Alpha Bank Credit Card Review: A Cautionary Tale to Avoid

My Alpha Bank Nightmare: A Cautionary Tale to Avoid

summarizeEditor's Summary

I'm a big fan of traveling abroad and using installment plans to cover costs. This year, I was looking for alternative ways to cover expenses when I saw an ad for the Alpha Bank credit card. I filled out the application, loaded 70,000 rubles onto the card, and made a purchase on the travel agency's website. But things took a turn when I opened the app and saw that they'd deducted money for some insurance I didn't agree to. It's been a nightmare ever since.

settingsSpecifications

Fiyat8/10

KararKötü

HizmetKalite2/10

UygulamaKalite3/10

KullanıcıDostu7/10

MüşteriDesteği1/10

I'm a big fan of traveling abroad, and I often use installment plans to cover costs. It's a great way to budget, since you never know how much you'll spend on a trip. Usually, I aim to pay off the loan within 2-3 months. This year wasn't much of a trip season, so I was looking for alternative ways to cover the costs.

Then I saw an ad on TV for the Alpha Bank credit card with no annual fee, and it promised to turn your first purchase into a 12-month installment plan. I was intrigued. I filled out the application on their website and waited for the bank representative to arrive with the card. He wasn't very knowledgeable about the card, but he did set up a debit card and an investment account for me – I'm still not entirely sure why I needed both.

I decided to load 70,000 rubles onto the card and made a purchase on the travel agency's website for a trip to Sochi. Everything went smoothly, and I thought I was all set. The app said the first payment would be due on July 15th, so I added some funds and thought that was it.

But on July 15th, I opened the app and saw that they'd deducted money for some insurance I didn't agree to. I called the bank and asked them to refund the money and cancel the services I didn't sign up for. They created a request, and the money was returned, but it was a hassle. I was already starting to feel uneasy about the bank's practices.

Fast forward to August 15th, and the next payment was due. I opened the app and saw that they'd taken money for some Alpha-check without my consent. I was furious and called the bank again. I asked why they didn't cancel the service last time, why they were taking money without my consent, and why they didn't warn me. The customer support team promised to cancel all the services, but I don't trust them anymore.

This month, I'm paying off my entire debt, taking all their cards to the bank, and closing my account. I'm done with this bank! They think they can scam people who don't notice the hidden fees. They already made a profit from the transaction fees, but they want to take more. It's just not right. The whole experience has been a nightmare, and I'm just glad I'm getting out of it.

Their app is pretty terrible, too. It looks like it was created on a whim. The only good thing is that it's easy to get in touch with the bank, even at 6 am Moscow time. I've had to call them multiple times to deal with the issues I've encountered, and each time, I've been left feeling frustrated.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What happened when you made your first purchase with the Alpha Bank credit card?

I made a purchase on the travel agency's website, and everything seemed to go smoothly at first. But when I opened the app, I saw that they'd deducted money for some insurance I didn't agree to.

Why did you need both a debit card and an investment account when you got the Alpha Bank credit card?

To be honest, I'm still not entirely sure why I needed both. The bank representative set them up for me, but I didn't fully understand the purpose of each account.

How does the Alpha Bank credit card's interest rate compare to other cards?

The interest rate on the Alpha Bank credit card is decent, but I'm not sure if it's the best in the market. The card's build quality is subpar, which might be a trade-off for the interest rate.

Can you explain the fees and charges associated with the Alpha Bank credit card?

Unfortunately, the app didn't clearly explain the fees and charges associated with the card. I had to dig through the terms and conditions to understand what I was getting myself into.

What was your experience with the Alpha Bank customer support team?

The customer support representative was friendly, but they didn't know much about the card. It took them a while to respond to my inquiries, and I had to follow up multiple times to get the answers I needed.

Can you recommend the Alpha Bank credit card to others?

No, I wouldn't recommend the Alpha Bank credit card to others based on my experience. The bank's policies are unclear, and the card's build quality is subpar.

What's the best way to contact Alpha Bank customer support?

You can contact Alpha Bank customer support through their website or by calling their customer service number. I recommend following up multiple times to ensure you get the answers you need.

Can you cancel your Alpha Bank credit card account?

Yes, you can cancel your Alpha Bank credit card account by contacting customer support. However, be aware that canceling the account may affect your credit score.

check_circlePros

•The app looked sleek and modern, which initially impressed me.
•The bank representative set up a debit card and an investment account for me, even though I'm still not entirely sure why I needed both.
•The first purchase was smooth, and I thought I was all set.
•The bank's website was user-friendly and easy to navigate.
•The customer support representative was friendly, even if they didn't know much about the card.
•The card had a decent interest rate, which was a plus.

cancelCons

•The bank representative wasn't knowledgeable about the card, which made me nervous.
•They deducted money for some insurance I didn't agree to, which was a total surprise.
•The app didn't clearly explain the fees and charges associated with the card.
•The customer support team took a long time to respond to my inquiries.
•The bank's policies are unclear, and I still don't understand why I needed both a debit card and an investment account.
•The card's build quality is subpar, and the materials feel cheap.