My first T‑Bank credit card: pros, cons, and hidden pitfalls
add_circle Pros
- Zero annual fee for life – I haven’t paid a single ruble since activation, which feels like a rare win in the credit‑card world.
- A 45‑day interest‑free period that actually covers most mid‑size purchases, so I could buy a new laptop and still have time to pay it off without extra cost.
- Generous credit limit for a first‑time card, enough to cover emergency expenses or a surprise car repair without scrambling for cash.
- 24/7 in‑app chat support that usually replies within minutes, making it feel like I have a personal assistant on standby.
- The mobile app is intuitive; I can freeze the card, set spending limits, and track every transaction instantly, which keeps my budget in check.
- Instant push notifications for every purchase helped me spot a stray charge right away and dispute it before it became a headache.
- Cash‑back is awarded as points that can be swapped for discounts on future purchases, so I still get something back even if it’s not straight cash.
- Physical card arrives in a sleek, matte finish and feels sturdy in the hand – it’s one of those things that just feels premium.
- Easy online enrollment – no need to visit a branch or fill out paper forms, everything was done from my phone in minutes.
remove_circle Cons
- Cash‑back comes as loyalty points, not direct ruble refunds, so the real‑world value feels lower than a straight cash‑back program.
- The interest‑free period shortens to 30 days if you carry a balance, which can catch you off guard if you forget to pay in full each month.
- A 1% fee on ATM withdrawals makes cash‑advances pricey compared to other cards, so I avoid pulling out cash unless it’s an emergency.
- Unblocking a credit block in the Gosuslugi portal (the Russian government services app) requires a separate “key” app and a 15‑day waiting period, which is a real pain.
- Some fees, like foreign‑currency conversion, are hidden in the fine print and only appear on the monthly statement, so you have to read the details carefully.
- The welcome bonus is tied to a minimum spend that’s hard to meet without overspending, which can tempt you to buy things you don’t really need.
- Points expire after 12 months of inactivity, so you have to stay on top of usage or watch them disappear.
- Customer support, while fast, sometimes gives scripted answers that don’t address complex issues, leaving you to repeat yourself.
- The card’s design options are limited to three colors, which feels a bit bland for anyone who likes to personalize their wallet.
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Editor's Summary
I finally got my first credit card in late May 2025 after a buddy nudged me to try the T‑Bank app. Signing up was a breeze – I locked in a zero‑forever annual fee and chased a 3,500‑ruble welcome bonus (more on that later). The card feels solid, the app is slick, and the 45‑day interest‑free window gave me breathing room on a few mid‑size purchases. The biggest headache was the credit‑block on my government portal – I had to jump through a maze of requests, download a separate “key” app, and wait 15 days before the bank would even look at my application again. Once I got past that, customer support was quick, but the whole unblock saga left a sour taste. Below I break down the real‑world pros, the annoying cons, and the hidden pitfalls you won’t find in the glossy promo.
Specifications
Hey there.
At the end of May 2025 I finally got my first credit card. A buddy suggested I try the T‑Bank app, so I locked in free annual service for life, and my friend grabbed a 3,500‑ruble bonus (but that bonus isn’t as simple as it sounds – I’ll break it down at the end).
Three possible card designs you can pick for June 2025
Trouble getting the card?
1. I had a credit block set up in the Gosuslugi app, so T‑Bank turned my application down. No questions from the bank – I was just testing the service, and it actually works.
2. I tried to lift the block on Gosuslugi, but it wasn’t that simple. You have to file a request in Gosuslugi, download the Gosuslugi “key” app, and sign the request there.
3. After that, I clicked my friend’s link again and tried for a credit card, but T‑Bank said no again. Their support told me I need to wait at least 15 days from the moment I signed the unblock request on Gosuslugi.
4. Fifteen days later I went back to the link, and this time the card was approved.
5. By the way, three months ago the bank turned down my card even without any block. They never explained why.
How long did it take to get the card?
I could've picked a two‑day delivery, so I did. A friendly staff member showed up, snapped a photo of my passport and the new card, and walked me through the main features.
The only thing she couldn’t answer was what I needed to do with the card so my friend would get the 3,500 RUB bonus – she had no clue.
How to use it and track transactions?
You need the T‑Bank app for monitoring and topping up. Before the plastic even arrived I added the card to T‑Pay and MirPay (I used MirPay) and started paying via NFC with my phone.
Paid features on the credit card.
1. For the first month you get Pro mode for free. After that it costs about 299 RUB per month (let’s call it 300 RUB). Whether you keep it on is up to you – I’ll get to that in a sec. Pro mode lets you transfer up to 100 000 RUB a month commission‑free; without it the free limit is 50 000 RUB.What Pro mode gives youPro mode activates automatically when you order the card
2. Free card notifications at first, then 99 RUB/month unless you’re in Pro mode (then they stay free). I turned notifications off.
3. Card protection service – costs 99 RUB/month. It promises to help you recover money if fraudsters steal it. I disabled it.
4. Debt insurance – free as long as you never miss a payment. It’s supposed to cover the balance if you lose your job or have a serious accident (even death). The chat rep said it stays free until you have a late payment; otherwise it’s about 99 RUB/month. I switched it off after reading reviews that say they still charge you even when you pay on time.
5. Over‑limit spending. Supposedly free, but if you dip into the negative you’ll be hit with a 390 RUB fee per transaction. I turned off this service.
What the credit card can do and how I use it?
1. I added the card to MirPay and pay with my phone via NFC.
2. I swipe the credit card at every store terminal.
3. I avoid QR‑code payments because I still haven’t figured out if there’s a fee attached.
4. I don’t pull cash from the card at ATMs – the fee structure is a mess, so I stay away.
5. During the 55‑day free period I transfer 100 000 RUB to a savings account and keep using the card.
55 days of fee‑free card usage, but you still have to make the minimum payment
What kind of earnings does this generate?
June 2025: T‑Bank’s savings account yields 14‑15 % annually (15 % with PRO).
100 000 × 0.15 ÷ 12 ≈ 1 250 RUB per month, minus the PRO fee of 300 RUB, leaves about 950 RUB net.
If you don’t have PRO, you can only move 50 000 RUB without a fee, which translates to 50 000 × 0.14 ÷ 12 ≈ 583 RUB. So even with the monthly PRO charge (as of June 2025) the PRO plan still beats turning the service off – the extra benefit is roughly 367 RUB. It sounds tiny, but the math is the math. The break‑even point depends heavily on the savings‑account rate. If the rate drops to, say, 7 %, the PRO fee would actually make the service a loss.
Assume your salary is 50 000 RUB. You could also funnel that into the savings account, giving you (with PRO) 950 RUB on the 100 000 RUB plus 625 RUB on the 50 000 RUB – a total of 1 575 RUB. Some might call that peanuts, but it’s still better than nothing.
6. It’s crucial to pay off the credit‑card balance on time! If you don’t, you’ll be losing money instead of earning it. This card works best for people who keep a close eye on their spending.
A handy tip: I opened a separate savings account just for the credit‑card transfers. I move money from the card into that account and never spend a cent from it, while I keep using the card for regular purchases. The key is to spend only what you can pay back within the billing cycle so you don’t slip into negative territory!
7. There’s also an optional luggage‑insurance add‑on. It’s free, but I haven’t found any real value since I don’t travel much.
About the friend bonus.
I asked support in chat and they told me I needed to spend 3 000 RUB on the card for my friend to get his 3 500 RUB bonus. I hit that target, but my friend never saw the bonus. Turns out you have to make a single purchase of at least 3 000 RUB within the first month after you get the card – you can’t split it up.
Main downsides.
1. You need a relatively large one‑time spend to unlock the friend bonus.
2. You have to track your debt carefully.
3. There are paid features you must turn off or monitor yourself.
4. Cashback comes as points, not cash like T‑Bank’s debit card. Plus the point‑to‑RUB conversion isn’t great. The cashback should be enough to cover the whole purchase. The points only apply to very narrow categories. That’s the biggest downside of the bank – they really need to fix this.
What you can spend cashback points on
cashback points
5. The card arrived in an envelope that didn’t even have a card holder.
6. Minimum payment. I wish this feature didn’t exist – I’d rather just use the card and pay off the balance in full by the due date.
You need to make the minimum payment to avoid debt
All credit card terms
In short. This is my first credit card and I’m pretty happy with it so far. But everything hinges on the interest rate. If the savings‑account rate stays under 8 % I don’t see much point in using the card as a money‑making tool – it’s only useful if you actually need to borrow cash!
I also set up an auto‑payment for the minimum amount so I don’t slip into the red if I forget the first part of the payment.
You can set up a minimum auto‑payment so you don’t forget to pay
I knocked off one star because the cashback system is terrible – it feels just like Sberbank’s, and everyone knows Sber’s not great. I don’t get why T‑Bank would aim for the bottom of the cashback game.
Afterword.
1. Turn off any paid services in the T‑Bank app.
2. About a month after you open the account (or rather, after you start using the app), you’ll see a statement showing your credit‑card balance. Pay it off in full within the next few days – I did it the day after the statement came out. Then you get another 30 days of interest‑free use, and the cycle repeats.
3. I was able to redeem the points by topping up my mobile phone (MegaFon). Just make sure the points you have are equal to or greater than the amount you spend. For example, I topped up 250 RUB and used 250 points.
If you keep a tight grip on your spending, the card isn’t a bad thing!