MUMBAI: Thomas Cook India today launched its revolutionary borderless prepaid multi-currency travel card, crafted specifically for India's burgeoning overseas holiday market amid record-breaking foreign travel spending.

The card—unveiled in partnership with Mastercard and Visa—arrives as Indian travellers splashed out a staggering $17 billion on overseas travel in FY 2024, marking a 25 per cent year-on-year surge. Industry projections suggest this figure could rocket to $55.4 billion by 2034.

This first-of-its-kind eco-friendly travel card, made from recycled plastic, supports 12 global currencies and offers cardholders seamless spending power across more than 70 million merchant establishments and three million ATMs worldwide.

"We've built this card to address the evolving needs of India's leisure segment," said Thomas Cook India executive vice-president of foreign exchange Deepesh Varma. "It offers smooth multi-currency access, worldwide acceptance, and exclusive travel benefits—all with the reliability and security that our customers demand."

Security features include embedded chip and pin technology, complimentary insurance cover up to Rs 7.5 lakh, and free emergency cash assistance if the card is lost or stolen.

The borderless travel card also packs a punch with exclusive perks, including:
* Free airport lounge access at select international airports in India
* Complimentary porter services
* A free international sim card
* 25 per cent off select global attractions
* Reward points redeemable for Thomas Cook holidays, flights and hotels

Mastercard senior vice president for South Asia Anubhav Gupta  highlighted the changing landscape: "Today, the number of Indians travelling abroad in a single quarter is comparable to annual numbers from just 10 years ago."

The timing of the launch—at the start of India's key travel booking season—appears strategic as Thomas Cook seeks to reinforce its position as "India ka Forex Specialist" while tapping into the growing demand from tier two and three cities.

Visa India  country manager Rishi Chhabra called the new offering "a joint commitment to financial inclusion and delivering unparalleled convenience to Indian globetrotters."

The card represents Thomas Cook's latest innovation in its prepaid portfolio, which already includes Study Buddy for students and EnterpriseFX for business travellers.