I’ve been using Airtel as my Network provider for a very long time now. It’s been many years since I’ve been using Airtel along with my family.
I’ve had no major problems for along time or at least I hadn’t noticed any major problems before.
A few months ago, specifically 6 months ago, I noticed that whenever I was purchasing an "Unlimited Smart Data Pack" or "recharging" my balance using the Unlimited Smart Data pack, I noticed that they stopped crediting my account with the "free data coupons" that they are supposed to give out as per the "pack" that you purchase.
I usually get the 399, 249, or 219 smart packs depending on what I need. Each of these packs come with free data coupons as shown in the Airtel app.
Furthermore, whenever you buy any of these packs, an automatic text message informing you of your payment and the details of your purchase regarding talk time, data balance etc is sent to your phone. Even on this text message it says that "you have been credited with free data coupons in your account".
For the last 4 months I have stopped receiving these and have contacted the Airtel Customer Executives several times, and all they do is register a formal complaint internally without being able to explain why this problem is happening.
I am pretty confident that those coupons are not a limited time offer because there TnC mentions no such thing.
Further the customer executives have also not aluded to any TnC regarding this matter.
I have even recorded my phone calls with those customer service agents who all tell me to wait 48 hrs, 72 hrs, 96 hrs etc.
When you search the internet regarding this, you become aware that you’re not the only person to whom this is happening.
Many others have called out this scam.
This is when you realise that this is not some internal server problem but it’s an intentional operation to cheat customers.
Those Customer Service Agents & Executives also probably don’t know what’s going on because when you explain this to them, they tell you how to use a coupon by "redeeming it on the app".
No matter how patiently you tell them that the coupon is not even showing in your account so it is impossible to redeem it.
I’m pretty sure this is an intentional scam from the company.
I simply haven’t got the time to pursue this any further.