Chapter XIII
13 of 22 · ~7 min

Going International

Plan a real trip. Pick a destination. Choose your card and currency. See the actual cost difference between smart choices and the default ones.

The trip simulator

Plan your trip.

Destination
Your card type
DCC choice at terminal
Total trip spending (in destination currency)
2,000
50010,000
YOUR APPROACH

Smart play

₹0
DEFAULT APPROACH

Most travelers do this

₹0
Regular card + DCC at terminal. The default that everyone takes.
₹0
saved on this single trip
RULE OF THUMB

Always pay in the local currency. Banks convert at near-market rates with a small markup. DCC ("pay in INR") applies a 5-7% terrible rate locked at the merchant — that\'s their business model. The "rate locked, no surprises" framing exists precisely to make this look like the safe choice. It\'s the opposite.

✈️

You\'ll save thousands on every trip now.

Up next: pulling everything together — a monthly simulation where you manage your card like a pro.