My Go-To Card for Everyday Expenses and Utility Bills

Hello!

I've been searching for a hassle-free debit card for online payments, subscriptions, and bill payments. I didn't need a card for massive transactions, just regular topping up and paying bills. The My Life card caught my eye with its cashback on utility bills, but I had my doubts - would it be a one-time promotion? This kind of cashback isn't offered by all banks, and usually, these payments aren't even considered expenses when calculating bonuses. But they happen regularly and make up a significant amount in our family budget. I've been using the debit card from UBRiR for over two years now, and consistently receive this cashback, so I'm sharing my client experience.

Key Details

Bank: Ural Bank for Reconstruction and Development (UBRiR)

Card Type: Debit

Payment System: MIR

Application Process

The application process was a breeze and relatively quick. I left an application on the bank's website through a referral link from a blogger, and I even got a 1,000-ruble bonus for it. Now, I have a referral link on the bank's website for my convenience, and I can share it with friends to get bonuses. A representative came to my place with documents and the card at the designated time, and the card was plastic but unregistered. I signed the documents, and the card was ready for use the next day.

The card's design is quite eye-catching, and it's easy to distinguish from other cards in my wallet. I didn't receive any extra perks like a card holder or a nice envelope, but that's not a big deal to me.Fees

The card's maintenance is free, but to get the cashback, you need to spend at least 5,000 rubles per month. There used to be a paid SMS notification service, but I disabled it since I use the mobile bank app and get free push notifications. I rarely withdraw cash, and I usually top up my balance with other cards. There aren't many UBRiR ATMs in my city, but I can use partner banks' ATMs in case of an emergency. Free cash withdrawals are available at UBRiR ATMs and partner banks' ATMs: Alfa-Bank, AK BARS, Raiffeisenbank, Promsvyazbank, VTB, and Gazprombank. Free SBP transfers are also available, just like in other banks.

Mobile Bank

I've got to say, this app isn't the most user-friendly or tech-savvy, but I didn't encounter any major issues. It doesn't freeze up on me, and I find it easy to navigate. The app lets me track my expenses to calculate my cashback, and the button for the bonus program is prominently displayed. I pay my utility bills using a QR code, and I can repeat previous payments and create templates.

📌Benefits and Bonuses

Card My Life bank UBRiR benefits, reviews, cashback for utilitiesNo, this card doesn't offer those crazy 100% cashback deals on services and products that some banks spoiled us with, but the bonuses always arrive on time and in real rubles. There are occasional one-time promotions where you can earn cashback in additional categories. These show up in notifications and usually require you to confirm your participation by tapping a button; the cashback is then paid separately after the promotion period ends.The maximum monthly cashback amount is relatively low, at 3,000 rubles, but you can increase it to 5,000 if you subscribe to the premium My Life+ service:

The premium service also includes cashback on online purchases:I don't need this because other banks offer better conditions, but they don't compensate for utilities, which this card does. Additionally, each category has a maximum bonus amount, and for utility payments, this is 300 rubles. So, if I pay 8,000 rubles for utilities, I'll only get the maximum cashback of 300 rubles on the first 6,000. Still, it's a nice consolation for the ever-increasing tariffs.Card My Life bank UBRiR benefits, reviews, cashback for utilitiesFor other categories, the maximum bonus is usually 500 rubles, and you can check the limits in the cashback section. You'll need to switch categories every month, but 5% cashback for utilities is always available. For example, in December, my categories included:This card has one super useful feature - it allows me to track my purchases and calculate my bonuses, so I always know when I need to make a purchase to get the maximum benefit. Plus, in the partner bonuses section, there's a great option for cashback on subscriptions to movies, books, and more. It really helps me save money.My Experience

I'm really happy with the My Life card as a card for individual operations that can be linked to a subscription or delivery, and for paying regular bills. I've only contacted bank staff once, when I received the card, and I can ask questions in the chat or on the hotline. I don't get any huge cashback amounts, but I stably return around 500 rubles on average, with expenses up to 10,000 rubles per month.If I get lucky and end up in good categories, I spend more and get higher cashback. This card has some great benefits, including:Pros

- Rare 5% cashback for utility bills

- Cashback arrives in rubles, no need to save and convert

- Free maintenance

- Choice to earn cashback in multiple categories

- Bonus rubles for referring friends

Conditions

- Need to spend 5,000 rubles to get bonuses

- Category limits apply

- Paid SMS notifications, usually enabled automatically when you receive the card

- Cashback percentage per category is relatively low, 1-5%