Cards with free maintenance + review of the 6 best banking products

How to get a debit card with free maintenance

Follow our tips to apply for a debit card.

• Use our service to choose a suitable payment instrument.
• Click the virtual "Apply for card" button.
• After clicking the button, you will be directed to the official website of the chosen bank. Fill out the application form with the requested information: full name, year and month of birth, and contact details.
• Check the accuracy of the entered data and make corrections if necessary.
• Submit the application to the lender.
• Wait for the decision.
• Pick up your card using the specified method and start using it.

Bank cards can be delivered by courier to your home or via Russian Post. You can also pick up the debit card yourself at a bank branch.

What to look for

When trying to choose a payment instrument, pay attention to the following parameters:

• Free maintenance period

Free maintenance does not always mean permanent free use. For example, some banks do not charge fees for the first few months of use, while others waive them for a year. Some clients close their cards after the grace period and open new ones. This is not the best option because details change, and the crediting of pensions and other social benefits gets delayed. Few banks issue new plastic immediately; it usually takes time.

• Availability of bonus programs

Bank cards with free maintenance that offer additional terms are gaining popularity.

• Discounts from bank partners

Cashback that helps you save money on every purchase, for visiting restaurants and cafes, booking hotel rooms, and for gas station services.

• Card terms

To retain customers, banks offer attractive conditions. For example, withdrawing funds up to a certain amount for free or earning interest on the card's remaining balance.

Brief overview of 6 cards

• NEXT Mastercard youth card from Alfa-Bank

This is the best debit card with free maintenance and cashback for young people. Up to 5% of spent funds are returned for visiting restaurants, cafes, and cinemas. The program provides an opportunity to order a card with an individual design, allowing you to stand out from the "crowd". Youth cardholders can top up their account without commission and use mobile banking for free.

Note! Alfa-Card Premium is another product from Alfa-Bank offering favorable terms.

• "Lukoil" is a payment instrument issued by Otkritie Bank.

The optimal card option includes free maintenance and cash withdrawals. There is insurance of up to EUR 35,000 for those traveling abroad. Card product holders receive up to 7% cashback through the "My Piggy Bank" account.

•  Opencard is a card from Otkritie Bank.

The advantage of the product is that its holders receive an increased cashback of 11% in the first month of use. The same cashback can be earned in one of the proposed categories. If the cardholder is not satisfied with these conditions, there is a 3% cashback on all purchases. There are no card maintenance fees, and cash can be withdrawn at ATMs without commissions.

Please note! With the Opencard banking product, you can change the selected category, but no more than once a month. 

• Multicard from VTB

With this card, the bank offers the best conditions — no maintenance commission and free card-to-card transfers. The cardholder can choose any reward, including up to 10% cashback for purchases in the Auto category, up to 16% bonuses for purchases (Collection category), and others. Up to 9% is accrued on the card balance.

Note! Free maintenance is available subject to the terms of the agreement. You must monthly purchase goods for an amount of at least RUB 5,000. If this condition is not met, a fee of RUB 249 will be charged.

• Debit card from Renaissance Credit

Free maintenance for the plastic card is provided when making transactions totaling RUB 5,000 per month. Bank product holders can save money — up to 1% of spent funds are returned to the account as cashback. Issuance and processing are paid and amount to RUB 99. Cardholders can use mobile banking and internet banking for free and order statements via email. There is interest accrued on the balance — up to 7.25%.

• Debit Alfa-Card

Alfa-Bank offers three types of debit cards with free maintenance. The classic card has no cashback, but you will receive up to 7% on the account balance. The features of the Alfa-Card with benefits are expanded. Under the program, the bank accrues from 1% to 7% on the balance + up to 2% cashback. Free card use is possible if the purchase amount for the previous month was at least RUB 10,000. Alfa-Card Premium is designed for regular users. To enjoy free maintenance, meet one of the following conditions:

• account balance of at least 3 million;
• account balance of at least 1.5 million;
• card spending of at least 100 thousand;
• salary deposit of at least 400 thousand RUB per month (only the first 6 months are taken into account).

In other cases, a fee of 5,000 RUB per month is charged.

A wide range of cards allows you to choose a product with suitable terms.