My Alfa-Bilyan Credit Card Experience: A Mixed Bag of Convenience and Complications

I'll be honest, getting a credit card was a daunting task, but it finally arrived. Right off the bat, I discovered a not-so-great thing: paying off the balance without taking out a loan might be a stretch. The prices this year are just crazy, so I started thinking about a good credit card with a long interest-free period, one that would let me pay it off slowly – the longer, the better. I did some research, read reviews (including here on Airecommend), and after a couple of days, I decided on Alfa.

The limit they gave me was 120,000 rubles, which I was super happy about: I've heard stories from friends about being offered 15,000 instead. You can't ask about it beforehand, so you'll have to find out at the meeting. The representative will come at a scheduled time, confirm it an hour beforehand, and bring a signed application and a card in an envelope. All you need to do is show your passport.

First thing I asked the representative was not to enable SMS notifications for me! But after they left, I still checked.

I also disabled life and health insurance in the app.

The next day, I signed an additional agreement to get a 365-day interest-free period. Now, anything I buy within 30 days of getting the card is eligible for this essentially massive payment plan. Big thanks to the bank for that! Because, honestly, I don't have friends or family who'd be willing to lend me 120,000 rubles that I can pay off over a year.

One more nice touch: the welcome bonus. 1,000 rubles are returned to you for purchases over 2,000 rubles in Bilyan salons, Peresekrostok, or Pyaterochka stores within 30 days of getting the card. I happily shopped at Pyaterochka.

I was really nervous about messing up and having the interest period expire, only to start racking up those crazy-high interest rates from Alfa. So, what can you do and what's off-limits with the 'Bilyan 365' credit card?

✅ Buying stuff is okay! Anything you want, except for cryptocurrencies, foreign currencies, lottery tickets, gold at pawn shops, and the like. That's considered quasi-cashback (thanks to the negative reviews here, which is how I even learned what that was!).

It's not just physical card swipes that count towards the interest-free period, but also online transactions on the website and through the MirPay app. This isn't mentioned anywhere, but it should be. I specifically asked about this a few times, not afraid to look like a fool or annoying. What's being a fool compared to having your interest period reset?

✅ Withdrawing cash is okay!

... But personally, I didn't test it. Let the bank pat themselves on the back for having a big interest-free period up to 50,000 rubles a month, but I decided to avoid dealing with that procedure. I paid my team with my own cash and got the credit card just for purchases at hardware stores.

✅ Getting cashback is okay!

I was excited to see the 30% cashback rate in the 'Electronics' category and thought I'd go wild and buy a bunch of stuff – a condenser, a fridge, a stove, a washing machine, a microwave, and a tea kettle – but I had to reel it back in. The cashback limit is 5,000 rubles for regular cards and 15,000 for premium ones.

So, what can't you do with this card?

❌ Don't forget about your old Alfa payroll account, if you ever had one!

I forgot about this. The takeaway: minus 45.68 rubles for the 'Alfa-mobil commission'. I had to struggle to figure out what that was – it turns out it's paid mobile app service!!!

I was floored and tried to find out why I got this 'treat', and finally got an answer from customer support.

It looks like you've got an old package of services, which means there's a commission involved. You'll need to settle your outstanding balance first, and then you can close your account over the phone.

I'm seriously disappointed in the bank. We've just started working together, and now they're trying to 'make a quick buck' by charging me 45 rubles! I've gone back to my old pay stubs and closed them out - just to be safe.

❌ You can't make purchases using the Sberbank Mobile Payment (SMB) code: this sweet loophole that some sellers use to avoid taxes might cost you a significant chunk of your interest-free period.

It's every person for themselves: if someone politely asks me to pay using SMB, I kindly ask them what they'll get out of it.

What could possibly make up for the lack of cashback and the reduced interest-free period from 365 days to just 60?In my book, that should be a pretty significant discount or a genuinely amazing offer. Some corporations (like Russian Railways and Aeroflot) are even generous enough to offer 5% of their own cashback when you pay using the quick payment system. Meanwhile, big retailers like Familia and Befree offer nothing for this questionable operation.

They need to help themselves save on taxes - get it? For free. There are plenty of customers, but there's no way to give everyone a handout, so companies like 'Melon Fashion Group' and 'Maxima Group' just keep their customers' cashiers begging: 'Will you please let us pay using the SMB code?'

What a cheeky move! I can only imagine what's going on behind the scenes with these cashiers who can't even convince customers to pay, so I just ignored their requests when I paid with my debit card. But you have to fight this kind of thing to make it go away! It's the same as giving money to panhandlers on the street. Yeah, it's a shame, but as long as we're handing over cash, people are going to keep exploiting others.

I've got another credit card with Sberbank, and it works perfectly with Sberbank's contactless payments (not transfers!) - they're all included in the big 120-day interest-free period.

I've been using the 'Alfa Bilyan 365' card for exactly a month now, and I've already received my statement with a mandatory payment of 3,500 rubles. That's a pretty comfortable sum! I'm not planning on waiting a year to pay it off, I'll close the card early, but the fact that I've got plenty of time to do so is a nice feeling.

As soon as I pay off my credit, I'll close the 'Alfa' card. In essence, it's a 'one-time use' card: from the second year onwards, they start charging a service fee (one of the differences from the regular 'Alfa 365' card), and it's a pretty inhumane 1,500 rubles or so.

I guess there should be a summary here, but there won't be one. Personally, for now, my interactions with the bank have been fine, but I've read reviews from others that just make my hair stand on end - about slow processing, and rude charges, and hidden conditions. Let's put it this way: if you don't have well-off relatives or friends willing to lend you 120,000 rubles for a year, then this card is an option for you. Just don't count on the bank's conscience or integrity, check the connected services regularly, and ask about every little detail - it's in your best interest to do so, or you might lose your interest-free period and end up with huge interest charges.

Until next time, stay safe!