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SBI Cards Frustration: Limit Enhancement & LTF Denial Despite 4 Years of Loyalty & High Income

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Shraaj

Shraaj

TF Premier
Hey, Technofino community,

I'm sharing my frustrating experience with SBI Cards, hoping it helps others facing similar issues or those considering SBI credit cards.

Background:
I've been using the SBI SimplyCLICK credit card for over four years. Despite meeting all criteria, I have never received a limit enhancement from them. I initially got a ₹99,000 limit, which feels incredibly low considering my income is ₹28.2 lakhs as per my ITR and audit reports. I use this card mainly during sales, spending strategically to meet the ₹1 lakh annual fee waiver threshold, so the fee hasn't been a problem yet. However, it still bothers me that I'm paying ₹590 yearly with no loyalty benefits or incentives.

Request for Lifetime Free (LTF) and Limit Enhancement:
A few weeks ago, I decided to reach out to SBI for two things:
  1. Make my SBI SimplyCLICK card Lifetime Free (LTF).
  2. Increase the credit limit in line with my income.
Despite escalating to their nodal officer and sending emails to various departments, my requests were dismissed. The limit enhancement was outright denied with a vague explanation that limit increases, even with an ITR submission, are “marketing offers.” I could understand if automated increases are discretionary, but a manual review based on ITR should have merit, right? Unfortunately, they rejected it without any solid reasoning.

Cancellation Drama:
Frustrated, I decided to cancel my card and initiated the process through the app. Surprisingly, I received calls from two agents on different days who seemed ready to proceed with my cancellation without trying to retain me. Usually, SBI offers incentives or LTF options to retain customers, but both agents I spoke with seemed indifferent. They offered to waive off the annual fee (which I don’t need since I meet the spending criteria anyway), but wouldn’t budge on making it LTF or enhancing the limit.

Next Steps:
At this point, I'm considering closing the card and reapplying after a few months. If I get a new card, the limit will likely be adjusted according to my current income. While this means losing my four years of card history, I’m hoping a new card would give me the higher limit I’m looking for, even though it won’t be LTF.

My Takeaway:
SBI Cards seem very rigid with their policies, particularly for self-employed or business individuals, even with documented income proofs. Their approach feels outdated, and it's disappointing to see loyalty and financial profiles being ignored. Just be cautious when opting for their cards if you value personalized service or expect regular upgrades based on your profile.
Anyone else experienced something similar?

 

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SSV said:
What is your total unsecured loans as per cibil? Ie total CL on all CCs and any personal loans etc,
Click to expand...
Only 4 Credit Cards

1. Axis Neo and Axis Airtel - 1.05 Lakh Limit
2. SBI SimplyClick - 99,000 Limit
3. Amazon Pay ICICI - 5 Lakh
4. HDFC Millenia - 1.70 Lakh Limit ( They are also offering me only addtional 1.30 Lakh after sending ITR to them)

Also, the CIBIL Score is 810 and steady.

Business Loans are Multiple so can say that 50 LAKH but Securities and FD are also there along with Business Fixed Assets.
 
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Shraaj said:
Only 4 Credit Cards

1. Axis Neo and Axis Airtel - 1.05 Lakh Limit
2. SBI SimplyClick - 99,000 Limit
3. Amazon Pay ICICI - 5 Lakh
4. HDFC Millenia - 1.70 Lakh Limit ( They are also offering me only addtional 1.30 Lakh after sending ITR to them)

Also, the CIBIL Score is 810 and steady.

Business Loans are Multiple so can say that 50 LAKH but Securities and FD are also there along with Business Fixed Assets.
Click to expand...
Are these business loans reported under the same PAN as that of CC applicant as per CIBIL ??
 
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SSV said:
Are these business loans reported undercover same PAN as that of CC applicant as per in CIBIL ??
Click to expand...
Yes, but they didnt even checked the CIBIL it was a standard email because i have also asked sbi cards about ITR and salary slip they denied that its a marketing offer and we cant increase it, i mean who rejects Manual Limit Enhancement without even checking?
 
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Shraaj said:
Yes, but they didnt even checked the CIBIL it was a standard email because i have also asked sbi cards about ITR and salary slip they denied that its a marketing offer and we cant increase it, i mean who rejects Manual Limit Enhancement without even checking?
Click to expand...
No matter what you do, once you cross their over leverage cut off , you wont get LE.
If you cancel your existing card you wont get any new card from them..
 
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Shraaj said:
Usually, SBI offers incentives or LTF options to retain customers
Click to expand...
Lol they don't, ever.

My mother is their customer from 20 years, 10 yrs with normal card and 6 yrs with elite card (top card of sbi at the time, idk if it's still the top card), and whole biz is under my mother's name and we have gives SBI so much business over the years.

I on behalf of my mother asked for fee waiver. They didn't do it. I threatened to close the card, they closed the card. 🤣

SBI is not your ICICI or HDFC or other banks who are interested in retaining customers.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Shraaj said:
Hey, Technofino community,

I'm sharing my frustrating experience with SBI Cards, hoping it helps others facing similar issues or those considering SBI credit cards.

Background:
I've been using the SBI SimplyCLICK credit card for over four years. Despite meeting all criteria, I have never received a limit enhancement from them. I initially got a ₹99,000 limit, which feels incredibly low considering my income is ₹28.2 lakhs as per my ITR and audit reports. I use this card mainly during sales, spending strategically to meet the ₹1 lakh annual fee waiver threshold, so the fee hasn't been a problem yet. However, it still bothers me that I'm paying ₹590 yearly with no loyalty benefits or incentives.

Request for Lifetime Free (LTF) and Limit Enhancement:
A few weeks ago, I decided to reach out to SBI for two things:
  1. Make my SBI SimplyCLICK card Lifetime Free (LTF).
  2. Increase the credit limit in line with my income.
Despite escalating to their nodal officer and sending emails to various departments, my requests were dismissed. The limit enhancement was outright denied with a vague explanation that limit increases, even with an ITR submission, are “marketing offers.” I could understand if automated increases are discretionary, but a manual review based on ITR should have merit, right? Unfortunately, they rejected it without any solid reasoning.

Cancellation Drama:
Frustrated, I decided to cancel my card and initiated the process through the app. Surprisingly, I received calls from two agents on different days who seemed ready to proceed with my cancellation without trying to retain me. Usually, SBI offers incentives or LTF options to retain customers, but both agents I spoke with seemed indifferent. They offered to waive off the annual fee (which I don’t need since I meet the spending criteria anyway), but wouldn’t budge on making it LTF or enhancing the limit.

Next Steps:
At this point, I'm considering closing the card and reapplying after a few months. If I get a new card, the limit will likely be adjusted according to my current income. While this means losing my four years of card history, I’m hoping a new card would give me the higher limit I’m looking for, even though it won’t be LTF.

My Takeaway:
SBI Cards seem very rigid with their policies, particularly for self-employed or business individuals, even with documented income proofs. Their approach feels outdated, and it's disappointing to see loyalty and financial profiles being ignored. Just be cautious when opting for their cards if you value personalized service or expect regular upgrades based on your profile.
Anyone else experienced something similar?

Click to expand...
My takeaway from this is that you don’t really need the LTF status, though it will be good to have. On the limit enhancement front, have you tried limit enhancement through the app with anumati? That definitely should help you out.
 
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realjayt said:
My takeaway from this is that you don’t really need the LTF status, though it will be good to have. On the limit enhancement front, have you tried limit enhancement through the app with anumati? That definitely should help you out.
Click to expand...
No Offer on App, Anyway Closing the Card Soon!
 
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Sobirvs said:
Lol they don't, ever.

My mother is their customer from 20 years, 10 yrs with normal card and 6 yrs with elite card (top card of sbi at the time, idk if it's still the top card), and whole biz is under my mother's name and we have gives SBI so much business over the years.

I on behalf of my mother asked for fee waiver. They didn't do it. I threatened to close the card, they closed the card. 🤣

SBI is not your ICICI or HDFC or other banks who are interested in retaining customers.
Click to expand...

For the past three years, I've been able to have my annual fees waived by raising a closure request each year. This time was no different, as they were ready to waive the fee again. I've also managed to avoid paying any joining or annual fees for my SBI Cashback card using this method. However, my main concern is that they aren't willing to convert it to a Lifetime Free (LTF) card.
 
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My theory is that they do not convert a card to LTF if you use that card regularly and especially if you have used it for instant discount sales. So, take the annual waiver for now and don't use it, at least not for any sales, then just a month or two before renewal, put a closure request. Most likely they'll convert it to LTF. I personally did this and it worked for me whereas they weren't willing to make the card LTF when I was using the card.
 
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Whatever be the case, just remember, your card is already 4 years old and I guess once a credit account is 5 years old or more, there is a CIBIL booster in terms of points and vice-versa if a relatively old account is closed, there is a material dip in points as well.

In my view, if they're waiving off the annual fees every year the card is as good as LTF, need to do one extra thing but that's OK anyways as long as it is benefiting you and regarding the LE, well i guess it's may be because of Over Leverage Criteria.

No harm in keeping the card for instant discount in Sales
 
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eldraco said:
My theory is that they do not convert a card to LTF if you use that card regularly and especially if you have used it for instant discount sales.
Click to expand...
Not true. I used my SimplyClick only for instant discount sales and that too after 1.5y after planning to close the card, I raised a request for card closure. I had some issues with SBI simply debiting reward points even if there was no spends on that card, they asked me not to close and asked if I would be okay with getting the card converted to LTF. I agreed. The gist of it is is basically they actually don't care if you use the card purely for instant discounts during sales. At the time of raising request, my card was only about 1.5y old, joining fees paid but given 500 Amazon voucher and the anniversary year spends were met so no renewal fees were paid.
 
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eldraco said:
My theory is that they do not convert a card to LTF if you use that card regularly and especially if you have used it for instant discount sales. So, take the annual waiver for now and don't use it, at least not for any sales, then just a month or two before renewal, put a closure request. Most likely they'll convert it to LTF. I personally did this and it worked for me whereas they weren't willing to make the card LTF when I was using the card.
Click to expand...
I am not using the card regularly only use the card in sales that too in a year twice, its been 4 years for me and they didnt even agreering to make it LTF.
 
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In current year spend more on CC so you can cross threshold for Fee waiver. Then they will offer LTF. THis was my experience for Cash Back CC.
 
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