Axis Bank Airtel Credit Card Network Change – Master to RuPay: My Ongoing Battle

[rohit_]

Converting my Airtel Axis Mastercard to the RuPay variant. Instead of getting a clear policy, I have received different answers every time, making me believe that Axis Bank is intentionally blocking RuPay conversions.

Timeline of Axis Bank’s Inconsistent Responses​

🔹 January 23, 2025 – I requested a network change from Mastercard to RuPay. Reply: "Not possible now, wait for 1 month. Reason: New Card (15 Days Ago Issued.)"

🔹 February 20, 2025 – I followed up after the one-month period had passed. Reply: "Now, wait for 3 months." (Contradiction #1)

🔹 February 21, 2025 – I escalated the issue to the Nodal Officer. Reply on February 27, 2025: "We regret to inform you that as per the bank’s policy, we are unable to convert your card to RuPay at all." (Contradiction #2)

🔹 February 27, 2025 (same day) – Principal Nodal Officer responded with an entirely different stance:

"Network change is temporarily on hold. It will go live by May 2025. We regret that we incorrectly informed you earlier that the change would be possible after one month."
(Contradiction #3 – So now, it’s not about 1 month or 3 months, but on hold until May? 🤔)

Escalation to RBI Ombudsman & Axis Bank's New Response​

I escalated the matter to the RBI Ombudsman, and Axis Bank called me stating that conversion will be possible after May, as their team is working on it.

As a "special gesture," they also offered a joining fee refund, which I denied because my primary concern is the network change, not a fee refund.

Then, they sent an email asking me to confirm that I am "satisfied" so they could close the complaint. Satisfied? I haven’t even received a solution yet!

I told them to wait for a week because I currently don’t have access to that email or device. This gives me time to decide my next steps while ensuring they don’t just close the complaint without actually resolving anything.

So now, what can I do? I don’t want this complaint to be closed quickly—I at least want to drag this issue until May or June so that by then, they process the conversion and only then close the complaint.​

Meanwhile, I also sent a new email to the PNO asking whether it’s possible to convert my MyZone Visa credit card to the MyZone Mastercard variant. I also asked if the new variant would remain Lifetime Free (LTF) like the old one.

Now, I just hope they reply "Yes, it’s possible", whether it's LTF or not. Once I get that confirmation, I will quote that response and revert to their satisfaction confirmation email, stating that I am not satisfied.

I will highlight that Axis Bank allows similar conversions everywhere else, so why are they intentionally blocking RuPay card conversions? It feels like they are either discriminating against RuPay cards or intentionally harassing me over this request since January.

 

[rohit_]

Could you get the card converted?

no now they are saying july

 

[drvirag]

they will never convert. u can raise this request whn ur card is due for renewal. In my case they said come after 3 year. RBI is nothing in case of axis pno. Axis will say its not possible then RBI will say if its not possible how can they do. Then u ll send rbi notification then they will say come at the time of renewal.
i have several other complains against axis. Neither axis nor rbi solved any single case. Thinking of filing consumer court complain.

 

[✪ D&C Cards Connoisseur 💳]

Actually truly speaking RBIO also cannot help you in this matter. There is a loophole in RBI circular itself where customers are given the freedom to opt for preferred card network at the time of new card application or during card renewal. I was unaware of this clause which has been highlighted by one of the Axis CC executive over call when I requested for card network change and later I found that this clause really exists. Later I mailed PNO but didn't got any hope. So closed that card which was MyZone and got LTF Rewards.