Apr 08, 2009 12:41 PM
5689 Views
Have read so many negative reviews about HDFC cards (as well as other bank credit cards). Felt compelled to write My experience with HDFC CC. I have a HDFC Gold Credit Card for the last 18 months. This is the only credit card I have. Its is a Visa Card. Usage - Would be low compared to my peers.
Being a credit averse person, really started using this card some 12 months ago. Started with small expenses for hotels and travel mostly, going ahead to restaurants, petrol and other such expenses. Positives - 1. Ease of payment- Have a bank account with HDFC and hence making payments has been absolutely convenient. I have not opted for direct debit, instead I personally make payments after verifying each transaction. 2. Unrecognised Transactions -
Never had a single case of unrecognised transactions. Touchwood. 3. Late Payment Charges - Once made a late payment (by one day). Was not charged any late payment fees for the same. 4. Statement - Receive the statements quite ahead of time both in hard and soft copy. 5. Interest Rates - These may be high, but since I make it sure not to get in that mess, doesnt matter much. But then, I havent heard of rates below 30% p.a. 6. Customer Service -
Once I made a high value transaction (which was statistically an outlier as well, considering my spend pattern), and immediately received a call from HDFC, asking me if I had indeed made such a transaction. 7. Fraud Marketing / Misselling of Insurances - Never happened with me till date. Obviously pamplets with a lot of services do arrive with the credit card statements, havent had a case of been frauded. Again touchwood, havent been '(mis)sold' any insurance of any kind till date. 8. CashBacks - Whatever cashbacks were promised, I have received them in the due timelines. Like 5% cashback on travel base fare etc. 9. Card Rejection - Till date, my card has not been rejected either in online transactions or on PoS machines. Saves a lot of mental agony. Improvement Areas - 1. SMS Alerts - Till a few weeks ago, I was getting sms alerts as soon aas the card was swiped. For some reason this has either been stopped or a threshold level been entered fof sms alerts (which could be quite stupid). 2. Add on Cards / Upgradations - HDFC has not offered me any upgradations or add on cards till date. Maybe because I am a loss making customer (in their perspective), with no charges / fees payable other than the amount spent. Nor has my credit limit been revised (upwards / downwards). I have no issues with this, just thought would share. 3. No Petrol Surcharge Waiver - HDFC Gold CC as of today, does not offer 2.5% Surcharge waiver on petrol on this card without any charges. They ask a upfront fee of some 200 off bucks to give this facility, which I have never subscribed for. Mentioning this because some of the cards offer this free of charges. Fees - When I subscribed to the card, there were no Annual nor any Joining fees. Why I do not want to shift away - The service has been OK (not WOW!, nor GRRR!), but still I have not moved away from HDFC Gold CC for the the 2 reasons of (a) Ease of Payment & (b) No Issues till date. Hope this helps. Comments and any specific issues invited.
