RBL Bank’s World Safari Credit Card is one of India’s most compelling travel cards. Its standout feature is a 0% foreign exchange markup, making it particularly attractive for frequent international travelers. Unlike many of RBL’s other cards, which offer modest rewards, the World Safari positions the bank in the premium travel segment.
This review covers the card’s fees, rewards, travel benefits and whether it’s a suitable choice for your needs.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Fees
- 0% Markup Fee
- Rewards
- Milestone Benefits
- Airport Lounge Access
- Golf benefit
- Travel insurance
- Should you get it?
- Bottomline
Overview
| Type | Travel Credit Card |
| Reward Rate | 0.5% – 2.5% |
| Best for | International & travel spends |
| USP | 0% forex markup & international travel insurance |
RBL markets the World Safari as the first retail travel card in India to offer 0% forex markup. While other invite-only premium cards have offered similar benefits, this product brings that feature to the broader retail market and pairs it with travel-focused perks.
Fees
| Joining Fee | 3,000 INR + GST |
| Welcome Benefit | 3,000 INR MakeMyTrip voucher |
| Renewal/Annual Fee | 3,000 INR + GST |
| Renewal Benefit | Nil |
| Renewal Fee waiver | Nil (possible on request) |
- MMT voucher can be used for flights and hotels online, and on holidays offline.
The joining fee is effectively offset by the MakeMyTrip voucher, though renewal does not automatically include a similar benefit. In some cases, retention offers or waivers may be provided on request based on your profile and spending.
*** Best Credit Card with 0% Forex Markup ***
0% Markup Fee
- 0% forex markup charges (note: international transactions do not earn reward points)
The zero markup on foreign currency transactions is the card’s primary selling point. It uses the Mastercard network, which typically provides competitive conversion rates. However, international spends do not earn reward points, although milestone benefits remain applicable.
Rewards
- Travel spends: 5 RP per Rs. 100 (~1.25% value)
- Non-travel spends: 2 RP per Rs. 100 (~0.50% value)
- 1 RP ≈ 0.25 INR paise
- Points validity: 2 years
Reward rates on everyday spending are modest, but milestone benefits can significantly increase overall returns for high spenders.
Milestone Benefits
| SPEND REQUIREMENT | MILESTONE BENEFIT | CUMULATIVE REWARD RATE |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 Lakhs | 10,000 Points | 1% |
| 5 Lakhs | 15,000 Points | 1.2% |
| 7.5 Lakhs | 10,000 eVoucher | 2% |
- Gift voucher options include Taj experiences, Amazon, Croma, Myntra and MakeMyTrip.
At an annual spend of 7.5 lakh, milestone rewards alone boost the effective reward rate to around 2%, which makes the card attractive for heavy spenders, especially when combined with the 0% forex benefit. If most of your spend is travel-related, the effective return can be higher.
Airport Lounge Access
| ACCESS TYPE | ACCESS VIA | ACCESS LIMIT |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic (Primary) | Visa / Mastercard | 2 per quarter |
| International (Primary) | Priority Pass | 2 per year |
- Earn an additional Priority Pass lounge visit if you spend Rs. 50,000 or more in a calendar quarter.
Lounge access limits are modest but reasonable for a card with a 3,000 INR annual fee.
Golf benefit
- Complimentary golf games: 4 per year
- Complimentary golf lessons: 12 per year (one per month)
These privileges come through Mastercard World benefits and add lifestyle value for golf enthusiasts.
Travel insurance
The card includes complimentary international travel medical insurance, a valuable benefit that is widely accepted by embassies for visa processing. This coverage is a major reason many international travelers consider the card.
| Policy Period | 1 Year |
| No. Of trips | Multi-trip |
| Coverage | Worldwide (except country of residence) |
| Emergency Medical Insurance | 50,000 USD |
| Max trip duration | 30 days (per trip) |
| Recognition | Accepted by most embassies |
Typical coverage features include personal liability, trip delay, baggage loss, passport loss, dental treatment and other emergency benefits. The policy is issued by Care Insurance (formerly Religare Health Insurance) as a group policy with individual certificates provided for visa purposes. The insurance document is usually issued within a week of card issuance after a quick verification.
For frequent international travelers, the travel insurance alone often justifies the card’s annual fee.
Should you get it?
If you travel abroad 2–3 times a year and spend roughly 7.5 lakh annually, the RBL World Safari Credit Card is an excellent choice. Key reasons to consider it:
- Zero forex markup on international transactions
- Decent rewards on travel and non-travel spends
- Airport lounge access
- Comprehensive international travel insurance
For a card with a 3,000 INR annual fee, these benefits deliver solid value. It’s especially useful for those who don’t hold a super-premium card but want to reduce foreign exchange costs and have reliable travel insurance.
*** Best Credit Card with Travel insurance ***
Bottomline
- CardExpert Rating: 4.5/5
The RBL World Safari Credit Card is a strong option for international travelers. Its 0% forex markup and robust international travel insurance are practical advantages that help you save on foreign transactions and travel with confidence. While reward rates on everyday spends are moderate, milestone benefits and travel-focused features make the card worthwhile for frequent travelers.
If you routinely travel overseas and want a cost-effective way to avoid forex markups while getting travel insurance and lounge access, this card is worth considering.
What’s your take on the RBL World Safari Credit Card? Share your thoughts or experiences in the comments below.