RBL World Safari Annual Fee Waiver Struggle + Downgrade to ShopRite + Forex Debit Card Backup Plan?

[cc_clover]

Hey everyone, I recently got hit with the ₹3,000 + GST annual fee on the RBL World Safari Mastercard, despite heavy international usage last year and wanted to get advice on next steps.

Here's a quick summary of what’s happened so far:​

• I used the RBL World Safari extensively for international travel across 4 countries last year.
• Fee hit me this cycle, after that this April.
• RBL doesn’t offer milestone-based waiver for this card unfortunately.
• I reached out via all channels: phone, email (cardcancellation@rblbank.com), and chat.
  • One rep offered ₹1,000 refund only.
  • Another said I’d have to redeem 10k points to waive the rest, but I’d still need to pay GST since waiver was after principal was charged.
  • Honestly felt odd when they asked that 12k points which I earned by swiping on here in India to deduct for remaining 2k

I saw others say they’ve had success with partial or full waivers, especially when threatening to close the card early — but that hasn’t worked well for me (yet?).

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Now, my questions (for those who’ve tried these paths recently):​

1. Is downgrading to RBL ShopRite still possible from World Safari?​

• If yes, does the ShopRite come as LTF, or do they issue it as a paid version too?
• Once downgraded, can I upgrade again later to World Safari (hopefully on LTF or partial fee basis)?
• How long does it take to receive the new ShopRite card after downgrade approval?
• Any special process or team to handle this — is email better than phone?

2. If I close World Safari instead of downgrading, how soon would I be eligible to apply for another RBL card?​

• Any cooling-off period or block tied to PAN/card history?

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3. I used to feel very “mind-free” when swiping abroad with the RBL World Safari, but I also had other debit cards for ATM withdrawals​

• Niyo DCB Debit Card – for me usecase limited to ATM use only.
• Fi Debit Card
• IndusInd Exclusive Debit Card (Zero CHARGE ON ATM WITHDRAWALS variant)

These were perfect for me because I didn't have to worry when making credit card payments in day-to-day areas or during international transactions. I had heard earlier about issues like masking, skimming, and fraud, but with these cards, I felt secure — especially with the RBL World Safari for overseas transactions & Niyo and DCB setup for ATM withdrawals.

About the debit cards:

• Are any of these still worth keeping in 2025?
• Or are there better debit card options now for casual international spends (especially with 0 forex markup or live exchange rates)?

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Would love any insights on how others have handled:

Thanks again for all the inputs earlier — hoping to resolve this in time for the upcoming billing cycle!

 

[NABNAB is verified member.]

Go for the closure; the retention team may offer a better deal.

 

[cc_clover]

Go for the closure; the retention team may offer a better deal.

Damn! I just got off a call with a senior supervisor. I accepted the 12k points in exchange for ₹2,000 + some possible GST waiver. T.T

Literally 15 minutes ago, I was actually about to take the plunge and close the card. But unfortunately, I have an international trip coming up in the next 4–5 months. I had the YES Marquee in mind for that, but I’m not sure when (or if) I’ll receive the card on time—especially since I’m currently on a CIBIL cooldown. I just got the Atlas recently for booking reasons.

I was reading a few threads after the call and started feeling like maybe I should’ve just gone ahead with the closure. But I hesitated—this is my only unsecured zero-forex card. If this one goes, and I say something confidently during the call, and they actually close it... then I’d be stuck in the Shoprite → cooldown → upgrade game all over again,

Bolo kya karun phirse call karke closure ka request daal dun?

 

[NABNAB is verified member.]

Damn! I just got off a call with a senior supervisor. I accepted the 12k points in exchange for ₹2,000 + some possible GST waiver. T.T

Literally 15 minutes ago, I was actually about to take the plunge and close the card. But unfortunately, I have an international trip coming up in the next 4–5 months. I had the YES Marquee in mind for that, but I’m not sure when (or if) I’ll receive the card on time—especially since I’m currently on a CIBIL cooldown. I just got the Atlas recently for booking reasons.

I was reading a few threads after the call and started feeling like maybe I should’ve just gone ahead with the closure. But I hesitated—this is my only unsecured zero-forex card. If this one goes, and I say something confidently during the call, and they actually close it... then I’d be stuck in the Shoprite → cooldown → upgrade game all over again,

Bolo kya karun phirse call karke closure ka request daal dun?

Try getting Scapia or AU Ixigo.
If you get any of them, just put the closure request. Otherwise, try this after coming back from your trip.
As per my past 4-5 year's experience, they always refund the fees.

 

[cc_clover]

Try getting Scapia or AU Ixigo.
If you get any of them, just put the closure request. Otherwise, try this after coming back from your trip.
As per my past 4-5 year's experience, they always refund the fees.

I have taken AU Lit for the very same purpose, one of the stupid agents applied for this instead of AU Zenith and then had to wait for the cooldown period, also AU Ixigo can be applied independently?

 

[Nemesis]

Am getting 2k wavier while the fees with tax is 3540.
Will disable the card as there are better offers from other card networks than Rbl

 

[NABNAB is verified member.]

I have taken AU Lit for the very same purpose, one of the stupid agents applied for this instead of AU Zenith and then had to wait for the cooldown period, also AU Ixigo can be applied independently?

Nope. AU has a strictly one-card policy. But yes you can apply for it on your own.