
- Thomas Cook India and Blinkit now deliver forex cards within minutes in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru
- KYC for forex cards can be completed via video verification, eliminating branch visits
- Order via Blinkit app; load funds digitally and use cards internationally for secure transactions
Indian travellers planning international trips for leisure or study have just been handed a new, convenient facility. Tired of relying on traditional foreign exchange counters and last-minute bank visits? A fresh collaboration between a leading travel services company and a quick-commerce platform now promises to make access to forex cards faster than ever. Thomas Cook India has partnered with Blinkit to deliver its Borderless Travel Card and Study Buddy Card to travellers within minutes. Currently, the service is available in major metros: Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru. But Thomas Cook plans to roll it out to more cities, including tier-II and tier-III markets, in the future.
"Quick commerce is reshaping customer expectations across categories, and we saw a clear opportunity to integrate this into foreign exchange, which has become essential for international travel," stated Deepesh Varma, Thomas Cook (India) Executive Vice President - Foreign Exchange. He added that the company's dedicated forex team will manage the compliance and processing requirements as per statutory guidelines, completing the entire process within an hour, reported PTI.
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What Does This Mean for Travellers?
1. Stress-free access to forex, even at the last minute
One of the biggest pain points before an international trip is arranging foreign currency, especially if your departure is imminent. With this service, you no longer need to visit a physical branch to get a forex card. Blinkit acts as your delivery partner. For travellers who finalised plans late or who forgot to arrange forex ahead of time, this can be a lifesaver.
2. Less reliance on carrying foreign cash
In the past, many travellers felt compelled to carry a significant amount of currency in cash to avoid foreign ATM fees or conversion headaches. With easier access to prepaid forex cards (multicurrency cards), you can keep more of your funds in a secure, card-based instrument. This helps with safety (less cash to lose or have stolen) and also with financial tracking.
3. Flexibility across currencies
These cards are multicurrency instruments. Once the card is delivered and loaded, you can use it in multiple foreign currencies. Thus, it is ideal for travellers who cross borders or transit through multiple countries.
4. Digital-first experience, even for KYC
Even the mandatory identity verification is being adapted for convenience. KYC can be done via video verification, removing the need to physically drop by a branch after delivery. This digital flexibility aligns well with the expectations of busy travellers.
How To Order And Use These Forex Cards
- Open the Blinkit app and place an order for the Thomas Cook forex card.
- Once you receive the blank card at your doorstep, complete KYC either via video verification or at a Thomas Cook branch.
- Load funds digitally via a secure Thomas Cook link.
- Use the card internationally in multiple currencies as needed.
Note: Complete the ordering and verification process well before your travel date to allow buffer time. Also, check the supported currencies for your destination country, and ensure that card activation is completed before departure.
Also Read: 6 Hidden Costs Affecting Your Travel Budget
How Social Media Reacted To The Collaboration
Co-founder and CEO of Blinkit, Albinder Dhindsa, took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the partnership with Thomas Cook. His post received a lot of interest online. The idea of getting forex cards from the same delivery platform where one orders groceries has created quite a buzz. Users had mixed reactions to the service as of now. One user jokingly asked if Blinkit can also manage quick doorstep delivery of visas.
New launch on Blinkit: Forex cards delivered in 10 minutes!
— Albinder Dhindsa (@albinder) September 25, 2025
We've partnered up with Thomas Cook to deliver their Study Buddy (student travel) and Borderless Travel (leisure) Forex cards.
Some more details:
- Delivering in Delhi NCR, Mumbai & Bangalore (to start with)
- Cards… pic.twitter.com/jsh8mWrTJ1
For travellers, this collaboration is a sign of how travel preparation is being modified to meet the needs of the digital age.
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