Thomas Cook India’s Outbound Tourism Sector Witnesses a Historic Transition Toward Digital-First Payment Systems as Travellers Prioritise Speed, Security, Convenience, and Real-Time Transaction Control During Overseas Journeys

Image generated with Ai

Indian outbound travellers are undergoing a structural transformation in how they manage money overseas, as digital payment systems steadily replace traditional cash-based spending. From airport transfers and ride-hailing services to restaurant bills, shopping outlets, and tourist attractions, travellers are increasingly relying on contactless cards and mobile wallets for speed, convenience, and security. This shift reflects a broader behavioural change in India’s financial ecosystem, where digital payments have already become deeply embedded in everyday domestic life.

However, despite the rapid growth of rewards programmes within India’s local payments sector, international prepaid forex card usage has not historically enjoyed the same level of incentive-based benefits. Most travellers using forex cards abroad have primarily depended on convenience rather than structured rewards or cashback systems. This imbalance has created a clear opportunity in the cross-border payments space, where consumer expectations are rising alongside global travel demand. Addressing this gap, Thomas Cook India has introduced a new cross-border rewards programme aimed at enhancing value for overseas spending through its forex card ecosystem.

The programme is designed to reward everyday international transactions made through Thomas Cook India forex cards, effectively integrating travel spending with a structured incentive system. It applies across a wide range of global merchant categories that are frequently used by travellers, including food outlets, convenience stores, transport platforms, and quick-service restaurants. By linking rewards to real-world travel behaviour, the initiative aligns financial benefits directly with daily consumer activity abroad.

Under the new structure, forex card users are eligible to receive 10% rewards-back on eligible transactions conducted through point-of-sale terminals, contactless payment systems, and online purchases. The programme covers widely used international brands such as Grab, 7-Eleven, Starbucks, McDonald’s, KFC, Careem, and Burger King. These merchants represent high-frequency spending categories for international travellers, particularly in urban tourist hubs across Asia, the Middle East, and North America.

To ensure structured usage and controlled reward distribution, the programme includes a minimum transaction threshold of USD 25 per merchant. Users can accumulate rewards across multiple transactions, with a daily earning cap of up to USD 10 per customer across participating brands. The rewards are issued in the form of Amazon vouchers, subject to defined terms and eligibility conditions. This mechanism allows travellers to benefit from tangible, flexible redemption options while maintaining a simplified rewards framework.

The introduction of this programme marks a strategic shift in how prepaid forex cards are positioned within the international travel payment ecosystem. Traditionally, forex cards have been valued primarily for their currency conversion efficiency, security features, and global acceptance. However, with increasing competition from digital wallets, international banking apps, and multi-currency travel cards, the need for differentiated value-added services has become more pronounced.

By introducing a rewards-linked spending model, Thomas Cook India is actively encouraging behavioural change among travellers. Instead of withdrawing cash at foreign ATMs—a practice that often involves additional fees and less transparency—users are incentivised to conduct direct retail transactions through card-based payments. This shift not only improves convenience but also enhances transaction traceability and financial control for users while abroad.

Another key objective of the programme is to deepen customer engagement through repeated usage. By offering rewards across everyday categories such as food, transport, and retail, the system encourages travellers to consistently use their forex cards throughout their journey rather than relying on alternative payment methods. This creates a cycle of continuous engagement, where users are more likely to retain and reuse the same financial product for future travel.

The programme is fully integrated across all Visa and Mastercard-enabled forex cards issued by Thomas Cook India, ensuring wide accessibility for both leisure and business travellers. This compatibility strengthens its usability across global merchant networks, allowing customers to benefit from the programme in multiple destinations without operational complexity.

In addition to rewards, the forex cards continue to offer a strong suite of core features. These include multi-currency support, enabling users to load and manage multiple foreign currencies within a single card, and global acceptance across millions of merchant outlets worldwide. The cards are also integrated with leading digital payment platforms such as Google Pay, further enhancing their usability in contactless and mobile-first environments.

From a broader industry perspective, this development reflects the growing convergence of travel, fintech, and loyalty ecosystems. As international travel rebounds and expands, particularly from India’s rapidly growing outbound tourism market, financial service providers are increasingly focusing on personalised, experience-driven payment solutions. Reward-based forex cards represent a step in this direction, where financial products are no longer limited to transactional utility but are designed to actively enhance the travel experience.

The introduction of structured rewards on international spending also signals a shift in competitive dynamics within the forex and travel payments sector. As more consumers prioritise value, flexibility, and digital convenience, providers that integrate incentives with seamless usability are likely to gain a stronger foothold in the market.

Ultimately, this initiative positions Thomas Cook India’s forex card offering as more than just a payment tool. It evolves into a travel companion that supports spending, rewards behaviour, and enhances overall journey value. For modern Indian travellers navigating global destinations, the combination of convenience, security, and rewards creates a more integrated and efficient financial experience abroad.

Mr. 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.”