Regalia Gold Need Clarification: HDFC Regalia Gold Offered as Lifetime Free (LTF) – Genuine or Sales Gimmick?

[Mjindal]

Hey everyone​

I got a call today from an agent claiming to be from HDFC Bank’s Credit Card Department. She mentioned that the following cards are Lifetime Free (LTF) as per my salary account: Moneyback, Freedom, Swiggy, Tata Neu Plus & Infinity (RuPay), Millennia Master, Diners Club Privilege, Regalia Gold, and Marriott Bonvoy.

She also said Diners Club Black (Metal) is a paid card and also confirmed that the ₹3,250 Amazon voucher (as per the HDFC mailer I received) would be auto-sent after approval. However, I haven’t received any official confirmation about the LTF status yet. Though I have received the initiated credit card Application number.

My concern:
I cross-checked with my Relationship Manager (RM), who connected me to the official HDFC Credit Card Department, and both confirmed that Regalia Gold is not offered as Lifetime Free. My RM has even raised an internal enquiry since the call supposedly originated from a Mumbai branch and said the card will be cancelled if it turns out to be misrepresented.
Noticeably this is my first HDFC credit card after closing my last card - HDFC Millennium, 3 years ago. Moreover, these cards were shown as paid in the App.

Issues: Regalia Gold is rarely (if ever) issued as LTF. Agent is not trustable. I’ve seen inconsistencies in HDFC staff knowledge before. HDFC RM is not trustable, as he lacks knowledge.
Question: Has anyone else been offered or received HDFC Regalia Gold as LTF through such calls? Is this a genuine offer or a possible phishing/sales gimmick?

Would really appreciate insights from those who’ve faced something similar.

 

[hellowo₹ld]

Even if one get that card is LTF (its very much possible btw), that call and person different compared to your call and person. So, my suggestion won't apply that experience to you, u do have to make proper checks before proceeding on your side with your caller.

Again, its possible to get that card is LTF (be it as upgrade, direct application), u have to show your relationship and some what luck!

 

[Svm]

most of the hdfc life time free cards either come through system or by asking them to convert . Even your RM will see only system offered cards, exceptions can be made through emails that too depends on your usage,your business value

 

[Amit_]

Never trust HDFC Credit Card agents. They have targets and also get commissions if cards get activated. To meet targets they tell lies and if paid card is delivered then again they will fool you by telling keep using the card, after sometimes they will get the card converted into LTF card. They also use mycards portal, enter your details and ask for OTP to activate the paid card.

If you complaint, then their customer support try to protect the fraud agents and try to close the complaint by giving false reasons like " Card was issued by taking consent of customer " even if you have call recordings proof.

 

[Mjindal]

Update, finally after a bit of hustle, I got converted my paid Regalia Gold to LTF. I don't know what helped, I raised complaint with RBI Ombudsman and mailed with all proofs to HDFC nodal/grievance.

After escalation, HDFC’s redressal team email me, accepted the mistake, and:

• Converted my Regalia Gold to Lifetime Free (LTF)
• Even provided the stated vouchers

Hope they will not deviate from what HDFC redressal has committed in mail.

 

[Mjindal]

Even if one get that card is LTF (its very much possible btw), that call and person different compared to your call and person. So, my suggestion won't apply that experience to you, u do have to make proper checks before proceeding on your side with your caller.

Again, its possible to get that card is LTF (be it as upgrade, direct application), u have to show your relationship and some what luck!

Thanks, I didn't know that LTF is possible, every RM told me it is not possible now, so I believed the same.
However, Please let know how to upgrade to Diner or Infinia as LTF, provided now I have Regalia as LTF.

Not really sure, whether the recent chaos(complaint) will have any effect on relationship with HDFC, like I will get any good upgrades/offers in future from HDFC.

 

[Amit_]

Thanks, I didn't know that LTF is possible, every RM told me it is not possible now, so I believed the same.
However, Please let know how to upgrade to Diner or Infinia as LTF, provided now I have Regalia as LTF.

Not really sure, whether the recent chaos(complaint) will have any effect on relationship with HDFC, like I will get any good upgrades/offers in future from HDFC.

Congratulations bro 👍

 

[Avatar Aang]

Thanks, I didn't know that LTF is possible, every RM told me it is not possible now, so I believed the same.
However, Please let know how to upgrade to Diner or Infinia as LTF, provided now I have Regalia as LTF.

Not really sure, whether the recent chaos(complaint) will have any effect on relationship with HDFC, like I will get any good upgrades/offers in future from HDFC.

🎉 Congratulations for getting RG as LTF.
DCBM and Infinia metal as LTF is very rare. Hardly Few people have these as LTF.