Thomas Cook India has launched a cross-border rewards programme for customers using its forex cards, becoming one of the first players in the foreign exchange segment to offer rewards linked to international prepaid forex card spending. The initiative is designed to encourage greater adoption of cashless and contactless payment methods among Indian travellers overseas.
The programme rewards customers with 10 per cent rewards-back on transactions made through point-of-sale terminals, contactless payments and e-commerce purchases across a range of international brands. Participating merchants include Grab, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Careem and Burger King.
Customers can earn rewards on a minimum spend of USD 25 per merchant, with cashback benefits of up to USD 10 per day across eligible brands. The rewards will be provided in the form of Amazon vouchers, subject to qualifying spend thresholds and programme terms.
The company said the initiative addresses a gap in the international payments ecosystem where rewards programmes are widely available for domestic spending but remain limited for prepaid forex card transactions abroad. By incentivising retail purchases, the programme is also expected to encourage travellers to reduce cash withdrawals and instead use digital payment methods for daily expenses such as dining, transport, shopping and lifestyle services.
The rewards programme is available across Thomas Cook India’s Visa and Mastercard Forex Cards. It complements existing card features such as multi-currency loading options, global merchant acceptance and integration with digital payment platforms including Google Pay.
The launch follows Thomas Cook India’s continued efforts to expand its foreign exchange offerings for international travellers. The company recently increased the number of currencies available on its Borderless Travel Card to 28, reflecting growing demand for flexible and digitally enabled payment solutions.
Deepesh Varma, Chief Business Officer – Foreign Exchange, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, said, “International travellers today expect their payment solutions to be as seamless and rewarding as the travel experience itself. While prepaid forex cards are already a secure and cost-efficient way to manage overseas spending, we see a significant opportunity to drive greater usage for everyday purchases abroad. Our industry-first cross-border rewards programme has been designed to encourage customers to actively transact using their Borderless Travel Card across transport, dining, retail and lifestyle categories while earning meaningful benefits in return. The initiative also supports our broader objective of accelerating the shift from cash withdrawals to secure, contactless and digital-first payment solutions. Together with our recent expansion to 28 currencies, we are strengthening our Borderless Travel Card proposition to deliver greater convenience, value and flexibility for the globally mobile Indian traveller.”
