N※N

Zenith Leisure partners with Pismo to launch Multi-Currency Visa Prepaid Forex Card with On the Move and DIY features

  //travel-leisure.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. orex-card-with-on-the-move-and-diy-features.html
  Published in Travel and Leisure on Thursday, October 9th 2025 at 3:30 GMT by ThePrint
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

Zenith Leisure Teams Up with Pismo to Unveil a Multi‑Currency Visa Prepaid Forex Card

In a bid to simplify international travel for Indian tourists, Zenith Leisure Pvt. Ltd.—a leading vacation‑and‑tourism provider—has announced a partnership with fintech innovator Pismo Payments to launch a Visa‑branded multi‑currency prepaid forex card. The new card, which promises “on‑the‑move” conversion and a DIY (Do‑It‑Yourself) management experience, is positioned to meet the rising demand for flexible, cash‑less travel finance solutions in a post‑pandemic world.

The Players Behind the Product

Zenith Leisure is a well‑established player in the Indian travel industry. Since its inception, the company has built a reputation for offering all‑inclusive holiday packages, catering to a diverse clientele that spans families, couples, and adventure seekers. With an extensive distribution network that includes travel agencies, online booking platforms, and direct corporate tie‑ups, Zenith has a foot‑print that touches more than 200,000 tourists annually.

Pismo Payments is a newer entrant in the fintech space, specialising in payment‑tech infrastructure that powers digital wallets, virtual cards, and merchant‑centric solutions. The firm has already launched its own “Pismo Card,” a prepaid Visa card that allows users to load multiple currencies, transfer funds, and pay anywhere that accepts Visa. Pismo’s strength lies in its robust mobile‑first architecture, real‑time currency conversion, and low‑cost transaction handling.

The partnership marries Zenith’s travel expertise with Pismo’s cutting‑edge payment technology, enabling the two companies to deliver a seamless, integrated product that can be bought, loaded, and managed entirely through a smartphone.

What the New Card Offers

1. Multi‑Currency Loading

Unlike traditional travel cards that allow users to load only a single currency, the Zenith‑Pismo forex card can be loaded in up to 15 major global currencies—including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, CHF, JPY, and INR. Users can pick the currency that best matches their destination or keep multiple balances on the same card. When a balance runs low, the app can automatically reload the chosen currency at the prevailing market rate, a feature Pismo calls “On‑The‑Move Conversion.”

2. DIY Management via the Mobile App

Travelers can control every aspect of their card through a dedicated mobile app that features:

• Real‑time balance checks for all active currencies.
• Instant fund transfers between balances, as well as to bank accounts.
• One‑tap currency conversion, which locks in the rate for the transaction to avoid mid‑night market swings.
• Spending alerts that notify the user of every purchase and flag any suspicious activity.
• Cash‑back and loyalty rewards that accrue when using the card at participating merchants.

By removing the need for intermediaries or travel agents, the DIY approach gives customers full agency and a transparent fee structure.

3. Low‑Cost and Fee‑Free Transactions

Pismo’s technology platform allows the card to charge negligible top‑up fees (less than 2% of the amount) and zero foreign‑transaction fees for purchases made abroad. Users can also withdraw cash from ATM networks worldwide free of charge up to a limit of INR 3,000 per day (or the equivalent in the card’s native currency), after which a flat fee applies. Importantly, there is no expiry date on the card, and it can be permanently deactivated via the app if lost or stolen, with a replacement process that takes under 24 hours.

4. Integration with Zenith’s Booking Engine

One of the most compelling aspects of the partnership is the integration of the card purchase into Zenith’s existing booking workflow. When a customer books a flight, hotel, or holiday package through Zenith’s portal, they can opt to add the forex card to their cart for a minimal surcharge. The card is then automatically provisioned, and the user receives a QR code for activation. This streamlines the entire travel prep process, allowing customers to buy tickets, book accommodations, and secure a travel card all in one transaction.

Why It Matters in Today’s Travel Landscape

1. Post‑COVID Travel Resurgence
With international borders reopening, Indian tourists are once again looking to explore abroad. Yet many still carry large amounts of cash or rely on debit cards that incur high foreign‑exchange (FX) fees. A prepaid forex card with multi‑currency support eliminates this risk, giving travelers confidence that their money will be available wherever they go.

2. The Rise of Digital‑First Travel
The shift to digital booking, e‑ticketing, and mobile‑first finance solutions has created an environment where integrated, tech‑powered services are expected. By offering a card that can be fully managed via a smartphone, Zenith and Pismo tap into a market of tech‑savvy, time‑constrained travelers who prefer end‑to‑end digital experiences.

3. Competitive Edge Over Traditional Solutions
While banks still dominate the forex card market, many of their products come with high fees, limited currency options, and a cumbersome application process. The Zenith‑Pismo card’s low fee, wide currency coverage, and instant reload capability position it as a strong alternative to both bank‑issued cards and newer fintech rivals such as Revolut and Wise.

Voices from the Front Lines

“We’re thrilled to partner with Pismo to bring a truly flexible, digital‑first travel card to our customers,” said Rahul Chawla, CEO of Zenith Leisure. “The ability to load multiple currencies and manage them from a single app aligns perfectly with our commitment to simplifying travel for every type of traveler.”

“Pismo’s platform is built for speed, scalability, and transparency,” added Suman Patel, Co‑Founder of Pismo Payments. “By integrating our card technology with Zenith’s distribution network, we’re creating a friction‑free solution that delivers real value to users while opening up new revenue streams for both companies.”

Looking Ahead

The Zenith‑Pismo forex card is slated for a soft launch in the second quarter of 2025, with a full rollout planned for the beginning of the summer travel season. The companies have indicated that they will continually expand the currency list and add new features—such as a “Travel‑Buddy” budgeting tool and a “Travel‑Secure” insurance overlay—based on customer feedback.

In the broader context of India’s growing outbound tourism market, which is projected to reach $10 billion by 2030, such partnerships signal a maturation of the industry’s payment infrastructure. By combining the reach of a seasoned travel operator with the agility of a fintech, Zenith and Pismo are not only creating a new product but also setting a precedent for how travel and finance can co‑evolve.

For travelers who want to leave cash behind and walk into the world with confidence, the multi‑currency Visa prepaid forex card could soon become the new go‑to companion on every itinerary.