25 October, 2024
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You see an advertisement promoting a ‘lifetime free Credit Card’, and you wonder what the catch is. Are Credit Cards free? If they are, why do banks take the trouble of issuing them?

Whether you pay anything for your Credit Cards or not depends on how you use the Credit Card? In fact, if you use it prudently and smartly, a Credit Card can help you reap many benefits such as rewards, cash backs and discounts.

Enjoy Zero Joining & Annual Fees on HDFC Bank Credit Cards

This festive season, grab a lifetime free HDFC Bank Credit Card and unlock rewards on everyday spends. Apply between October and December 2024 to skip the annual fees.

Card Variant	Lifetime/First Year Free Offer Validity	Key Features	Apply
PIXEL Play Credit Card	Lifetime Free offer valid for applications from Bank's platform between 17th December 2024 and 16th January 2025	5% CashBack on choice of any 2 merchant packs 3% CashBack on choice of any one e-commerce merchant - Amazon or Flipkart or PayZapp 1% Unlimited CashBack on all spends* Customise card design and billing cycle	Download PayZapp
Diners Club Privilege Credit Card	Lifetime Free offer valid for applications from Bank's platform between 17th December 2024 and 16th January 2025	Complimentary Annual Memberships of Swiggy One and Times Prime as Welcome Benefit ₹1,500 worth Marriott, Decathlon & more vouchers on quarterly spends of ₹1.5 Lakh 8 Complimentary airport lounge access worldwide  4 Reward Points for every ₹150 spent	Apply online
Millennia Credit Card	Lifetime Free offer valid for applications from Bank's platform between 17th December 2024 and 16th January 2025	5% Cashback on Amazon, BookMyShow, Cult.fit, Flipkart, Myntra, Sony LIV, Swiggy, Tata CLiQ, Uber and Zomato 1% cashback on all other spends ₹1000 worth gift vouchers on spends of ₹1,00,000 and above in each calendar quarter Up to 20% discount on partner restaurants via Swiggy Dineout	Apply online
Biz Grow Credit Card	Lifetime Free offer valid for applications from Bank's platform between 17th December 2024 and 16th January 2025	Up to 55 Days Interest Free Period 10X Cashpoints on Bill Payments* Get 2000 Bonus Cashpoints on quarterly spends of ₹1 Lakh as Milestone Benefit. 2 Cashpoints for every ₹150 spent	Apply online
Regalia Gold Credit Card	First Year Free (FYF) Offer valid for applications from Bank's platform between 17th December 2024 and 16th January 2025	Complimentary Swiggy One and MMT Black Gold membership as Welcome benefits. ₹ 1,500 worth vouchers on quarterly spends of ₹1.5 Lakh ₹5,000 worth flight vouchers on annual spends of ₹5 Lakh and ₹7.5 Lakhs. 5X Reward Points on spends at Marks & Spencer, Myntra, Nykaa & Reliance Digital!	Apply online

 

Charges Associated with Credit Cards

First, let’s look at the typical charges you may have to pay for a Credit Card.

• Annual fees: Technically, most Credit Cards charge an annual fee. But these fees are waived off if you use your card regularly and achieve a minimum spend – for example, the HDFC Bank Visa Signature Card will waive off the annual fee if you spend ₹15,000 in 90 days of the card issuing date.
  If you are a credit-worthy customer, the bank may offer you a lifetime free Credit Card, which means no joining or annual fees.
• Finance charges: This is the interest the bank charges if you settle your outstanding Credit Card bills after the statement due date. Your Credit Card gives you 25 to 50 days of interest-free credit. If you settle your Credit Card bill on or before your due date, you won’t have to pay any finance charges.
• Other charges:There are charges you may have to pay based on how you use the Credit Card. For example, if you withdraw cash using a Credit Card at an ATM or you spend over your credit limit, or you lose your card and want a duplicate issued. But if you use your card only for online and offline purchases and settle your bills before due date, your Credit Card is free.
  If lifetime free Credit Cards come without charges, how do banks earn money from the service? A major portion of Credit Card revenue for banks comes from merchant fees – when you buy a product using a Credit Card, a percentage of its value goes to the card-issuing bank.

So, yes, a Credit Card can be free if you use it smartly.

Apply for a Lifetime Free Credit Card now.

*Disclaimer: Terms and conditions apply. The information provided in this article is generic in nature and for informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for specific advice in your own circumstances. Credit Card approvals at the sole discretion of HDFC Bank Limited. Credit Card approvals is subject to documentation and verification as per Bank's requirement. Interest rates are subject to change. Please check with your RM or closest bank branch for current interest rates.

 

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