Advice for switching SBI Card

[kiwi195]

My mother is currently holding two SBI cards : Pulse (48k limit, age: 1.5 year), Reliance SBI basic (the red one) (only got it for rupay card, 52k limit and 2 months age). Consolidated annual spends are 3L+ and we would like to switch the pulse card to a better one since it does not serve any substantial benefits. Need advice on a suitable card from SBI and if we can get any LTF card from SBI. Also please do suggest on how to do the switching process because net banking or SBI card website never offers an upgrade or a switch

 

[Sourabh_13]

The 'suitable' card depends on your requirement.

Getting a 'better' SBI card than Pulse as a LTF card won't be easy. Since you haven't mentioned it, seems like even your Pulse card is not LTF. Otherwise, it would have been easier.

I have read on TF that cards upto ₹3000 annual fees are made LTF after they become > 1y old and it also depends on the spends.

For switching the card, I would suggest call the customer care and directly ask them to transfer the call to their senior (supervisory desk). These 2nd level people are knowledgeable. They themselves cannot do anything but they will understand the concern and forward it to the correct backend team.

Other option would be to raise the closure request and when the retention team calls you, narrate them an amazing story.

 

[kiwi195]

The 'suitable' card depends on your requirement.

Getting a 'better' SBI card than Pulse as a LTF card won't be easy. Since you haven't mentioned it, seems like even your Pulse card is not LTF. Otherwise, it would have been easier.

I have read on TF that cards upto ₹3000 annual fees are made LTF after they become > 1y old and it also depends on the spends.

For switching the card, I would suggest call the customer care and directly ask them to transfer the call to their senior (supervisory desk). These 2nd level people are knowledgeable. They themselves cannot do anything but they will understand the concern and forward it to the correct backend team.

Other option would be to raise the closure request and when the retention team calls you, narrate them an amazing story.

Yes, the current Pulse card is on paid basis. Does emailing their credit card team and asking for a switch work?

 

[Sourabh_13]

Yes, the current Pulse card is on paid basis. Does emailing their credit card team and asking for a switch work?

With SBI, anything can happen. You will have to try your luck.

But I don't think they will switch it to any LTF card. The new card is also likely to be the paid one. You can make it LTF after a year or so.

The advantage of having a discussion with them over a call is they may even tell you the possible cards that they can switch Pulse with, if at all they are going to let you switch.

Ohhhh....just remembered that they do have some card downgrade/upgrade thing somewhere. Do check the SBI Cards app/site for this once.

 

[Sourabh_13]

With SBI, anything can happen. You will have to try your luck.

But I don't think they will switch it to any LTF card. The new card is also likely to be the paid one. You can make it LTF after a year or so.

The advantage of having a discussion with them over a call is they may even tell you the possible cards that they can switch Pulse with, if at all they are going to let you switch.

Ohhhh....just remembered that they do have some card downgrade/upgrade thing somewhere. Do check the SBI Cards app/site for this once.

Found it.

Connect With Us --> Mailbox --> Account Upgrade --> Request to Upgrade/Others

 

[kiwi195]

With SBI, anything can happen. You will have to try your luck.

But I don't think they will switch it to any LTF card. The new card is also likely to be the paid one. You can make it LTF after a year or so.

The advantage of having a discussion with them over a call is they may even tell you the possible cards that they can switch Pulse with, if at all they are going to let you switch.

Ohhhh....just remembered that they do have some card downgrade/upgrade thing somewhere. Do check the SBI Cards app/site for this once.

Getting a different card is fine even if on a paid basis, we’re able to cover the spend threshold for reversal. What’s important is what they can offer because I tried on the app and website and they’re offering nothing. I will try both ways and see what works out, thanks for your advice

 

[Arnal07]

Getting a different card is fine even if on a paid basis, we’re able to cover the spend threshold for reversal. What’s important is what they can offer because I tried on the app and website and they’re offering nothing. I will try both ways and see what works out, thanks for your advice

Take a better paid sbicard on your spend basis as SBICARD offers reversal of card fees on raising card closure request directly from app after 1year of usage.
best entry lvl sbicc for online spends is the CASHBACK card, hence try applying offline or online separately.You may get the card.
Also, keep a core sbicc like sbi simplyclick or sbi bpcl for instant discount offers.