Now, after a gap of a few months, American Express has introduced its international credit card. And Citibank has come out with the concept of an international account, and with this, for the first time, Indians can access their bank accounts anywhere in the world.

The Amex facility is aimed not just at credit cardholders, but also at those with charge cards. At the launch of the American Express Globally Valid Cards, Sanjay Rishi, vice-president and country manager, Amex Travel Related Services, said: ``As Indians increasingly take to international travel and shopping overseas, they are seeking a card that not onlyoffers flexibility in payment, but also truly global benefits.''

He added: ``We are confident that Amex charge and credit cards will now uniquely fulfil these needs, by not only providing welcome acceptance at merchant locations worldwide, but also making available special offers and value for cardmembers during their international trips.''

Seen as a move to grab a larger share of the credit card market, the launch of the globally valid Amex cards is part of the bank's larger game-plan to grow aggressively in the industry.

Apart from global acceptance of the card and the convenience of repaying in rupees what you have spent in foreign currency abroad, the Amex card comes packaged with a whole lot of special benefits. For instance, there are double membership reward points for all overseas usage and for a stay at the Oberoi Hotel in India. So, card-members will earn two reward points for every Rs 40 spent on the card. As reward points lead to free shopping, holidays and air tickets, the double membershipaward is expected to make way faster for the freebies.

Plus, it promises other savings to card-members in the form of discounts on air tickets if card-members buy them from any Amex location; free pre-paid calling cards of up to a certain limit with international tickets; special offers at Hilton Hotels & Resorts worldwide, Howard Johnson Hotels (US), Tommy Hilfiger stores and Hertz car rentals.

But more than savings and discounts, the focus is on convenience. With any international card, you can spend the way you want to. But there are other ways of spending as you want in a foreign land. Take, for example, the international account introduced by Citibank recently. Citibank offers the first bank account that can be used by Indians around the world. With this, Citibank India's account holders, including Suvidha customers in Bangalore, can now access their Indian bank accounts to withdraw up to $3,000 per annum (basic travel quota) in over 100 countries around the world.

So, Citi account holders do notneed to purchase traveller's cheques and foreign currency prior to their foreign trips. They just have to carry their ATM cards along. Wherever you are, you'll be able to access over 4,63,000 ATMs in more than 100 countries. That includes one in Antarctica, too!.

According to Nanoo Pamnani, global consumer bank head & CEO, Citibank (India), with this facility, overseas travel will become safer and more convenient with customers having easy access to cash in the local currency of the country. He added: ``This is in line with Citibank's constant endeavour to provide new and convenient payment options in keeping with customer needs.''

Going by a recent survey that Indians are holidaying abroad like it's the end of the world, global access to money couldn't have been timed better. Even though these facilities are really a way for the players to stay ahead in the competitive market, the customers are not complaining.