Scapia Credit Card Review: The Ultimate Guide for Indian Travelers

If you are a traveler in India, you have likely heard the buzz around the Scapia Federal Credit Card. Launched as a co-branded card in partnership with Federal Bank, Scapia has quickly become a favorite among digital nomads, frequent flyers, and family vacationers alike.

But does it live up to the hype? In this detailed Scapia credit card review, we will break down every aspect of this card—from its zero forex benefits to its unique reward structure—to help you decide if it belongs in your wallet.

1. The Headline Features: Why Scapia?

Unlike most credit cards that try to be everything for everyone, Scapia has a razor-sharp focus: Travel. Here are the standout features that define the Scapia credit card benefits.

Zero Forex Markup (The Game Changer)

Typically, Indian credit cards charge a markup fee of 2.5% to 3.5% + GST on every international transaction. If you spend ₹1 Lakh abroad, you end up paying ₹3,500 to ₹4,000 extra just in fees.

With Scapia, the Scapia credit card forex charges are absolute ZERO. This feature alone makes it an essential card for anyone planning an international trip. Whether you are swiping for coffee in Paris, booking a hotel in Bali, or paying for online subscriptions in USD, you pay the exact exchange rate with no markup.

Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access

Accessing airport lounges has become harder with most banks devaluing their cards. Scapia takes a different approach. You get unlimited domestic airport lounge access, provided you meet a minimum spend criteria.

Note: As per current terms, you need to spend ₹5,000 in the previous billing cycle to unlock unlimited lounge access for the current month. This effectively makes it a "spend-based" unlimited access card, which is a very fair trade-off for a lifetime free card.

2. Fees and Charges: Truly Lifetime Free?

One of the most common questions is: "Is there a catch?"

• Joining Fee: ₹0 (Nil)
• Annual Fee: ₹0 (Nil)
• Renewal Fee: ₹0 (Nil)

Yes, the Scapia card is marketed as Lifetime Free (LTF). You do not pay anything to get the card or keep it active. However, like all credit cards, interest charges apply if you do not pay your bill in full by the due date.

3. Scapia Coins: The Reward System

Instead of cashback, Scapia rewards you with "Scapia Coins". The earning structure is simple:

• 10% Scapia Coins on all travel bookings made through the Scapia App.
• 2% Scapia Coins on all other eligible usage (online/offline booking).

Value of Coins: 5 Scapia Coins = ₹1.
This effectively translates to a 2% return on travel bookings and 0.4% return on general spends. While the 0.4% base rate is modest, the 20% coin earn rate (which is 2% value) on travel is decent for a free card. The real value, however, comes from the ease of redemption.

Redemption

You can redeem these coins instantly on the Scapia app for flight and hotel bookings. There are no blackout dates or complex transfer partners. It's a simple "Burn as you Earn" model.

4. Scapia Credit Card Eligibility and Application

Who can get this card? The Scapia credit card eligibility criteria are generally inclusive but strict on credit history.

• Nationality: Indian Resident
• Age: 23 to 60 years
• Employment: Salaried or Self-Employed with stable income
• Credit Score: A CIBIL score of 750+ is highly recommended. Scapia (Federal Bank) is strict about approving users with clean credit histories.

If you already hold a Federal Bank credit card, you might currently face restrictions on applying for Scapia, as Federal Bank typically allows only one credit card per customer. You may need to close your existing card to Scapia credit card apply.

5. The User Experience: App & Support

Scapia is a "digital-first" card. There is no physical paperwork. The entire process happens via the Scapia App.

• No Web Login: There is no traditional browser-based Scapia credit card login. Everything from checking statements to blocking your card happens on the app.
• Customer Support: The "Holler" feature in the app connects you to support. While there is a Scapia credit card customer care number for emergencies (Federal Bank support), the in-app chat is the primary support channel.

6. Pros and Cons: A Quick Summary

✅ Pros

• Zero Forex Markup (Best in class)
• Unlimited Domestic Lounge Access (Spend based)
• Lifetime Free (No hidden annual charges)
• Excellent Mobile App UI/UX
• Instant Digital Onboarding

❌ Cons

• No Scapia credit card international lounge access (Domestic only)
• Reward rate on non-travel spends is low (0.4%)
• Cannot hold if you already have a Federal Bank credit card
• No cash redemption for coins

7. Verdict: Should You Apply?

If you travel even once a year, the answer is a resounding YES. The combination of Zero Forex and Unlimited Lounge Access on a Lifetime Free card is a value proposition that is hard to beat in the Indian market.

It works perfectly as a secondary card for travelers or a primary card for beginners building their credit history.