATM Withdrawals: Cash withdrawal fee of approximately $2 (or equivalent) per transaction; daily withdrawal limit up to USD 5,000 or equivalent.
Markup Fee: There is no markup fee for transactions in the loaded currency; a 2% cross-currency markup applies to other currencies.
Reload Fee: ₹75 plus GST per reload.
Exchange Rate: Transactions are processed at the Visa/MasterCard wholesale exchange rate prevailing at the time of the transaction.
Orient Exchange Forex Card
The Orient Exchange Forex Card offers flexibility and competitive pricing for travellers heading to Hong Kong.
Currencies Supported: Load up to 14 currencies, including HKD.
Issuance Fee: Zero issuance charges, making it a cost-effective choice for travellers.
ATM Withdrawals: You can withdraw foreign currency from ATMs abroad with minimal charges, providing easy access to cash when needed.
Markup Fee: Zero markup fee on foreign exchange transactions, allowing you to load foreign currency at interbank rates without additional costs.
Reload Fee: No reloading charges; you can reload the card remotely at interbank rates without any fees.
Exchange Rate: Load foreign currency at interbank rates, ensuring competitive and transparent exchange rates for your transactions.
ICICI Bank Travel Card
ICICI Bank’s Travel Card offers competitive rates and easy reloading options, making it traveler-friendly.
Currencies Supported: You can load up to 15 currencies, including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, and more.
Issuance Fee: ₹499–₹2,999 plus GST, depending on the card variant.
ATM Withdrawals: $2 (or equivalent) per transaction; daily limit up to $2,000.
Markup Fee: Zero for loaded currencies; 3.5% plus GST for others.
Reload Fee: Nominal fee based on the card and bank policy.
Exchange Rate: Competitive bank-determined rates during loading or reloading.
How Do You Choose the Best Forex Card in India for a Hong Kong Trip?
When selecting a forex card for Hong Kong, consider the following factors:
Currency Support: Ensure HKD is supported to avoid conversion fees.
Exchange Rate: Look for locked-in rates at the time of loading.
ATM Withdrawal Fees: Check withdrawal fees for HKD.
Reload Flexibility: Choose a card that allows quick reloading online.
Security Features: Opt for a card with fraud protection and emergency assistance.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Forex Card in Hong Kong?
Cost-Effective: Lower transaction fees compared to credit or debit cards.
Exchange Rate Lock-In: Protects against currency fluctuations.
Convenience: Accepted at most merchants and ATMs in Hong Kong.
Safety: Reduces the risk of carrying large amounts of cash.
Multi-Currency Use: Ideal for trips involving multiple destinations.
Conclusion
The AtlysX Multi-Currency Card is the top recommendation for your Hong Kong trip, thanks to its wide currency support, zero withdrawal charges, and exceptional customer service. Other options, like the Niyo Global Card and the HDFC Multicurrency ForexPlus Card, also provide excellent value.
Can I use a Forex card to access public transport in Hong Kong?
Yes, you can use the card where contactless payments are accepted.
Do Forex cards support multiple currencies?
Yes, cards like HDFC Multicurrency ForexPlus support over 20 currencies.
Can I use the Forex card after my trip?
Yes, the remaining balance can be used or converted to INR.
What happens if my Forex card is lost in Hong Kong?
Cards like AtlysX and Niyo offer 24/7 support for blocking and replacing the card.
Which Forex card has zero markup fees?
The Niyo Global Card offers zero markup fees for foreign currency transactions.