Debit cards offer the convenience of making transactions directly from your bank account without the need to carry cash. However, this convenience often comes with a cost known as Annual Maintenance Charges (AMC), which banks charge every year for offering debit card services. Read on to understand what Debit Card AMC is, how banks calculate it, and what you can do to avoid or reduce these charges.
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Almost all major banks charge an Annual Maintenance Charge (AMC) on debit cards for using their services, like transactions and cash withdrawals. The AMC on debit cards varies from one issuer to another and is usually automatically deducted from your linked bank account. Here is all you need to know about Debit Card AMC.
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AMC stands for Annual Maintenance Charge. It is a fee charged by banks every year for maintaining your debit card account. This charge covers the cost of offering debit card-related services, including issuing of card, enabling ATM usage, allowing online and offline transactions, and more. You are required to pay this charge to keep your card active. The fee varies from card to card and is decided by various factors, such as card type, benefits offered, and more. Like credit cards, premium debit cards usually have a higher AMC, while basic debit cards come with a comparatively lower AMC.
Banks charge AMC to cover the cost of maintaining debit card-related services, such as ATM withdrawals, transaction monitoring, balance inquiries, and the ability to conduct both online and offline transactions. This fee helps banks manage their infrastructure and other related services like customer support, grievance redressal, card issuance, ATM networks, and more.
Even though debit cards are widely used, maintaining the systems behind them involves recurring costs for banks, which is why AMC is levied. Additionally, AMC also includes the charges of other services such as SMS alerts, non-bank ATM cash withdrawals, and secure online transaction services.
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Given below is the AMC of top debit cards:
| Debit Card | AMC | Key Feature |
| HDFC Platinum Debit Card | Rs. 150 | 1 cashback point for every Rs. 200 spent |
| SBI Platinum Debit Card | Rs. 250 | 2 reward points per Rs. 200 spent |
| HDFC Millennia Debit Card | Rs. 500 | 2.5% cashback points on all online spends |
| ICICI Coral+ Debit Card | Rs. 249 p.m. | 2 reward points for every Rs. 200 spent |
| Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card | Nil* | 2 reward points for every Rs. 200 spent |
*An annual fee of Rs. 1,500 will be charged for not maintaining the burgundy status.
Debit Card AMC is a flat annual fee charged by banks based on your debit card’s features and benefits. While the factors considered in calculating AMC may vary from bank to bank, here are some common factors that are considered while calculating AMC on debit cards:
How to Pay Debit Card AMC?
Debit Card AMC is usually auto-debited from your linked bank account—either on the card issuance anniversary or on a fixed date every year. However, if your bank does not automatically deduct the AMC, you can pay the fee manually through online through net banking or UPI apps, or offline by visiting the nearest branch of your bank.
Apart from the annual fee, AMC also covers other charges such as SMS alerts, non-bank ATM cash withdrawals, and more. However, there are a few ways to avoid or reduce Debit Card AMC:
Is Debit Card AMC mandatory?
Yes, in most cases, banks automatically deduct AMC annually unless you have a card or account that qualifies for a waiver.
Will I be notified before AMC is deducted from my debit card?
Some banks send prior SMS or email notifications, but it’s not mandatory. Checking your bank statement is a good way to confirm whether the AMC has been deducted or not.
What happens if I don’t pay my debit card AMC?
If you don’t pay your debit card AMC, the bank may charge you a late fee or penalty. In some cases, the card could be downgraded or cancelled, and your account may be flagged for non-compliance, affecting your banking relationship.
Can I close my debit card to avoid AMC?
Yes, you can request to close your debit card if you’re not using it, as you’re only required to pay the AMC while the card is active.
Are AMC charges the same for all debit cards?
No, AMC depends on the bank, card variant, and account type. Premium cards usually have higher charges, while basic debit cards come with a lower AMC.
Will I be charged AMC if I don’t use my debit card?
Yes, AMC is charged regardless of usage unless the card/account is specifically exempted.
