HDFC Imperia Experience: Promised LTF Credit Card by Branch, But Customer Support Says It's a Paid Card

[moglibhai]

Hello everyone,


Mera HDFC me Imperia account hai (1 year purana), and I wanted to share my recent experience regarding a pre-approved credit card offer, which turned out to be quite confusing and honestly, disappointing.

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Timeline​

• 7 months after opening my account, I got to know (through self-check via NetBanking) that I have a pre-approved card offer.
  
  

  No call/email from branch or customer support regarding the offer.

• I called the Imperia desk, but they refused to tell me the credit limit, saying “branch visit karo ya card apply karke hi pata chalega” – very strange.
• When I tried to apply online:
  
  • Initially, it was showing DCP, IOCL, Swiggy cards — all paid variants.
  • I skipped applying at that time because thinking that holding Imperia account might get better premium card if I wait.
  • Later again I checked, it showed DCP as LTF (Lifetime Free), but I didn’t want that card due to weak benefits.
• Recently, I requested a callback from the branch through phone banking.
  
  • Got a call back and was told only Millennia Card (LTF) is available.
  • I was aware that HDFC sometimes shows LTF but later charges annual fee, so I asked the executive to share a screenshot or written proof – she denied, saying “system photo share nhi kar sakte, aap branch aa jao”.

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Branch Visit Experience:​

• I visited the home branch:
  
  • They showed me on system that Millennia card is LTF, while when I was checking from net banking it was showing priced.
  • I asked: What if I receive the card and it turns out to be paid?
    
    

    Reply: “Aisa kaise ho sakta, yaha system m dikha rha h aise kaise kuch bhi ho jaayega" hoga bhi to mail karenge ki system m ltf tha

• Before visiting home branch, I visited another HDFC branch who said it was paid card, not LTF. When I mentioned this to my home branch, they said “wo kisi aur jagah check kr rhe honge ”.
• Anyway, I finally applied for the card. Within 30 mins, it was approved with 1.08L limit.

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Confusion Begins:

• I called customer support – they said it’s a paid card.
• I called again – same answer.
• I called my branch back – they said “customer support doesn’t know, card is LTF” and asked me to visit branch again and they will call from my registered number to confirm.
• I don’t have anything in written, and they also denied giving anything before application.

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Now the Question:

Should I now raise a grievance with HDFC or escalate to RBI ombudsman, since:

• I was misguided by branch staff into applying a paid card by showing LTF in system.
• I had clearly asked for written confirmation, but they denied.
• My intention was to either get Millennia or any other premium card like DCB as LTF, or at least get Millennia made LTF, as promised.
• Now I am in loop branch is saying let card come & activate if charges gets deducted then contact us they will make it reverse, now am thinking that time kharab hoga yha wha complain raise krne m sidhe grievance p raise karu bt no proof

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Looking for Advice:​

• Should I raise a complaint to HDFC Grievance Cell?
• Any way/trick to request DCB as LTF, by explaining this miscommunication by branch to grievance or higher authority.
• Anyone had similar experience where branch says LTF, but support says priced?

Now my intention is to get any hdfc premium card as ltf by citing this miscommunication as fraud selling, I will not activate millenia will request them to change my card to another is this possible or not considering limit what they had given??

@SSV @Vasuki @Aniket Sharma @HumorSimpson @SJM

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Thanks in advance.
Any suggestions/help from the community will be appreciated.

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[The_One]

what was the initial card u were offered and was it pre approved or self applied??

Initial Card was DCP and applied via online portal.