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Shadow-Banned by My HDFC Ex-RM or Just Bank Bullsh*t

Donald J. Trump

TF Select
Card Portfolio for Context
  1. Axis Bank - Neo (LTF) & Airtel (Paid) - Rs. 4,00,000 combined.
  2. Federal Bank - Imperio (LTF) - Rs. 1,86,000
  3. HDFC Bank - Millennia (Paid) + Swiggy (LTF) + Tata Neu Plus Rupay (LTF) - Rs. 1,00,000 combined.
  4. ICICI Bank A-Pay (LTF) - Rs. 3,40,000
  5. IDFC First Bank - Select (LTF) - Rs. 3,00,000.
  6. Kotak Mahindra Bank - Zen Signature (LTF) - Rs. 42,000
  7. SBI Cashback (Paid) - Rs. 20,000
I’m stuck in a frustrating loop with HDFC Bank and could use some wisdom from this community. I’ve got three HDFC cards: Millennia (paid), Swiggy (LTF), and Tata Neu Plus RuPay (LTF), with a combined credit limit of 1 lakh. Sounds decent, but it’s choking me, and HDFC’s refusal to budge on a limit increase is driving me up the wall.

It all started in May 2022 with an IndiGo 6E Rewards card, limit 25k. For two years, I begged the Chennai office for an upgrade, sending emails and couriers like I was auditioning for a persistence award. Finally, in May 2024, they threw me a bone: upgraded me to Millennia and bumped my limit to 1 lakh. Fast forward to now, May 2025, and I’m still capped at 1 lakh across all three cards. In the past year, I’ve spent over 3.5 lakhs on these cards, hitting the spend milestones for Millennia and Swiggy cards. I’m not defaulting, paying on time, and my CIBIL score’s a solid 777. So why the hell won’t HDFC increase my limit?

I’ve requested a limit enhancement twice since May 2024, sending two or three couriers to the Chennai office (wasting good money on postage). Each time, I get a vague “internal policy” rejection with zero explanation. It’s like talking to a brick wall (named Bhanu Rekha) that occasionally emails you. I’m starting to wonder if my account’s been shadow-banned or flagged. Here’s where it gets spicy: I had a bit of a spat with my old RM a while back. He’s now some credit risk officer in my city (thanks, LinkedIn stalking). Could he be screwing with my profile? Do RMs or credit officers even have that kind of power to mark an account as risky or block limit increases? Or am I just paranoid?

I’ve emailed the Principal Nodal Officer, the Priority Address Desk, you name it. No dice. I’ve got my salary slips ready, a great track record, and a portfolio of other cards with way better limits (SBI’s an exception, those guys are a mystery, & Kotak’s in another league). This 1 lakh limit is a joke for my spending needs. Just yesterday, I wanted to buy home appliances worth 1.5 lakhs, lured by HDFC’s offers and cashback. But my limit laughed in my face, and I had to pass. Plus, my credit utilisation ratio is creeping up, which isn’t doing my CIBIL any favors long-term.

So, here’s what I’m dying to know:
  1. Why is HDFC stonewalling me? Is there something specific they’re not telling me? Has anyone else been stuck like this?
  2. Are there RBI guidelines that force banks to justify limit increase denials or ensure fair evaluation? Can I appeal to the Banking Ombudsman over this, or is it just HDFC’s internal policy playground?
  3. Has anyone successfully escalated to an “MD Desk” or some higher-up? I read a thread here about someone getting an Infinia issue resolved by emailing an MD Desk. Does that even exist, and if so, what’s the contact?
  4. Could my old RM-turned-credit-risk-officer actually be tanking my requests? How do I check if my account’s flagged?
  5. Any pro tips to get HDFC to take my limit enhancement seriously? I’m not chasing a 500-rupee bump I need a significant increase to match my spending (3.5 lakhs in a year should count for something).
Please drop your advice. If you’ve got stories of fighting HDFC, I’m all ears.

@SJM @Vasuki @SSV @D₹V @helloworld @Tejo @sidp @Abhishek012 @BVC @HumorSimpson @Zacobite @vine @NShah @CMG @RAMESH BABU N @SpiesCan'tCatchMe @vaibhav111 @Strange @saver-user @Pissant @Rkr @hender @2025 @TechnoFino @Wealth is my birth right! @jack333 @Subhankar @4uziaul @drsel @Sriim @007 @Aniket @Fini7777 @Anindya98 @Batmanbaba @6ix9ine @Bodhi @keerthirahul123
 
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Close all cards. Wait for 4 months. Apply card 2 card is what I did.

But my case was not of CL enhancement. I had moneyback LTF and wanted Regalia LTF. Even the freshers in my team was getting LTF Regalia but they were offering me only FYF. So, I had to take the drastic step of closing my 15+ year old card.

Your case is different. You don't have any great CL with any bank which HDFC can take into account. CL is bank's decision and RBI has no say over it. Infinia is for premium customers, MD (or his office) won't even look at your mail.

What is your income range and credit history?
 
The chances of automatic (or even manual) LE go down drastically if a customer gets more than 1 card...... it's the same story for 99% of the junta!

You can try closing the other two co-branded card, and continue with Millenia.....or even close all the cards and reapply for a core card after some months.
 
Card Portfolio for Context
  1. Axis Bank - Neo (LTF) & Airtel (Paid) - Rs. 4,00,000 combined.
  2. Federal Bank - Imperio (LTF) - Rs. 1,86,000
  3. HDFC Bank - Millennia (Paid) + Swiggy (LTF) + Tata Neu Plus Rupay (LTF) - Rs. 1,00,000 combined.
  4. ICICI Bank A-Pay (LTF) - Rs. 3,40,000
  5. IDFC First Bank - Select (LTF) - Rs. 3,00,000.
  6. Kotak Mahindra Bank - Zen Signature (LTF) - Rs. 42,000
  7. SBI Cashback (Paid) - Rs. 20,000

So, here’s what I’m dying to know:
  1. Why is HDFC stonewalling me? Is there something specific they’re not telling me? Has anyone else been stuck like this?
  2. Are there RBI guidelines that force banks to justify limit increase denials or ensure fair evaluation? Can I appeal to the Banking Ombudsman over this, or is it just HDFC’s internal policy playground?
  3. Has anyone successfully escalated to an “MD Desk” or some higher-up? I read a thread here about someone getting an Infinia issue resolved by emailing an MD Desk. Does that even exist, and if so, what’s the contact?
  4. Could my old RM-turned-credit-risk-officer actually be tanking my requests? How do I check if my account’s flagged?
  5. Any pro tips to get HDFC to take my limit enhancement seriously? I’m not chasing a 500-rupee bump I need a significant increase to match my spending (3.5 lakhs in a year should count for something).

1. Nothing, its just your bad luck (for now). More depends on ur income, profession which haven't shared in this thread. Upgrades/LE not always based on existing relationship or spend pattern, but sometimes depends on income, profession and mostly luck.

2. No, LE or decrease solely banks decision. How much they're willing to lend u that upto them, and RBI can't ask them increase ur limit which might increase credit risk in bank terms.

3. That didn't work.

4. No, he/she might have other job rather worrying about ur account. U can't check but mostly ur not eligible for LE currently.

5. 1L/m Limit is sufficient for 3.5L/y spends, IMO. Btw, its been 3 years I received LE from HDFC, all u have to do wait or move on..

If u don't want to be in patience.. can close all cards and re-apply after 6 months (but u have good cards, not advisable).

As per CIBL, ur total credit limit (as per ur shared data): 19.5L

Now, check ur monthly income and is it how many times extra?

-----------

Tip: U only had 3 years relationship with HDFC and already had LE in last May, thats not 1 year. So, can wait till June end to try ur luck again. Otherwise, sending mails is the only route or deal with your new RM (as per their requirement) for LE -- they can't do mostly anything when it comes to LE but can help u upgrade and get higher limit, depends on their satisfaction.
 
Mr. Trump @Donald J. Trump

All banks have some algorithm to give LE's and Upgrades which can't be analyzed by us. As your spending pattern indicates you're milking HDFC from 3 cards. Cover most of your spends offline using Millinea as it will be their co branded card. Keep utilization more than 50% sometimes and pay it on time on your Millinea, if you are not willing to do so, you have an option to increase the limit by doing FD.

Else the best solution would be as you're Potus and President you can use your discretionary powers and put pressure on HDFC for doing so. 😋
 
Mr. Trump @Donald J. Trump

All banks have some algorithm to give LE's and Upgrades which can't be analyzed by us. As your spending pattern indicates you're milking HDFC from 3 cards. Cover most of your spends offline using Millinea as it will be their co branded card. Keep utilization more than 50% sometimes and pay it on time on your Millinea, if you are not willing to do so, you have an option to increase the limit by doing FD.

Else the best solution would be as you're Potus and President you can use your discretionary powers and put pressure on HDFC for doing so. 😋
HDFC is an Indian Bank, why should it listen to POTUS?
 
Card Portfolio for Context
  1. Axis Bank - Neo (LTF) & Airtel (Paid) - Rs. 4,00,000 combined.
  2. Federal Bank - Imperio (LTF) - Rs. 1,86,000
  3. HDFC Bank - Millennia (Paid) + Swiggy (LTF) + Tata Neu Plus Rupay (LTF) - Rs. 1,00,000 combined.
  4. ICICI Bank A-Pay (LTF) - Rs. 3,40,000
  5. IDFC First Bank - Select (LTF) - Rs. 3,00,000.
  6. Kotak Mahindra Bank - Zen Signature (LTF) - Rs. 42,000
  7. SBI Cashback (Paid) - Rs. 20,000
I’m stuck in a frustrating loop with HDFC Bank and could use some wisdom from this community. I’ve got three HDFC cards: Millennia (paid), Swiggy (LTF), and Tata Neu Plus RuPay (LTF), with a combined credit limit of 1 lakh. Sounds decent, but it’s choking me, and HDFC’s refusal to budge on a limit increase is driving me up the wall.

It all started in May 2022 with an IndiGo 6E Rewards card, limit 25k. For two years, I begged the Chennai office for an upgrade, sending emails and couriers like I was auditioning for a persistence award. Finally, in May 2024, they threw me a bone: upgraded me to Millennia and bumped my limit to 1 lakh. Fast forward to now, May 2025, and I’m still capped at 1 lakh across all three cards. In the past year, I’ve spent over 3.5 lakhs on these cards, hitting the spend milestones for Millennia and Swiggy cards. I’m not defaulting, paying on time, and my CIBIL score’s a solid 777. So why the hell won’t HDFC increase my limit?

I’ve requested a limit enhancement twice since May 2024, sending two or three couriers to the Chennai office (wasting good money on postage). Each time, I get a vague “internal policy” rejection with zero explanation. It’s like talking to a brick wall (named Bhanu Rekha) that occasionally emails you. I’m starting to wonder if my account’s been shadow-banned or flagged. Here’s where it gets spicy: I had a bit of a spat with my old RM a while back. He’s now some credit risk officer in my city (thanks, LinkedIn stalking). Could he be screwing with my profile? Do RMs or credit officers even have that kind of power to mark an account as risky or block limit increases? Or am I just paranoid?

I’ve emailed the Principal Nodal Officer, the Priority Address Desk, you name it. No dice. I’ve got my salary slips ready, a great track record, and a portfolio of other cards with way better limits (SBI’s an exception, those guys are a mystery, & Kotak’s in another league). This 1 lakh limit is a joke for my spending needs. Just yesterday, I wanted to buy home appliances worth 1.5 lakhs, lured by HDFC’s offers and cashback. But my limit laughed in my face, and I had to pass. Plus, my credit utilisation ratio is creeping up, which isn’t doing my CIBIL any favors long-term.

So, here’s what I’m dying to know:
  1. Why is HDFC stonewalling me? Is there something specific they’re not telling me? Has anyone else been stuck like this?
  2. Are there RBI guidelines that force banks to justify limit increase denials or ensure fair evaluation? Can I appeal to the Banking Ombudsman over this, or is it just HDFC’s internal policy playground?
  3. Has anyone successfully escalated to an “MD Desk” or some higher-up? I read a thread here about someone getting an Infinia issue resolved by emailing an MD Desk. Does that even exist, and if so, what’s the contact?
  4. Could my old RM-turned-credit-risk-officer actually be tanking my requests? How do I check if my account’s flagged?
  5. Any pro tips to get HDFC to take my limit enhancement seriously? I’m not chasing a 500-rupee bump I need a significant increase to match my spending (3.5 lakhs in a year should count for something).
Please drop your advice. If you’ve got stories of fighting HDFC, I’m all ears.

@SJM @Vasuki @SSV @D₹V @helloworld @Tejo @sidp @Abhishek012 @BVC @HumorSimpson @Zacobite @vine @NShah @CMG @RAMESH BABU N @SpiesCan'tCatchMe @vaibhav111 @Strange @saver-user @Pissant @Rkr @hender @2025 @TechnoFino @Wealth is my birth right! @jack333 @Subhankar @4uziaul @drsel @Sriim @007 @Aniket @Fini7777 @Anindya98 @Batmanbaba @6ix9ine @Bodhi @keerthirahul123

Its normal with hdfc enjoy your day.

Use cards wisely, it took me almost 25 email interactions & 3 months of time to get DCBM,

Don't knew whether they will ever give infinia or not or again there will be 50 emails & 6 months of time will be exhausted for infinia.
 
@Donald J. Trump Your best hope is to make a Bank Manager your ally. They can give you a rejection reason or what to do to get those LEs, without which you will be just speculating and playing this courier/email game.
 
Close all cards. Wait for 4 months. Apply card 2 card is what I did.

But my case was not of CL enhancement. I had moneyback LTF and wanted Regalia LTF. Even the freshers in my team was getting LTF Regalia but they were offering me only FYF. So, I had to take the drastic step of closing my 15+ year old card.

Your case is different. You don't have any great CL with any bank which HDFC can take into account. CL is bank's decision and RBI has no say over it. Infinia is for premium customers, MD (or his office) won't even look at your mail.

What is your income range and credit history?
When did you apply via the c2c route?
I enquired about c2c using my airtel cc having a limit of 750k but the bank branch people were clueless
 
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