Bangladesh Bank allows international card use for flight tickets

Bangladesh Bank has authorized resident nationals to purchase international flight tickets from domestic airlines using their global payment cards, marking a significant shift in foreign exchange policy. The central bank stated the decision would improve price transparency, boost market competition, and simplify travel arrangements for citizens booking overseas journeys.

Travelers previously faced limited options for competitive fares when buying tickets locally, forcing many to purchase through foreign channels at elevated costs. The new rules require all transactions to flow through Authorized Dealer banks, with international cards eligible for refills matching exact ticket amounts after banks confirm receipt of payments through local banking systems. Airlines may deposit foreign currency proceeds into accounts with authorized dealers, though domestically owned carriers must convert earnings to taka.

Experts predict the policy will eliminate pricing disparities between tickets purchased in Bangladesh versus abroad while modernizing settlement practices to align with international standards. The central bank directed authorized dealers to maintain detailed records and notify stakeholders about the facility.