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Thomas Cook partners with Blinkit to deliver forex card at doorstep

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, September 25th 2025 at 23:29 GMT by moneycontrol.com
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Thomas Cook India partners with Blinkit to deliver forex cards straight to travellers’ doorsteps

Thomas Cook India—once the nation’s largest travel company, now a re‑imagined player in the foreign‑exchange market—has inked a partnership with Blinkit, the Mumbai‑based hyper‑local delivery platform, to ship its prepaid forex cards directly to customers’ homes or hotels. The move is part of Thomas Cook’s effort to stay relevant after its 2022 exit announcement, while Blinkit looks to broaden its portfolio beyond groceries and convenience goods.

Why a forex card matters

A forex card is a prepaid, reloadable card that lets users load multiple currencies (USD, Euro, GBP, JPY, etc.) and spend them abroad just as they would with a debit or credit card. It offers travellers:

• Security – The card’s PIN and transaction limits reduce the risk of fraud.
• Convenience – No need to exchange cash at airports or banks.
• Cost‑effectiveness – Many cards lock in favourable rates, and foreign‑exchange fees are lower than typical ATM withdrawals.

Thomas Cook’s forex cards, now branded as “Thomas Cook FX,” have historically been distributed through its travel agencies, banks, and retail partners. However, the brand’s recent re‑entry into the market has been hampered by a limited distribution network, prompting the partnership with Blinkit.

How the partnership works

1. Booking – A traveller purchases a Thomas Cook FX card through the Thomas Cook website, app, or one of its authorised agents.
2. Delivery – Blinkit’s drivers pick up the card from Thomas Cook’s fulfilment centre or local retail partner and deliver it to the customer’s specified address—be it their home, a hotel, or even an airport lounge—within 60 minutes of the request.
3. Activation – Once received, the card can be activated online or via a toll‑free number. The traveller can then load currency through the Thomas Cook portal, with instant balance updates reflected on the card’s online dashboard.
4. Usage – The card works at any merchant that accepts Mastercard or Visa (depending on the card variant), ATM withdrawals up to the daily limit, and even online purchases.

The integration of Blinkit’s last‑mile logistics into the forex‑card supply chain ensures a seamless, end‑to‑end experience for users, especially those who book last‑minute trips and need a card at the moment they reach their destination.

A win‑win for both firms

For Thomas Cook, Blinkit’s on‑demand delivery platform translates into a broader reach without the need to build an independent logistics network. The company can now promise “card‑on‑arrival” services that were previously out of reach for a brand that was, at one point, in the throes of bankruptcy and re‑organisation.

Blinkit, meanwhile, gains a new product category that drives additional foot‑fall into its platform. While the company is best known for groceries and household essentials, the partnership positions it as a one‑stop shop for travellers’ last‑minute needs—air‑ticket booking, hotel reservations, and now a foreign‑exchange card.

“We’re thrilled to bring Thomas Cook’s forex cards to the doorstep of millions of customers who rely on Blinkit’s speed and reliability.” said Suresh Venkatesh, Blinkit’s Head of Retail Partnerships. “The partnership is a perfect example of how hyper‑local delivery can transform financial services.”

Thomas Cook’s Chief Operating Officer, Anil Bhattacharya, echoed the sentiment: “The synergy between Thomas Cook’s brand trust in the travel sector and Blinkit’s logistics excellence is a powerful one.” He added that the new delivery model would allow the company to expand its customer base to include more impulse travellers and those preferring digital solutions over traditional banks.

Market context

India’s forex‑card market has grown steadily, driven by a surge in international travel and a shift toward digital financial services. According to the Reserve Bank of India, retail foreign‑exchange transactions increased by 15% in the last financial year, with prepaid cards accounting for roughly 40% of that volume.

Thomas Cook, though a smaller player compared to banks and fintechs, has a legacy brand and an existing user base of frequent travellers. By aligning with Blinkit, it leverages the latter’s 200,000‑strong delivery fleet, which already covers 120+ cities across India.

Blinkit, in turn, has been diversifying its offerings beyond groceries. Its “Blinkit Essentials” suite now includes medicines, personal care, and travel accessories. Adding forex cards dovetails with its vision of becoming a “go‑to” platform for any on‑demand need.

Looking ahead

The partnership is still in its early stages, but both parties are optimistic about scaling. Thomas Cook plans to launch a “FX‑Express” variant that offers instant online activation and a lower minimum load, while Blinkit aims to integrate an “FX‑Tracker” feature into its app, allowing customers to see real‑time card balances.

There is also talk of extending the service to other countries where Thomas Cook operates, leveraging Blinkit’s international delivery network, which is still nascent but growing. In the long term, the collaboration could pave the way for further fintech integrations—such as QR‑code payments, digital wallet linkages, and instant currency conversion tools—making travel seamless for the modern Indian traveller.

Bottom line

The Thomas Cook–Blinkit partnership is a strategic blend of legacy travel expertise and cutting‑edge logistics. By delivering forex cards straight to customers’ doorsteps, the alliance not only simplifies travel preparations but also positions both companies to capture a growing segment of Indian outbound tourists who value speed, convenience, and security. As the travel market continues to recover, this collaboration could become a benchmark for how traditional brands can partner with modern delivery platforms to stay ahead of the curve.