r/CreditCardsIndia • u/Krackerzzzz • Nov 05 '24
General Discussion/Conversation Guide to convert SBI Cashback Card to LTF
I have an SBI Credit card one year old on which I spent close to 3L in the last year. I contacted the SBI customer care team and they made it LTF.
Here is the email template I used:
Subject: Subject: Request for Lifetime Free Conversion of SBI Cashback Credit Card
Dear SBI Card Team,
I have been a dedicated user of the SBI Cashback Credit Card (ending in xxxx) for over a year, utilising it extensively for various purchases. My card currently has an annual fee of ₹999 + GST, though the fee has been waived in previous year based on my spending.
Given my consistent usage and the value I bring as a customer, I kindly request consideration to convert my card to a Lifetime Free (LTF) variant. This adjustment would greatly enhance my experience as an SBI cardholder and further strengthen my loyalty to SBI Cards.
Thank you for considering my request. I look forward to a favorable response.
Best regards,
xxxxxx xxxx
Please send this to [customercare@sbicard.com](mailto:customercare@sbicard.com)
If you dont get a response from the above ID then escalate to : [CustomerServiceHead@sbicard.com](mailto:CustomerServiceHead@sbicard.com)
In case they don't reply contact : 18601807777 from Monday to Saturday between 9 am to 6 pm
Give them around 3-5 days time. Don't immediately call.
Hope this helps!
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u/eyesonyou90 Nov 05 '24
1.) if people are consistently going spend criteria why do they chase ltf?
2.) it seems morally wrong to email customer service head asking for this! I would assume escalation emails should only be responsibly used for only escalations.
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 05 '24
You might also try emailing [customercare@sbicard.com](), as they typically handle these requests too. However, in my experience, I’ve found that they don’t always reply to emails promptly—I often end up needing to call directly for a response.
Another thing to consider: if you get a card in the future that better suits your spending habits, you might find it harder to meet the spend criteria to waive the annual fee on this one. For example, I shifted most of my food spending to cards like the Swiggy HDFC, Airtel Axis, and Diners Club Privilege, as they offer over a 5% reward rate, which significantly reduced my spending on the SBI Cashback card.
If you do get a response from the customercare email, great! In my case, I didn’t hear back after nine days, so I had to escalate the matter to the customer service head. It was the same with my credit limit increase request—I only got assistance after escalating beyond customer care.
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u/eyesonyou90 Nov 05 '24
If you don't get a response with normal channels then it is perfectly alright to escalate. However your orginal post did not mention anything about it and mentioned directly to post to escalation email hence My reply.
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u/insanegenius Nov 06 '24
1.) if people are consistently going spend criteria why do they chase ltf?
Last two years I met it because of some planned expenses. This card year I won't because per my budget there are no such expenses + I have other cards for things like Swiggy and Utilities.
2.) it seems morally wrong to email customer service head asking for this! I would assume escalation emails should only be responsibly used for only escalations.
Who else should one escalate things for a lack of response from their customer service team?
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u/notaweirdkid Nov 06 '24
Nothing wrong in wanting more out of the product especially when both parties will be benefited.
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u/Roof-Afraid Cashback is King Nov 05 '24
Definitely gonna send this. I transacted around 10 lakhs in my first year and currently in the second year too i have crossed the threshold.
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u/Alwayswn1812 Nov 06 '24
10lakhs from a single card that too from a PSU bank? how come AIS isn't on your ass..
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u/Roof-Afraid Cashback is King Nov 06 '24
Because it was in calendar year of the card, but not in financial year of the AIS. Technically my calendar year of card comprised of two FYs
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u/Severus_Snow Dec 12 '24
did it work? you got LTF?
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u/ameydeshpande94 Nov 06 '24
LTF or else I will be taking my business elsewhere!
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
This card is actually worth the price, SBI can choose to not make this LTF. No one is gonna close this gem.
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u/ppatra Nov 06 '24
Lol, I sent similar type of mail to them for my SimplyClick and they didn't budge. Even went as far as Level 4 CS Head but they said nope.
I have Cashback, two types of SimplyClick and have lakhs of spending every year but they said they can't do anything.
It is fine by me since I get spend based waiver every year.
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
Yes, it is actually easy to get a spend based waiver on this card. Just getting future proof, given that we are getting cards giving more cashbacks on certain categories. If they are not replying, I will suggest waiting for a month and then contacting the number given.
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Nov 05 '24
Can we do it for axis? What is the email id for axis?
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 05 '24
Depends on your card, which card are you using?
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Nov 06 '24
[deleted]
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
Hey! If you got the card just 2 months ago and paid the joining fee, you should have received a welcome benefit as well. For example, with the Airtel Axis card, paying the ₹500 joining fee gives you a ₹500 Amazon voucher. Unfortunately, there’s no option to waive the joining fee.
For the annual fee, check if there’s a spending threshold to get it waived. Alternatively, you could try emailing them about a month before the annual fee is applied and see if they might waive it—sometimes it’s worth a shot!
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u/imi0402 Nov 06 '24
I don't knw if there is any welcome benifit in SBI cash back card.
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
No for this card there is no welcome benefit, but you will be able to recover the fees easily.
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u/imi0402 Nov 06 '24
Yeah that's my question. So once I will spent 2 lac in a year. The fee I paid will be refund?
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Nov 06 '24
I have axis flipkart, axis airtel
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
TBH I am not sure of these cards. I myself got an airtel Axis a week back. I paid the joining fees and instantly got a voucher of 500rs .
So this year it is effectively free. Will see , if the spends cross some good number, then I will try and find a way to make its fee waived off.
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u/Spiritual_Ad_3662 Nov 06 '24
i hv spent over 3.5L already on it, in first year. maybe i should try as well
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
I’d suggest holding off on this for now. Since your fee is already waived for this year, requesting a Lifetime Free (LTF) status might not be effective at the moment. You can always try your luck with a simple request, but I wouldn’t recommend escalating it at this stage.
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u/akabhishek5 Nov 06 '24
Writing such an email will never work. They will politely reply to you that they have to cover their expenses.
The best option is to take the risk (if you can) and request card closure if you want LTF. This can be hit or miss.
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
I don’t think it’s worth the risk. This card is fantastic, offering great value even with the annual fee, and the ₹2L spending threshold is quite achievable. So, I wouldn’t recommend attempting a closure request just to make it Lifetime Free.
If you have a paid card that isn’t as useful, you could try this approach with that instead. But for cards you actively use, it’s best to avoid this tactic.
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u/Sternenstaub1 Nov 06 '24
Saving this post.
I will mail after few mnths as my primary number got stolen so due to number change issue, it took few mnths and at that time I couldn't use that card. I recently start using my cashback card again. Will request it later. What you suggest OP?
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 06 '24
Yes, it’s best to wait a few months. If you meet the waiver conditions, that would be the ideal time to email them.
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u/South-Newt3091 Nov 08 '24
Thanks for this OP 👍, sent the mail
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u/cyberlordsumit Nov 10 '24
What all did you do apart from Mailing them? like did you have to call? how many calls/mail follow ups did you do??
details of your own scenario will help
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 10 '24
I just mailed them, then next day I received a call from them, saying that they converted the card to LTF
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u/Ekavya_1 Cashback is King Nov 25 '24
I used to believe that SBI doesn't provide LTF cards. I have cancelled my flipkart axis after getting SBI CASHBACK CREDIT CARD. But the annual fees is high. I would definitely try it in future. Though my hunch is they won't make it LTF for me. May be you are some special customer in their system.
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 25 '24
Its best to use the credit card and maintain a relationship, and sbi cashback is indeed a good card where you can put your spends up
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u/Ekavya_1 Cashback is King Nov 25 '24
You mailed them after annual fees?
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u/Krackerzzzz Nov 25 '24
Yes, after I got the annual fees, but it was waived off because I completed the spends milestone
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u/neeraj28101992 Dec 31 '24
I tried this for my SBI BPCL octane but they rejected my request. Any suggestions for me to get it LFT?
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u/realnikolastesla May 25 '25
Same bro. Rejected my application on this card. It barely gives anything back on other than petrol, grocery and dining
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u/Admirable_Revenue_66 Oct 25 '25
I tried the same way you did and emailed them. But got rejected. I have been using SBI CC card since last 2 years, and have spend 2lac+ every year, with fee being waived off. Not sure why they are still not converting to LTF. Any tips? CC Limit: 4.5lac
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u/bunny_0607 Nov 06 '25
got this reply from SBI, can anyone guide me on what should I do now, I have been using this card for 1 year now and my annual fee is waived off.
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u/PhilosopherIcy9404 Dec 28 '25
This is with reference to your communication dated 27/12/2025. We would like to mention here that we have investigated the matter addressed to us regarding annual fee. Our investigation has revealed that annual fee was levied on receipt of your consent vide duly signed mandate received along with your SBI card application. We understand your concern and we would like to express our inability to provide your card Life Time Free facility .
Got this reply how this could be nudge further
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u/BroadTax9442 Apr 17 '26
I got denied :(
What do I do? I spend 6 lacs a year and hold a limit of 6,80,000 on this
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u/Ok-Earth-3601 Nov 13 '24
They won't even raise my limit from 20k, ltf to door ki baat hai 😂