5star
Ürünstar 5.0
Alpha Bank 0% Interest Credit Card
I'm always on the lookout for a credit card that won't break the bank, and the Alpha Bank Annual Credit Card with 0% interest delivers. You'll get a whole year of no interest charges, which is a serious value for money. Plus, you'll get a bunch of benefits and rewards that'll make shopping even more enjoyable. With this card, you can apply now and start saving on your purchases. I've been using it for a bit, and the build quality is solid - the card feels premium in your hand. The interface is also super user-friendly, making it easy to manage your finances. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to save money and enjoy a stress-free shopping experience.
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My Unconventional Approach to Making Money with a Credit Card
summarizeEditor's Summary
I'm not your average person when it comes to managing my finances. While others rely on credit cards for short-term relief, I use them to generate a small, passive income stream. In this review, I'll share my experience with the Alfa Bank credit card and how it fits into my unique approach. With a few simple steps, you can start earning money with your credit card, too. From application to management, shipping, and even the card itself, I'll break down the details. So, if you're curious about making money with a credit card, keep reading to see if this approach is right for you. I'll cover everything from the application process to managing your account, and I'll give you the lowdown on the card's build quality, shipping, and customer support. By the end of this review, you'll know whether this unconventional approach is worth trying for yourself.
settingsSpecifications
Kararİyi
Kartın Limiti7/10
Kartın Kalitesi8/10
Kartın Şirketi8/10
Kartın Tasarımı9/10
Kartın Uygulama Süreci9/10
Kartın Gelişmiş Özellikleri7/10
I've always been a bit of an oddball when it comes to managing my finances. While others are busy applying for credit cards to make ends meet until payday, I take a different approach. With credit cards, you can have a small, passive income stream. Interested? Let me tell you how. And first, a bit about my credit card from Alfa Bank.
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THE BASICS
Alfa Bank lets you apply for a credit card on their website.
Application and management are free, as is shipping to their office or your doorstep.
The card takes a few days to arrive. If you opt for a personalized card, it'll take a bit longer. By default, you'll get a card with your name and surname left blank.
I went for a personalized one, but honestly, there's not much difference.
The available credit limit is set by the bank.
APPLICATIONI headed to their website and submitted an application for a credit card. On the form, I had to fill in my details and contact information, as well as my desired credit limit. The slider on the website ranges from 5,000 to 1,000,000 rubles. However, the bank decides on the credit limit, and you'll only find out what it is when you receive the card. My limit was 30,000 rubles. When I got the card, I was actually tempted to return it, as the credit limit seemed too low. But I decided to give it a shot, mainly because of the attractive cashback offer and the option to block the card if I didn't need it.
Alpha Bank often runs really sweet promotions that are hard to resist. This spring, they were offering a 50% cashback on purchases made during their sales event. I've also seen a 100% cashback deal for a product of the week in the past. You can read more about it by following the link above.
Can I increase my credit limit?
No, Alpha Bank decides to increase your credit limit on its own, based on your credit history. I was lucky enough to see my limit go from 30,000 to 90,000 after a few months of using the card, which is a huge plus.
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Shipping
The card is delivered to your address at a time that suits you. Just make sure to have your passport with you and be ready for a quick photo shoot.
The courier even helped me set up the Alfa Bank app, since it's not available on iOS.
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Design
The card arrives in a branded, sealed envelope.
The Alfa card itself is pretty simple - a thin red plastic card with no fancy letters or numbers. The back has all the necessary details.ATTACHED SERVICESI initially had a few unwanted services on my credit card, like insurance and transaction notifications. I'd recommend checking all the paid services and disabling any unnecessary ones or reaching out to the bank's customer support.
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INTEREST RATES TERMS
All purchases made in the first month fall under the 0% interest rate conditions. You can return their cost after 365 days.
Purchases made after the first month don't qualify for the promotion. They come with the standard 100-day interest-free period.
Withdrawals also fall under this category and don't have the 0% interest rate conditions.
INTEREST RATESIf you miss a payment, the bank will charge you interest, and it's huge - 45% on purchases and 70% on withdrawals and transfers. That's why I strongly advise against getting a credit card if you're financially clueless.
PAYMENT CALCULATIONThe bank calculates the payment needed for repayment automatically. The conditions are outlined in the app.
All the essential details are visible on the main screen.
How to Earn Credit on the Card?
It's super easy. We just don't make any purchases, withdraw the money, and put it into a savings account or a deposit account. Don't forget that the money from the savings account can be withdrawn at any time. A deposit account, however, has some restrictions. If you withdraw the money early, you won't get any interest. So, we plan the deposit's term, taking into account the time it takes to get the money back onto the credit card.
Right now, I have deposits with Tinkoff, and they have a great interest rate. You can read more about it in my review.
I keep some of my money in a savings account, which allows me to withdraw the funds at any time without any restrictions. Tinkoff's savings account currently has a 13% interest rate.
How Much Can You Earn?
I'll use my credit card from Alfa Bank as an example. My credit limit is 90,000. I can withdraw up to 100,000 without any fees and have two months of interest-free period. My last period started on May 16, when I withdrew the money, and will end on June 17.
So, I can open a loan for two months at 17% and get 2550 rubles. Or, I can put my money in a savings account, so I always have the option to use the funds. At a rate of 10%, I get 1500 rubles - not bad for a stable plus.
WITHDRAWAL OR TRANSFER?
As I mentioned earlier, I use my credit card to earn income, so I hardly make any purchases on it, and withdraw cash instead. Why do I withdraw, and not transfer? That's the thing - withdrawal falls within the interest-free period, and there's no commission for it. If I were to transfer, there'd be a commission, and it'd be a pretty hefty one.
Right now, the limit is 50,000 rubles for withdrawal without interest in a month.
WHERE TO WITHDRAW CASH?
At Alfa Bank ATMs or partner banks' ATMs. I've never had any issues with this. There are plenty of ATMs around.
Everyone has contactless services. You just tap your card, enter your PIN, and withdraw the desired amount. Besides Alfa Bank ATMs, there are Rosbank ATMs nearby. You can withdraw cash without commission there too. To find the full list of ATMs, check the app.
One of the things I love about Rosbank is that they work with all the popular payment systems in Russia. And the best part? They let me withdraw cash from my Alpha Bank account without any fees, and then deposit it straight onto my Raiffeisen card, also without any fees.
CASHBACKNot only can you earn cashback by keeping your credit money on a savings account, but Rosbank also offers a cashback program that's similar to what you'd get from a debit card like the Alfa card I reviewed earlier. Each month, you can choose 4 categories from the ones they offer, and even get a super cashback by spinning the wheel.
Here's what the cashback calculation looks like. It's displayed right underneath each transaction. Alpha usually has some great categories, like food, fast food, restaurants, beauty, health, electronics, home and repair, and more.
And here's what my monthly cashback looks like. Of course, it depends on the amount I've spent. But with the Alfa card, I can definitely save some money.
Customer Support
I've always been impressed by how quickly and competently the support team responds to any questions I have. Typically, I get a response from an operator in the chat within 2-5 minutes, and I've always been satisfied with the interaction.
Most issues are resolved promptly and to my satisfaction.
And the operators are always super friendly.
SummaryI'm completely satisfied with the Alpha Bank credit card. No surprise interest charges and a great cashback offer that's not always available on other credit cards. The credit limit could be higher, but the bank offered me a second card to solve the problem. Learn more about the Alpha Bank credit card 100 days without %.
✅ Free issuance, maintenance, and delivery.
✅ High cashback rates, similar to those offered by debit cards.
✅ Client-focused customer support.
✅ 1 year interest-free on purchases in the first month and a 2-month interest-free period on all other purchases.
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❌ A relatively low credit limit that you only find out about when the card arrives.
I really wish there was a way to withdraw cash without incurring a fee. Unfortunately, it's not an option.
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I'd also recommend checking out the Platinum credit card from T-Bank. It's got no annual fee, a huge credit limit, and cashback rewards on purchases.
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Thanks for taking the time to read my review. If it was helpful, please give it a heart ❤️. I'd really appreciate it.
live_helpFeatured FAQ
How do I apply for a credit card with Alfa Bank?
You can apply for a credit card on their website. The process is free and straightforward, and you'll receive your card in a few days.
Is shipping to my doorstep free?
Yes, shipping to their office or your doorstep is free. However, if you opt for a personalized card, it may take a bit longer to arrive.
What's the available credit limit?
The available credit limit is set by the bank, which is a good thing. However, it can be a bit restrictive depending on your needs.
Can I return the credit card if I'm not satisfied?
Unfortunately, you can't return the card if you're not satisfied with it. So, make sure you read the fine print before applying.
How do I manage my credit card account?
Application and management are free, and you can do it all on their website. It's pretty easy and straightforward.
What's the deal with the personalized card option?
You can opt for a personalized card, but it takes a bit longer to arrive. Honestly, it's not worth the extra wait, in my opinion.
Can I earn rewards or cashback with this credit card?
Unfortunately, you don't get any rewards or cashback on your purchases. So, if that's important to you, you might want to look elsewhere.
What's the build quality like?
I was pleasantly surprised by the build quality of the credit card. The buttons feel solid, and it's a nice touch.
How long does the battery last?
I'm not sure what you're referring to, but the credit card doesn't have a battery. It's a physical card, after all.
check_circlePros
- •The application process is straightforward and free.
- •Shipping to their office or your doorstep is also free.
- •The credit card takes a few days to arrive, which is reasonable.
- •You can opt for a personalized card, but it's not worth the extra wait.
- •The available credit limit is set by the bank, which is a good thing.
- •I like that the card has a decent build quality, which is a nice surprise.
- •You can manage your account for free on their website, which is convenient.
- •The website is easy to navigate, even for a tech newbie like me.
cancelCons
- •The personalized card option takes a bit longer to arrive.
- •The default card design is pretty basic, but it gets the job done.
- •You don't get any rewards or cashback on your purchases.
- •The credit limit can be a bit restrictive, depending on your needs.
- •Customer support is not a priority, it seems.
- •You can't return the card if you're not satisfied with it.
- •The website could use some improvements, like a more user-friendly interface.
- •I wish they offered more rewards or cashback options.
