Disclaimer: Took help from ChatGPT to frame this message, But this is my personal experience.
As we all received email from IDFC FIRST BANK on 17 Jan 2025.
Regarding the fees for Add on cards, The bank had initially stated:
1. For all Add-On Cards created on or after 20th February 2025, a joining and annual fee of ₹499 + taxes will apply.
2. This fee is not applicable for all Add-On Cards created before 20th February 2025.
Sounds clear, right?
If you got your add-on cards before 20 Feb 2025, no joining or annual fee should apply.
But here’s the catch no one told you about:
When those same old cards are expiring and come up for renewal, the bank is treating them as new cards and is silently applying ₹499 + taxes as joining AND annual fee — despite the cards being issued well before the policy change.
No fresh request. No heads-up. Just a quiet charge at renewal time.
It’s not like we are asking bank to issue a new card, it's a simple renewal then why they are considering it as newly issued card. it doesn't makes any sense.
If you or your family members hold IDFC FIRST add-on cards, keep an eye out when they get renewed.
This feels a very shady practice from the bank.
As we all received email from IDFC FIRST BANK on 17 Jan 2025.
Regarding the fees for Add on cards, The bank had initially stated:
1. For all Add-On Cards created on or after 20th February 2025, a joining and annual fee of ₹499 + taxes will apply.
2. This fee is not applicable for all Add-On Cards created before 20th February 2025.
Sounds clear, right?
If you got your add-on cards before 20 Feb 2025, no joining or annual fee should apply.
But here’s the catch no one told you about:
When those same old cards are expiring and come up for renewal, the bank is treating them as new cards and is silently applying ₹499 + taxes as joining AND annual fee — despite the cards being issued well before the policy change.
No fresh request. No heads-up. Just a quiet charge at renewal time.
It’s not like we are asking bank to issue a new card, it's a simple renewal then why they are considering it as newly issued card. it doesn't makes any sense.
If you or your family members hold IDFC FIRST add-on cards, keep an eye out when they get renewed.
This feels a very shady practice from the bank.
