Aug 08, 2006 11:32 PM
8300 Views
I recently received my Super Value Titanium card from SCB.
The bank claims that the card user is entitled to 5% cash back on transactions of over Rs. 200.00 across all petrol pumps (Waiver of 2.5% fuel surcharge + 2.5% actual cash back) and across all telecom service providers in the country. Besides this, the user is entitled to 1% cash back on transactions of over Rs. 1000.00 for other categories. The card user can avail maximum cash back of Rs. 250.00 per transaction and Rs. 500.00 per month. The annual fee of the card is Rs. 750.00
Since my company owns about 10 telephone connections (mobiles + landlines), I decided to apply for the card. I received the card within 2 weeks of applying and started using it immediately to settle telecom bills and purchasing fuel at petrol pumps.
After using the card for about 20 days, it was observed that the bank did provide cash back of 5% on fuel related transactions. The fuel surcharge of 2.5% was credited back into account. Besides this an additional 2.5% cash back on the value of fuel purchased was also credited back.
As far as the telecom transactions were concerned, the bank credited 5% cash back for Hutch & Airtel bills. The bank however DID NOT credit 5% cash back for bill payment made to MTNL. I was actually quite surprised when I saw my account online and found that only 1% cash back had been credited (my bill was over Rs. 1000.00) into my account. Seeing this I immediatley called up the bank to enquire about it and I was informed that the MTNL transaction was treated as "other category" transaction and not the telecom bill payment transaction! Anyway, I was informed by the executive to wait for 3 to 4 days to get the clarification on the issue.
I waited for 4 days and today got a call from the bank saying that they do not have a tie up with MTNL for the cash back. Hence any transaction with MTNL will be treated as "other category" transaction and not the telecom bill payment transaction!! Frankly speaking, I am a bit annoyed with the bank but still I would not like to cancel the card just because they don't treat MTNL transactions as telecom transactions. This is actually quite wierd but considering that MTNL is a sarkari company, the chances are that they might not have agreed to the arrangement with SCB.
I also have a Reliance landline connection but I am yet to settle their bill with my card. So I don't know whether they have an arrangement with Reliance or not. Will try it out and let you guys know the outcome.
Since the bank's website claims that the card user is entitled to 5% cash back across all telecom service providers, I wrote the following email to them today:
Dear Sir,
I am holding the Super Value Titanium Card of your bank. The card no. is xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx.
Recently I had done a transaction of Rs. xxxx/- The merchant was MTNL and the transaction was related to the payment of my land line telephone bill.
I was surprised to note that a cash back of just 1% was credited into my account. As per your website, it is clearly mentioned that the card user gets 5% Cashback on Telecom across ALL telecom service providers. Unfortunately this statement is quite misleading and the fact is that 5% cashback is not valid across ALL the telecom service providers in India. From what I have experienced, 5% cash back is not valid for MTNL transactions.
Hence, you are requested to do suitable changes on your site, brochures and other promotion material so that customers like me and the public in general does not get misled.
Further, I request you to furnish a list of telecom operators in India with whom the cash back of 5% can be availed.
I look forward to hear from you soon.
Best Regards.
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The above review is just to caution the readers that the bank does NOT provide 5% cash back on transactions done with atleast one telecom company. There could be other similar companies as well. So please double or triple check with the bank before you apply for the card.
Overall I am quite happy with the card and service of the bank in general. The cash back is reflected on the day of the transaction itself. Since I use the card primarily for settling my telecom bills, I find the card of great value.
Any comments or questions are always welcome.
Cheers :)
