Axis charged Joining Fee before card activation

[shivtej]

I applied for Airtel Axis card on 14th January, the card was approved instantly. But when I received the physical card I checked the axis app and saw that the joining fee + gst was already charged on 15th January. At this point I had not even activated the card. Is this even allowed?. I didn't even bother knowing 🪓 and I wanted to use the card. But what is someone doesn't want to activate and let it get closed after 30 days of not activating.

 

[coolguy1]

Axis is Axis, it can do anything.

It's just a few days difference, don't overthink and enjoy using it! 🙂

 

[_amit_]

This is a common practice among banks.
In your case, you noticed the date after activating.

Suppose if a customer hadn’t activated it for a while (<30 days), they might have received a notification that the card is charged with fees, which may potentially pressure them into using it.

Many credit card users don’t fully understand how credit cards work, and banks often use such tactics of intimidation or fear to encourage activation.

When a fee is charged, customers may mistakenly believe the card is already activated or feel obligated to use it, thinking they have no other choice.

 

[ontherocks]

You must have checked the app after activating. Axis has just put a transaction date for the fee earlier than your activation date, i.e. pre-dated it.

 

[TheTrickySid]

I applied for Airtel Axis card on 14th January, the card was approved instantly. But when I received the physical card I checked the axis app and saw that the joining fee + gst was already charged on 15th January. At this point I had not even activated the card. Is this even allowed?. I didn't even bother knowing 🪓 and I wanted to use the card. But what is someone doesn't want to activate and let it get closed after 30 days of not activating.

from where did you apply for this card?

 

[Dinnong]

This is a common practice among banks.
In your case, you noticed the date after activating.

Suppose if a customer hadn’t activated it for a while (<30 days), they might have received a notification that the card is charged with fees, which may potentially pressure them into using it.

Many credit card users don’t fully understand how credit cards work, and banks often use such tactics of intimidation or fear to encourage activation.

When a fee is charged, customers may mistakenly believe the card is already activated or feel obligated to use it, thinking they have no other choice.

Kotak did it to me. They charged joining fees, generated bill and marked as late payment to CIBIL though I didnt activated the card. Later they removed the card account from CIBIL after I complained multiple times.

 

[harsh_ujjwal]

Kotak did it to me. They charged joining fees, generated bill and marked as late payment to CIBIL though I didnt activated the card. Later they removed the card account from CIBIL after I complained multiple times.

They are floating RBI guidelines. They cnt do it.

 

[rahulsingla]

The same thing was done by SC with me. I raised the complaint, the SC was left with no option except to refund the fee.. The joining fee was paid and refunded, hence I need not worry about joining fee. I got the card without joining fee.

 

[shivtej]

Axis is Axis, it can do anything.

It's just a few days difference, don't overthink and enjoy using it! 🙂

Agreed🤣

Yes, as visible in screenshot I have already started to use it. But just out of curiosity I wanted to know this.

 

[shivtej]

You must have checked the app after activating. Axis has just put a transaction date for the fee earlier than your activation date, i.e. pre-dated it.

No I could not activate the card until I had received the physical card as it had some activation code in it.
And as I have already mentioned the fee was charged before activation as there's no way to activate it without receiving the physical card and I recieved the physical card on 18th Jan.

 

[shivtej]

from where did you apply for this card?

From the Axis app

 

[shivtej]

Kotak did it to me. They charged joining fees, generated bill and marked as late payment to CIBIL though I didnt activated the card. Later they removed the card account from CIBIL after I complained multiple times.

Yes I saw a few posts mentioning the same. So was curious about this situation.

 

[ontherocks]

No I could not activate the card until I had received the physical card as it had some activation code in it.
And as I have already mentioned the fee was charged before activation as there's no way to activate it without receiving the physical card and I recieved the physical card on 18th Jan.

So you were able to check transaction history of the card even before activation, i.e. before 18th?

 

[PayKaroAbhi]

I was also charged a joining fee of 590 even before card delivery and they kept saying that the card was activated by me. I argued with them for over an hour and in the end decided to close the card and they agreed to reverse the charges and close the card

 

[shivtej]

So you were able to check transaction history of the card even before activation, i.e. before 18th?

Yes. I already have Axis Neo, so could check the transactions on the homepage. Only thing is I could not activate it without the code. I could even see full card details.

 

[shivtej]

I was also charged a joining fee of 590 even before card delivery and they kept saying that the card was activated by me. I argued with them for over an hour and in the end decided to close the card and they agreed to reverse the charges and close the card

Interesting. Did you apply for Airtel Axis as well?

 

[PayKaroAbhi]

Interesting. Did you apply for Airtel Axis as well?

Flipkart Axis it was

 

[RAMESH BABU N]

I applied for Airtel Axis card on 14th January, the card was approved instantly. But when I received the physical card I checked the axis app and saw that the joining fee + gst was already charged on 15th January. At this point I had not even activated the card. Is this even allowed?. I didn't even bother knowing 🪓 and I wanted to use the card. But what is someone doesn't want to activate and let it get closed after 30 days of not activating.

Why apply in the first place, if one doesn't want to activate the given CC ?

Whatever needs to be read, ascertained or understood - should have been done - BEFORE - one applies. NOT AFTERWARDS.

Unlike such an applicant who spends nothing on application, a bank has to spend on a lot of activities.

Nothing comes free. You need to pay in some form or the other, either directly or otherwise.

 

[shivtej]

Why apply in the first place, if one doesn't want to activate the given CC ?

Whatever needs to be read, ascertained or understood - should have been done - BEFORE - one applies. NOT AFTERWARDS.

Unlike such an applicant who spends nothing on application, a bank has to spend on a lot of activities.

Nothing comes free. You need to pay in some form or the other, either directly or otherwise.

I've mentioned in the post already, I wanted to use the card