A few months ago, I have contacted my relationship manager Saranya Dilli (+91446621xxxx) to raise a request for regalia forex card with the bank. While opening the account I have clearly mentioned that I am opening this account mainly for complimentary lounge access at Dubai international airport. She connected me with Ramya (+91917656xxxx) who is already in the forex department to get details regarding the forex card. Ramya proceeded me with the application process and I had paid nearly 268 USD to avail of this card. She advised me to pick up my card anytime from my branch. Later after 5 days, I went to my branch to get my forex card and an associate who is handling the forex card department in my branch asked me to pay additional 100 dollars so that they can reload the amount and issue the card to me. or else the card will not be mine and the amount paid is nothing to me. So I paid that amount (100 dollars +loading charges) and received my card.
All the above mentioned 3 people were very sure that I can use this card in Dubai international airport for complimentary lounge access. They all received my flight tickets to make sure I get complimentary lounge access in Dubai.
After reaching Dubai, I tried to get into all the available lounges in Dubai but I was not allowed for a complimentary lounge anywhere and they asked me to pay 91.47 USD (almost 100 dollars) in the lounge. HDFC Regalia forex plus card is not acceptable in Dubai for complementary they said. I tried using this forex card to pay the amount and the card had been declined (however the amount was deducted from forex account). So I had to borrow a card from my colleague and pay again the amount.
I continuously tried contacting all the above mentioned 3 persons but I did not receive a proper response regarding the issue.
Till today I am not able to get a clear resolution from my relationship manager, Ramya, and the associate. My relationship manager does not respond after any of my calls and gives a call back with one ring and hangs up. And Ramya said she will get back to me after connecting with her senior and she did not respond till now. And I contacted the associate later through phone call and suddenly she twists her words and tells me that the card is accessible only in Indian airports. I was totally in shock with her words. All the above three people received my flight ticket and 100 percent assured me that I will get complimentary lounge access in Dubai (since I had 9 hours layover). My relationship manager gives me a missed call monthly once and I will receive a message stating "hey we tried contacting u and u r not available", Ramya is on leave and the associate denies that she said there is complimentary lounge access in Dubai. she is very sure that "I told that complimentary lounge access is accessible in India only".
It is a very big scam. I had and have very poor service from the bank. It is completely scammed.