Those who travel to India from the US, do you use your international debit/credit cards there for transactions? I heard these get blocked frequently and it is a hassle. 1. I also tried booking some domestic tickets through the Indian websites using my US cards and they always get declined. And many of these websites seem to be require a local Indian phone number? 2. I am also worried how I can pay for cabs/taxis while I am in India as the local rideshare apps might also have such issues? Is carrying cash the only way for taxis? 3. Do you guys keep your US (e.g. AT&T) connection alive (roaming) for internet use in India? Any recommendations on how I can best access internet while on my India trip? How do you Indians deal with this when you travel back home? Any suggestions? #travel
Amex doesn’t work across most pos machines… have had few issues with my Visa card as well… I typically transfer cash to my brother’s account and use his card.
Open an account with HDFC bank or State Bank and use their cards.
HDFC sucks. ICICI all the way!
I always use a travel card (for shopping, travel, restaurants, ride share). But call the issuer and inform that you are gonna use the card internationally. Else it gets blocked for fraud.
Get a bank account (non-NRI) and a cell phone connection in India. It’s a one time hassle. Go for ICICI. HDFC is extremely slow. Public banks - just forget about them. Cell phone - Jio is the best I think and from my experience “renewing” it once you go back after some time is really easy as well! You’d make your life so much easier.
Open an account with any bank and use upi anywhere
International credit cards work when used in a store but not for online transactions here. Transferred money to a relative here and taking cash from them as needed. In India and this is what I am doing
Anybody knows if I can open an NRE/NRI account with Indian banks like SBI in the US, and then be able to use their debit/credit cards in India?
You should register a travel with your credit card. That won't block your transactions