IDFC Zero Forex, Air India 3X, Accor–KrisFlyer 50%: Quick Hits

Updated as of 30 Sep 2026. Three smaller stories from the past fortnight, and whether each one matters to you.

1. IDFC FIRST: zero forex markup on every credit card

From 17 September 2026, IDFC FIRST Bank charges no forex markup on all its credit cards, existing and new. There’s no upgrade, no opt-in and no spend threshold, and your usual reward points or cashback still apply on international spends.

DealUni take: big deal for anyone who spends abroad. Most premium cards charge 2–3.5% plus 18% GST, so ₹4,130 on every ₹1 lakh at 3.5%. For forex-heavy spends like hotels paid at the property, overseas shopping and foreign software subscriptions, an IDFC card is now the default pick unless another card’s rewards beat that 2.4–4.1% saving. Still pay in local currency, never in INR (DCC).

2. Air India 3X Maharaja Points (targeted)

• Who: Invite-only. Some Maharaja Club members got an email with a personal registration link. No email means you’re not eligible.
• What: Fly 3 or more eligible Air India or Air India Express flights between 24 Sep and 31 Oct 2026 and earn 3X points: 18 per ₹100 for Red, 24 for Silver, 27 for Gold and 30 for Platinum (base fare, excluding taxes).
• Catch: Register before flying; award tickets and partner codeshares don’t count. Bonus points arrive by 31 Dec 2026.

DealUni take: Search your inbox and spam for a Maharaja Club email now. If you already have three paid Air India flights before 31 Oct, it’s free money. Don’t book extra flights just to chase it. Separately, Air India is offering 3X points on IHG hotel stays (15 Sep–31 Dec 2026), which is open to all members.

3. Accor to KrisFlyer 50% transfer bonus (ends today)

Singapore Airlines is running a 50% bonus both ways between Accor Live Limitless and KrisFlyer until 30 Sep 2026. Accor to KrisFlyer becomes 2:1.5 instead of 2:1.

DealUni take: skip. For Indian cardholders, the maths doesn’t work. 1,000 Axis Atlas miles become 500 Accor points, which become just 375 KrisFlyer miles even with the bonus. Transfer the same 1,000 Atlas miles directly to KrisFlyer and you get 2,000. A 50% bonus on a bad route is still a bad route.

Teen khabrein: ek kaam ki, ek inbox mein dhoondho, ek chhod do. (Three stories: one useful, one to hunt for in your inbox, one to ignore.)

Sources: IDFC FIRST Bank press release, Air India Maharaja Club special offers (IHG 3X; the flight 3X offer is emailed to targeted members only), and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer–ALL page. Transfer ratios from DealUni’s data.