Credit card annual fee waiver condition — how does it actually work?
Mithila Rangdol
Asked 19 Mar 2026
Banks say annual fee is waived if I spend ₹25,000 in the previous year. Does the spend include EMI, wallet loads, and reversals? Please clarify with examples.
3 Answers
Two cards from the same bank usually share credit limit, not stack it. So if bank gives you ₹2 lakh total, splitting between two cards doesn't increase your available credit. That's a common misconception people carry when applying for their second card.
Tip from someone who made this mistake: never max out the credit limit in the first 6 months. Banks track utilisation, and high utilisation right after approval often triggers a credit limit decrease or even an account review.
I closed my HDFC card last year. The process took exactly 7 days. They sent a confirmation email and a closure letter by speed post. Tip: pay off the full outstanding and request closure only AFTER the payment reflects. Calling repeatedly with a zero balance is the fastest path.
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