SBI Cashback Card - Approval, No delivery, frustration

[Marshallgv2]

Hi guys,


I’m reaching out to share a frustrating experience I’ve had with the SBI Cashback Card application process and to seek some advice from this community.
I applied for the card last month through SBI’s Sprint application. The application process itself was smooth, but the approval took nearly 2 weeks. I eventually received an approval confirmation, and the status on the tracking portal changed to:

“Card approved, will be delivered in 2–5 days.”

Around the same time, I also received an SMS from SBI Cards with the last 4 digits of the card and instructions for activation.


Now, it’s been over 2–3 weeks since that message, and I still haven’t received the physical card. There is no courier tracking number available.
The portal still shows the same "2–5 days" status, and there's been no further update.


To make things worse:

• Customer support is unhelpful — they are left & right opening & closing help tickets on the same day, with no resolution or comments.
• The IVR system is a nightmare. If you somehow reach a human, they tell you the line is unauthenticated and bounce you back to the IVR.

I’m genuinely frustrated now. The card application has already hit my CIBIL score, and if I can’t even activate the card due to non-receipt, it feels like all this effort was for nothing.
Should I escalate this to the RBI Ombudsman? Or is there any other way to get this sorted?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

 

[R_A_J]

This is a common occurence in SBI.

Complaint to RBI - Yes

meanwhile, parallely speak to them and explain the situation in a strong tone. And ask them to issue a replacement card free of cost.

Happened the same with a friend, they mentioned that card is stuck in name embossing phase or something like that (it was Vistara SBI card though).

 

[sudheerreddy]

If possible contact the Twitter Support team.

 

[IDontThinkSo]

SBI Card escalation matrix:
customercare@sbicard.com
nodalofficer@sbicard.com
principalnodalofficer@sbicard.com (Either mail this)
customerservicehead@sbicard.com (Or this)

Before moving to RBI, you should first write to nodal or higher management for resolution.
Without a written application, your RBI compliant might not be worthwhile.

 

[Marshallgv2]

Thank you for all the suggestions, I am going to mail their PNO as of now. Really appreciate all that you guys suggest!

 

[IDontThinkSo]

From next time, try to avoid customer support/IVR for such matters, as they won't do any help and give template replies.

For public sector banks. usually escalate to nodal or PNO directly for help from day one.

 

[Marshallgv2]

Thanks guys, I mailed PNO after the responses here, and they responded the next day (today), that the card is dispatched & should be received in 10 days.
However given all the delays (card was approved & last 4 digits i'd received in SMS last month 20th March).
I'm worried that in 10 days, it will cross the 30-day card activation limit.
(I've highlighted this concern as a response to PNO)

Any thoughts? will I still be able to activate the card if it comes after the 30-day mark?

Thanks a lot, guys.

 

[IDontThinkSo]

Thanks guys, I mailed PNO after the responses here, and they responded the next day (today), that the card is dispatched & should be received in 10 days.
However given all the delays (card was approved & last 4 digits i'd received in SMS last month 20th March).
I'm worried that in 10 days, it will cross the 30-day card activation limit.
(I've highlighted this concern as a response to PNO)

Any thoughts? will I still be able to activate the card if it comes after the 30-day mark?

Thanks a lot, guys.

This is the best you could do for now.
You have already asked PNO about the activation period, so lets wait for their response.
SBICard is at fault here so you have a strong case in scenario of non activation.

Also did you not get an SMS where you could see virtual card details?

 

[Marshallgv2]

This is the best you could do for now.
You have already asked PNO about the activation period, so lets wait for their response.
SBICard is at fault here so you have a strong case in scenario of non activation.

Also did you not get an SMS where you could see virtual card details?

Thanks for all your guidance.
I got an sms with only the last 4 digits.

 

[Marshallgv2]

That’s why I love this forum, man.

I was absolutely frustrated just a few days ago—stuck in a deadlock with no way to reach proper customer support, complaints getting closed without a word, and the card nowhere in sight.

Then I posted here, and within 3 days—boom—card delivered and activated!

Really appreciate all the invaluable advice you folks shared, especially the nudge to contact the Principal Nodal Officer. Gave me clarity and a sense of direction when I was totally lost.

Thanks a ton, everyone. ( @IDontThinkSo @sudheerreddy @R_A_J ) Grateful to be part of such a helpful and responsive community!

 

[harsh_ujjwal]

Thanks guys, I mailed PNO after the responses here, and they responded the next day (today), that the card is dispatched & should be received in 10 days.
However given all the delays (card was approved & last 4 digits i'd received in SMS last month 20th March).
I'm worried that in 10 days, it will cross the 30-day card activation limit.
(I've highlighted this concern as a response to PNO)

Any thoughts? will I still be able to activate the card if it comes after the 30-day mark?

Thanks a lot, guys.

Until n unless card is delivered it won't cross 30 days mark. After delivery it is counted.