- Indians pick payment tools based on travel rewards.
- Credit cards are preferred by 76 percent abroad.
- Forex fees are the top pain point for Indian travelers.
A study by financial services firm Revolut and research firm YouGov found that affluent Indian travelers are increasingly making financial decisions a key part of how they plan and pay for trips, according to the Economic Times. Around 40 percent of those surveyed take two to three domestic trips a year, while nearly 34 percent travel internationally two to three times annually.
Spending on travel remains strong. More than half of respondents put between $523 and $2,090 into domestic trips excluding flights. For international holidays, 59 percent spend between $2,613 and $10,452. Travelers still want quality experiences, but they are paying more attention to getting the best value for their money.
Around 81 percent said they choose travel apps, cards, or payment products based on discounts, cashback and rewards. Nearly half said loyalty programmes and card deals actually influence where and when they travel, not just how they pay once they get there.
"Travel behaviour is transforming from simple itinerary planning into a financial optimization process,” Girish Singh, Revolut India’s Head of Growth told the Economic Times. "The Indian traveller wants the status of a premium experience paired with the psychological victory of a smart deal.”
Payment shift grows
On the payments side, Unified Payments Interface leads for travel within India, used by 79 percent of respondents. For trips abroad, credit cards are the go-to option for 76 percent of travelers. Around 35 percent said they carry a mix of cash, cards and forex cards when going overseas. Most still bring some cash along, with 82 percent carrying at least $300 on international trips.
Foreign transaction fees came up as the single biggest complaint among international travelers. Poor exchange rates, limited card acceptance and security worries were also common concerns. More than half said forex costs were a real challenge when spending abroad, pointing to a clear opening for financial products built around travel.
Interestingly, UPI is starting to show up beyond India's borders too. Nearly half of respondents said they used UPI or mobile wallets internationally, an early sign that India's payments habits are beginning to travel with its people.
Singh said wider global acceptance is likely as Indian outbound travel grows.
"The consumer side is already sorted. The challenge now is getting more international merchants to accept UPI," he added.
The findings come as banks and fintech firms roll out more travel-focused financial products. Recent offerings such as IDFC FIRST Bank’s new zero-forex travel credit card and forex-friendly products from Scapia and Niyo reflect growing demand for rewards, lower foreign exchange costs and seamless cross-border payments among Indian travelers.
Flights, accommodation and transport take the biggest share of travel budgets, followed by food, shopping and experiences. For hotels, airlines and travel platforms, the study is a reminder that loyalty programmes and payment partnerships are no longer nice-to-haves.
A recent report by Allianz Partners found that Indian travelers lead global holiday intent, with 87 percent planning a summer trip in 2026.
