How to Activate Your HDFC Credit Card?: All Methods!

Activating your new HDFC Credit Card is a quick and essential step to unlock its benefits. You can activate your card through various convenient methods, including HDFC NetBanking, the MyCards portal, the mobile app, WhatsApp, or even offline at an ATM or via customer care. It’s crucial to activate your card within 37 days of its issue date (30 days plus a 7-day grace period) to avoid automatic closure as per RBI guidelines.

Importance of Activating Your HDFC Credit Card Promptly

As per the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines, you must activate your HDFC Bank Credit Card within 30 days of its opening date. HDFC Bank provides an additional 7-day grace period, extending the total activation window to 37 days. If your card remains unactivated beyond this period, it will be automatically closed by the bank, and you will need to apply for a new one in the future. Prompt activation ensures you can immediately start enjoying your card’s features and any welcome offers, such as earning Rs 250 gift vouchers on your first transaction within the initial 37 days.

Activating Your HDFC Credit Card Online

HDFC Bank offers several online channels for quick and secure credit card activation, often involving PIN generation and enabling transaction types.

Through HDFC NetBanking

If you are an existing HDFC Bank customer with a savings, salary, or current account, NetBanking is a straightforward way to activate your credit card by setting its PIN.

1. Log in to the HDFC NetBanking Portal using your Customer ID and IPIN.
2. Navigate to the “Cards” tab.
3. Under the “Credit Cards” section on the left-hand side, select “Requests”.
4. Choose “Instant PIN Generation” from the available options.
5. Select the specific credit card for which you wish to generate the PIN.
6. Enter your desired 4-digit PIN.
7. Re-enter the 4-digit PIN for confirmation and click “Confirm”.
8. A One-Time Password (OTP) will be sent to your registered mobile number. Enter the OTP to complete the PIN generation and activate your card for use.

Using the HDFC MyCards Portal

The MyCards portal provides a dedicated, mobile-friendly platform to manage and activate your HDFC credit card, including setting your PIN and enabling various transaction controls.

1. Visit the official HDFC MyCards portal.
2. Register or log in by entering your registered mobile number and the OTP received.
3. Once logged in, link your credit card by entering the last 4 digits.
4. On the next page, select the “Set PIN” option.
5. Create your preferred 4-digit PIN by entering the numbers.
6. Re-enter the 4-digit PIN and specify your card’s expiration date.
7. Click “Confirm”.
8. Enter the OTP sent to your registered mobile number to finalise the PIN setup and activate your card.
9. You can also click on the “Card Control” tab to enable online, contactless, and/or international transactions.

Via the HDFC Bank Mobile App

For activation through your smartphone, the HDFC Bank Mobile App offers a user-friendly experience to set your PIN and get your card ready for transactions.

1. Log in to the official HDFC Bank Mobile App using your mPIN or credentials.
2. Tap on the “Cards” option from the main menu.
3. Select “Credit Cards” from the drop-down list.
4. Tap on “Requests”.
5. Choose “Instant PIN Generation”.
6. Select the card number for which you want to generate the PIN.
7. Type your desired 4-digit PIN.
8. Re-enter the PIN for confirmation.
9. Enter the OTP received on your registered phone number to activate your HDFC credit card.

Using WhatsApp Banking

You can activate certain transaction types on your HDFC credit card via WhatsApp Banking, which is convenient for quick controls.

1. Save HDFC Bank’s official WhatsApp number, 7070022222, to your phone contacts.
2. Send a message saying “Manage My Credit Card” to this number on WhatsApp. Alternatively, click this link: https://wa.me/7070022222?text=Manage%20my%20credit%20cards
3. From the options presented, choose “Online Transactions”.
4. Enter the OTP you received on your registered mobile number.
5. Type the last 4 digits of your credit card.
6. If your transactions are currently “disabled”, enable them to complete the activation for online usage.

Instant Activation via PwA Link (OTP Confirmation)

HDFC Bank may send you a deep link (Progressive Web App – PwA) to facilitate quick activation through an OTP confirmation.

1. Click the deep PwA link provided by HDFC Bank (e.g., https://mycards.hdfcbank.com/?redirect_url=%2Fhome%3FfeatureType%3DcardInactive%26days%3D30&type=inactiveCard&productType=CC).
2. Follow the on-screen prompts to confirm your identity.
3. Enter the One-Time Password (OTP) sent to your registered mobile number to activate the card.

Offline Methods to Activate Your HDFC Credit Card

If you prefer offline methods or face issues with online activation, HDFC Bank provides options through ATMs and customer care.

At an HDFC Bank ATM

Activating your card by setting its PIN at an HDFC Bank ATM involves an initial phone call to receive an OTP.

1. Call the HDFC Bank IVR number 1860 266 0333 from your registered mobile number.
2. Follow the voice prompts to request an OTP for PIN generation.
3. Once you receive the OTP on your registered mobile number, visit your nearest HDFC Bank ATM.
4. Insert your new HDFC credit card into the ATM.
5. Select the option “Create new ATM PIN using OTP”.
6. Enter the OTP you received on your phone.
7. Input your registered mobile number.
8. Create your desired 4-digit PIN. This action will activate your card.

Through Customer Care (IVR)

You can also set your credit card PIN and activate your card by calling the HDFC Bank IVR service.

1. Call the HDFC Bank IVR number 1860 266 0333 from your registered phone number.
2. When prompted, enter the last 4 digits of your credit card number, followed by the hash (#) key.
3. Press 1 to “Generate OTP” when the option is presented. An OTP will be sent to your registered mobile number via SMS.
4. Enter the 6-digit OTP you received.
5. Create your new 4-digit PIN, followed by the hash (#) key. This process activates your card for transactions.

Activating by Card Usage

One of the simplest ways to activate your HDFC credit card is by making a transaction.

• Perform at least one online or Point-of-Sale (POS) transaction using your new credit card. This transaction will automatically activate your card for future use.
• You can also give a missed call to 9966027100 to provide your consent and keep the card active.

Enabling Specific Transaction Types

Even after general activation, you may need to enable specific transaction capabilities like online shopping, contactless payments, or international usage.

Online, Contactless, and International Transactions

By default, newly issued HDFC credit cards may have certain transaction types disabled for security. You can enable them through the MyCards portal or NetBanking.

Through MyCards Portal:

1. Visit Mycards.hdfcbank.com and log in using an OTP.
2. Link your credit card to your account.
3. Click on the “Card Control” tab.
4. You will find options to enable or disable “Online”, “Contactless”, and “International” transactions. Toggle these settings to your preference.

Through NetBanking (for International Usage):

1. Log in to the HDFC NetBanking Portal.
2. Go to the “Credit Card” section and select your specific credit card.
3. Click on “Customise”.
4. Turn on “International Usage”.
5. Select how you want to receive the OTP for confirmation.
6. Enter the OTP to confirm and activate international transactions on your HDFC credit card.

Activating a Renewed HDFC Credit Card

If you have received a renewed HDFC credit card, follow these steps to activate it, specifically for online transactions:

1. Log in to the HDFC NetBanking Portal with your customer ID and password.
2. Go to the “Credit Card” tab.
3. Click on the “Manage my Credit Card” option.
4. Select the option for “Online (E-Commerce) transactions”.
5. Choose the specific renewed credit card you wish to activate.
6. Enter your registered phone number to receive an OTP.
7. Enter the last 4 digits of your credit card.
8. Change the status of your card’s online transactions to “Enabled” to complete activation.

What Happens If You Don’t Activate Your Card?

If your HDFC credit card is not activated within the mandatory 37-day period from its open date, it will be permanently closed by the bank as per regulatory guidelines. Once closed, the card cannot be used, and you will need to apply for a brand-new credit card if you wish to have one in the future.

Activating your HDFC credit card is a straightforward process with multiple convenient options, whether you prefer online methods like NetBanking and the MyCards portal, or offline alternatives like ATMs and customer care. Choose the method that best suits your needs to quickly activate your card and begin enjoying its features and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to check if my HDFC Bank credit card is active?

You can check your HDFC Bank credit card’s active status by logging into your HDFC NetBanking portal or by visiting your nearest HDFC Bank branch.

What is the HDFC Bank credit card activation phone number?

If you wish to activate your HDFC credit card via calling, you can use the IVR number 1860 266 0333 to set your PIN. For WhatsApp activation, send a message to 7070022222.

Can I activate my credit card at home?

Yes, you can easily activate your HDFC credit card from home using online methods such as the HDFC NetBanking portal, the MyCards portal, or the HDFC Bank Mobile App.

What is the easiest way to activate my credit card?

Many users find activating through HDFC NetBanking or the MyCards portal to be the easiest and fastest method. Simply performing one online or POS transaction with your card is also a very straightforward way to activate it.

How to change HDFC Bank credit card PIN?

You can change your HDFC Bank credit card PIN by logging into your HDFC NetBanking portal (under the “Cards” section) or by visiting any HDFC Bank ATM and selecting the PIN change option.

What will happen if I do not activate my credit card within 37 days?

If your HDFC Bank credit card is not activated within 37 days of its open date, the card will be permanently closed by the bank as per RBI regulations, and you will need to apply for a new one.