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How to Activate a Credit Card?

The credit card activation process may differ from one card to another or from one issuer to another. Therefore, it is crucial to follow the activation steps as specified for a particular credit card. While some Credit Card providers offer the facility to activate their credit cards through their netbanking account, few issuers still prefer the ATM activation method. Continue reading below to learn how to activate a credit card through different modes.

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Different Methods of Credit Cards Activation

There are different credit card activation methods as mentioned below:

OnlineOffline
Internet BankingCustomer Care Service
Mobile ApplicationSMS

How to Activate Credit Cards Online?

Credit Card Activation via Internet Banking

Below are the steps on how to enable credit card for online transaction via Internet Banking:

  • Visit your bank’s official website and log into the internet banking portal using your user ID and password.
  • Then choose the 'Card Activation' option.
  • Enter your credit card number and the expiry date mentioned on the card, and your date of birth.
  • Click on 'Submit'.
  • Now enter your PIN and click on 'Submit'.
  • You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number.
  • Enter the OTP and click on 'Continue'.
  • Credit card activation through mobile application

Below are the steps on how to activate new credit card with the mobile application:

  • Download the mobile app of your credit card issuing bank and then log into the portal.
  • Select 'Register' and then click on 'Activate a card'.
  • Now choose the 'Credit Card' option and enter details like the card number, expiry date, and your date of birth.
  • Click on 'Next' and then click on 'Send OTP'.
  • You will receive an OTP on your registered mobile number.
  • Enter the OTP and click on 'Submit'.
  • Now create a new user ID and password
  • Select and answer one security question and click on 'OK'.

How to Activate Credit Cards Offline?

You can activate your credit card offline through any of the following options:

  • Steps for credit card activation via customer care service 
    You can activate your credit card offline by contacting the issuer's customer care service through email or call. Once you contact the customer care department of the credit card provider, the representative will guide you on activating your credit card. To find the customer care numbers, you can visit the bank's official website.
  • Steps for credit card activation via SMS 
    There are many banks that allow customers to activate their credit cards by sending an SMS to the customer care number of the bank. Check with your bank if it provides this option. You will have to send an SMS (your ATM PIN or MBANK) which is predefined to a specific number. After sending the SMS to the number, you will get a revert from the number immediately about the activation process of your credit card.

Additional Info: Check offers and benefits of AU Bank Credit card & apply. 

Credit Card Activation Process of Top Banks

If you are confused about how to enable online transaction on my credit card, below are the processes to activate Credit Cards of Top Banks:

HDFC Credit Card Activation

HDFC Bank sends your credit card and then its PIN in separate mails to your address registered with the bank. You can activate the HDFC credit card only at an HDFC ATM. You have to call the bank's customer care to get an OTP on your registered mobile number.

  • Click on the 'create a new PIN using OTP' button.
  • Enter the received OTP
  • Set up a PIN

You can also activate your HDFC credit card via net banking.

  • Log into your net banking account and select ‘credit cards’.
  • Now choose ‘Credit Card ATM PIN’.
  • Then click on the ‘PIN’ option to generate a new PIN.
  • The PIN will be sent to you via post.
  • You have to visit an ATM then to activate the card.
  • You can contact at the customer care number of the bank to learn how to check if credit card is active.

Axis Bank Credit Card Activation

If you want to know how to activate Axis Bank credit card for online transaction, here is the answer. Axis Bank offers the following different ways to generate a new PIN for your credit card.

You can call the customer care team to create a new PIN to activate your Axis credit card or do it by reaching out to the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS).

You can also generate your credit card PIN from the mobile app of the bank or the internet banking portal or even by visiting the nearest Axis Bank ATM.

Steps to activate your Axis credit card via IVRS:

  • On IVRS, choose credit cards.
  • Select the 'Generate Credit Card PIN and activation code' option.
  • Mention your card number, date of birth, and card’s expiry date.
  • After you confirm the details, you will receive an activation code on your registered mobile number.
  • Once you get the activation code, call the IVRS or customer care number.
  • Choose the 'Generate Credit Card PIN, I have an activation code' option.
  • Type in your code and set the credit card PIN.

Steps to activate your credit card via Axis mobile app

  • Log into the Axis mobile app and click on 'My Controls' option.
  • Select ‘credit card’.
  • Click on the ‘SET PIN’ option.
  • You will receive an OTP, validate the same.
  • Set up a PIN.

Steps to activate your credit card via net banking

  • Log into Axis Bank’s net banking portal
  • Click on the 'More Services' option.
  • Choose 'PIN Change’ and enter your PIN.
  • You will receive an OTP.
  • Validate the OTP.

ICICI Credit Card Activation

If you are a new customer, you can register your card for ICICI net banking facility with the following simple steps before activating your credit card:

  • Go to the ICICI Bank’s Net Banking Portal and then click on ‘Login’.
  • Click on ‘Get User ID’. 
  • Read the instructions and then click on ‘Click here to Proceed’.
  • Now click on the ‘Credit Card’ option and enter your credit card number and registered mobile number 
  • Now enter the OTP received on your phone.
  • Go to the login page again and click on ‘Get Password’.
  • Now enter your User ID, registered mobile number and enter the received OTP. 
  • Generate a new password.

Registered users can follow the steps mentioned below to activate their ICICI credit card:

  • Click on the ‘Credit Cards’ option on the left-hand side menu.
  • Then click on the ‘Generate Now’ option under the ‘Credit Card PIN’.
  • Choose the ‘Credit Card Number’ and enter its CVV.
  • Verify your mobile number and then click on the ‘Submit’ button.
  • Enter the OTP received with the new PIN.

After completing the above steps, your PIN for your ICICI Bank credit card will be generated, and the card will get activated.

You can also activate your ICICI Credit Card via mobile banking, ATM, calling on the ICICI Credit Card Customer Care Number 1800 200 3344, or Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

SBI Credit Card Activation

You can visit the sbicard.com website to activate your SBI Credit Card online instantly. The steps for the same are mentioned below: 

  • Now click on the ‘Login’ button to activate cards. 
  • Enter your User ID and Password.
  • Click on ‘Login’.
  • Go to the ‘Requests’ menu on the left pannel.
  • Then select the ‘SBI Credit Card Activation’ option.
  • If you have more than one SBI credit card, select the card that you wish to activate.
  • Click on the ‘Activate’ button to activate your SBI credit card instantly.
  • Alternatively, you can send an email to SBI, call on SBI helpline number, or log in to Chatbot ILA with your online account user ID and password to activate your card.

Additional Info: Know the Difference between Visa and Mastercard.

How to Activate a Credit Card FAQs

How to activate a new credit card?

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Follow the steps mentioned below to activate a new credit card online via the credit card issuing bank’s online portal:

  • Visit the official website of the bank.
  • Log in to your net banking account with your login credentials.
  • Click on ‘Card Activation’ on the home page.
  • Enter your credit card number, its expiry date and your date of birth.
  • Click on ‘Submit’.
  • On the next screen, enter your ATM PIN and then click on ‘Submit’.
  • You will receive an OTP on your mobile number.
  • Enter the OTP in the given space and click on ‘Continue’.
  • Your credit card will be activated for ready to use.

You can also activate your credit card via the mobile application, by calling your bank’s customer support service team or by physically visiting your bank’s branch.

Does the credit card automatically get activated?

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No. When you receive your credit card, you will have to activate it to make any transactions using the card. There are many online and offline ways to activate your credit card, and the activation methods may differ from bank to bank.

How much time credit card take to get activated?

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As soon as you get your credit card, it is normally activated within 2 minutes of calling the number on the card. 

How do I know if my card is activated?

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If you want to know how to check credit card is active or not, here is the answer. Call your credit card provider's customer support number and ask. This number is generally mentioned on the back of your credit card. This is the easiest and fastest way to check the Credit Card Application Status of your card.

How to activate credit card for international usage?

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The answer to the question of how to activate credit card for international usage is to inform your bank about certain specifics, including the currency, daily usage limit, time period, etc. As soon as you inform the bank, it will activate international usage on your card, subject to sufficient funds available in your account.

Can we use a credit card immediately, after activation?

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After you know how to check credit card active or not, log in to the website using your credentials and click on the 'Requests' menu. Then select the card number (which you wish to activate) from the dropdown menu and click on the activate button. The card will be activated instantly.

How to activate my TVS Insta card?

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If you don’t know how to activate TVS Insta card, here is the answer. You can activate the loan disbursal facility on your TVS credit card through the TVS Credit Saathi app. Just visit the InstaPlus section on the app by clicking the InstaPlus icon, entering your Date of Birth and then submitting the declaration. You will get an OTP on your registered mobile number for instant validation.