Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card – Benefits, Fees & Eligibility

Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card

The Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card is meticulously designed for individuals who aspire to a luxurious lifestyle and seek premium benefits across key spending categories such as travel, dining, and entertainment. Available on both Visa and Mastercard networks, this card boasts a competitive Annual Percentage Rate (APR) that dynamically starts from an attractive 0.69% per month (8.28% per annum), adjusting based on the cardholder's banking relationship. It features a rewarding 3-2-1 reward structure, generous complimentary lounge access both domestically and internationally, and an enticing welcome benefit of an Amazon Pay e-Voucher. Further enhancing its appeal, the card offers a low foreign currency markup and is presented as a lifetime-free card for a limited promotional period, making it a compelling choice for discerning customers.

Welcome Benefits

• Receive an Amazon Pay e-Voucher worth ₹600 on a minimum spend of ₹10,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance.
• The card is offered as Lifetime Free, meaning there is zero joining fee and zero annual membership fee. This is a limited-period offer, effective from 3rd April 2023.

Fees

• Joining Fee: Nil (Lifetime Free, limited period offer)
• Renewal Fee: Nil (Lifetime Free, limited period offer)
• Annual Percentage Rate (APR):
  • The APR starts from 0.69% per month (8.28% per annum) and can go up to 3.75% per month (45.00% per annum). It is dynamically linked with the Average Monthly Balance (AMB) maintained in the operative account for the last quarter:
    • AMB Less than ₹50,000: 45.00% p.a. (3.75% p.m.)
    • AMB ₹50,000 - ₹3,00,000: 32.28% p.a. (2.69% p.m.)
    • AMB ₹3,00,001 - ₹10,00,000: 20.28% p.a. (1.69% p.m.)
    • AMB More than ₹10,00,000: 8.28% p.a. (0.69% p.m.)
• Foreign Currency Markup Fee: 2% on all foreign transactions.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: 1% waiver at all fuel stations across India.
• Cash Advance Charges: 2.5% of the amount withdrawn or ₹500, whichever is higher.
• Rewards Redemption Fee: A nominal convenience fee of minimum ₹99 + GST will be charged per redemption request. The actual fee will be displayed at the time of redemption based on the category.
• Card Reissue/Replacement Fee: ₹200 + applicable taxes.
• Late Payment Fee (LPC): Levied if the Minimum Amount Due is not paid by the due date. This fee is in addition to any interest applicable on the unpaid balance.
  • For Total Amount Due (TAD) ₹0 - ₹250: ₹0
  • For TAD ₹251 - ₹1,000: ₹250
  • For TAD ₹1,001 - ₹5,000: ₹500
  • For TAD ₹5,001 - ₹25,000: ₹1,000
  • For TAD ₹25,001 & above: ₹1,250
• Credit Card EMI Processing Fee:
  • For transactions converted to EMI at offline merchant outlets or online merchants at the time of purchase: 1% of the transaction amount or ₹99, whichever is lower.
  • For transactions converted to EMI via FedMobile/FedNet/Contact Centre after purchase: 2.5% of the transaction amount or ₹200, whichever is higher.
• Credit Card EMI Interest Rate: Ranges from 13% to 15% per annum + applicable GST, based on the chosen tenure.
• Balance Transfer Processing Fees: Zero.

Rewards

• Reward Points Structure (3-2-1):
  • 3X Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on Travel and International categories.
  • 2X Reward Points on every ₹100 spent on Dining categories.
  • 1X Reward Point on every ₹100 spent on all other categories.
• Movies: Enjoy a "Buy One Get One" (BOGO) offer on INOX movie tickets once every month.
• Lounge Access:
  • International Lounge Access: Receive 2 complimentary visits per year, with no specific spend criteria required.
  • Domestic Lounge Access: Avail 2 complimentary visits per quarter. This benefit is unlocked by spending ₹60,000 or more in the previous quarter, totaling up to 8 domestic lounge accesses per year.
• General Offers: Gain access to a wide variety of Visa offers and deals, which span across travel, food and dining, shopping, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle categories.

Rewards Redemption Guide

• Reward Points earned using the Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card can be redeemed through the Federal Rewards Portal, accessible at https://www.federalrewards.in/.
• Each reward point holds a value of ₹0.25.
• A minimum of 250 points is required to initiate a redemption request.
• The accumulated reward points are valid for a period of 3 years from their date of accrual.
• A nominal convenience fee, starting from a minimum of ₹99 + GST, will be applied to each redemption request. The exact fee will be displayed at the time of redemption based on the chosen category.

Card Eligibility Criteria

• Age:
  • Minimum 18 years of age to apply for a Secured Federal Credit Card.
  • Minimum 21 years of age to apply for an Unsecured Federal Credit Card.
• Credit History: A good credit history is generally required to facilitate easier card approval.
• Nationality: Applicants must be either Indian residents or Non-Resident Indians (NRIs).
• For Secured Credit Card (against Fixed Deposit):
  • Applicants must maintain an eligible Fixed Deposit with Federal Bank. The minimum FD amount required is ₹25,000, and the minimum FD tenure must be 6 months.
  • Age requirement: Minimum 18 years to Maximum 80 years.
  • Only residents of India are eligible to apply for secured credit cards.
  • An existing Savings Bank account with Federal Bank is mandatory.
• Documents Required for Online Application:
  • PAN card
  • Aadhaar Card
  • Last 3 Months bank statement (for salaried individuals, the salary crediting bank account statement is specifically required).
  • Income Tax Login Credentials (for non-salaried/self-employed clients).

Card Review

The Federal Bank Visa Celesta Credit Card is positioned as an excellent choice for individuals who prioritize a premium lifestyle, particularly those with frequent expenditures on travel, dining, and entertainment. A significant advantage is its competitive foreign currency markup fee of just 2%, which is beneficial for international transactions. The flexibility of the card being available on both Visa and Mastercard networks further adds to its appeal. While the card offers a solid reward structure with accelerated points on specific categories (3X on travel/international and 2X on dining), some users may find its overall reward rate less compelling compared to other high-end credit cards on the market. Furthermore, its benefits are quite focused, and it may not offer as broad a range of lifestyle perks beyond the attractive movie ticket offers. Nevertheless, the combination of complimentary lounge access benefits and its lifetime-free status (for a limited period) makes it a strong contender for those seeking a premium, no-annual-fee card for travel and lifestyle expenditures.

Important Product Details

• Lifetime Free Card: Enjoy the card with zero joining fee and zero annual membership fee for a limited period, effective from 3rd April 2023.
• Dynamic Annual Percentage Rate (APR): Features a dynamic APR starting from 0.69% per month (8.28% per annum), which varies based on the Average Monthly Balance maintained in a linked operative account.
• Accelerated Reward Points: Earn 3X points on Travel and International spends, 2X points on Dining, and 1X point on all other categories.
• Welcome Benefit: Receive an Amazon Pay e-Voucher worth ₹600 upon spending ₹10,000 within the first 30 days of card issuance.
• Entertainment Perks: Avail a "Buy One Get One" (BOGO) offer on INOX movie tickets once per month.
• Exclusive Lounge Access:
  • Benefit from 2 complimentary International Lounge accesses annually, without any specific spend conditions.
  • Receive 2 complimentary Domestic Lounge accesses per quarter, contingent on spending ₹60,000 or more in the preceding quarter.
• Low Foreign Transaction Markup: A competitive 2% mark-up fee on international transactions.
• Fuel Surcharge Waiver: A 1% waiver on fuel surcharges is applicable at all fuel stations across India.
• EMI Conversion Facility: Convert high-value purchases into easy EMIs with flexible repayment tenures, attractive cashback/discounts, and a processing fee starting from just ₹25. Interest rates for EMIs range from 13% to 15% per annum + GST.
• Balance Transfer Option: Transfer outstanding balances from other bank credit cards to your Federal Bank Credit Card, benefiting from zero processing fees, zero documentation, and low interest rates starting at 0.83% per month (9.99% per annum) for 3 & 6-month tenures. Minimum transfer amount is ₹2,500, up to a maximum of ₹7,50,000 based on available credit limit.
• Add-on Cards: Up to 4 add-on cards can be availed for family members, sharing the primary card's credit limit and features. A charge of ₹100 + GST applies per add-on card. The primary cardholder controls activation and transaction preferences, and is liable for all spends on add-on cards.

Other Details

• Card Network: The Federal Bank Celesta Credit Card is offered in both Visa and Mastercard variants.
• Credit Card Functionality: It serves as a physical or virtual payment instrument issued by banks, offering a pre-approved revolving credit limit for transactions at Point-of-Sale (POS), online platforms, and cash withdrawals from ATMs.
• General Advantages of Credit Cards: Provides interest-free credit for a grace period, rewards points on every transaction, EMI conversion for high-value purchases, global acceptance, easy expense tracking via monthly statements, cashback and discounts from partner merchants, and helps in building a credit history when managed responsibly.
• Credit Limit Information:
  • Total Credit Limit: The maximum amount you are permitted to spend using your credit card, based on your eligibility.
  • Available Credit Limit: The current balance available on your credit card after accounting for your monthly expenditures.
  • Cash Withdrawal Limit: The maximum amount that can be withdrawn as cash from an ATM using your credit card. For the Celesta card, this limit is 25% of the total credit limit and is subject to applicable interest charges and cash advance fees.
  • Increasing Credit Limit: Requests for a credit limit increase can be made through the Federal Bank Credit Card portal, mobile app, or by contacting customer care/visiting a branch. Such requests are subject to internal eligibility checks, repayment history, and income documentation. The bank may also, at its sole discretion, assess and communicate eligibility for limit revisions.
• Personal Identification Number (PIN): A four-digit code essential for verifying your identity during transactions and providing protection against fraud.
  • PIN Generation: You can generate your credit card PIN using the FedMobile App (Login -> Credit Card -> Set Credit Card Pin), FedNet (Login -> Credit Cards -> Manage Card -> Set Credit Card Pin), or by calling the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) System at 0484-2630994.
• Card Verification Value (CVV): A 3-digit security code located on the back of your credit card, which provides an additional layer of security for online transactions. It should be protected and not shared with anyone.
• Card Activation:
  • For Physical Card (POS/ATM/Contactless transactions): You must first set your PIN.
  • For E-commerce transactions: Activate through the FedMobile App (Login -> Credit Card -> Accept Terms & Conditions) or by initiating a missed call to 080-49670455 from your registered mobile number.
• Card Controls and Transaction Preferences: You can conveniently enable or disable Online, Contactless, and International transactions on your credit card. Additionally, you can manage both domestic and international transaction limits via your FedNet or FedMobile app (Credit Cards Tab -> Manage Card). If a contactless transaction is declined, it may be due to the feature being disabled in your card controls, which can be enabled via FedNet/FedMobile.
• Contactless Payment: This feature allows for quick, confident, and secure payments by simply tapping your card at Near Field Communication (NFC) enabled POS machines without the need for swiping or dipping.
  • Transaction Limits for Contactless Payment: A maximum of ₹5,000 can be transacted without a PIN, and up to ₹50,000 with a PIN.
• Card Renewal: A new renewal card will be dispatched and received at least one month before the expiry date of your current card.
• Updating Communication Address: To change your communication address linked to your credit card account, you can submit a request at your nearest Federal Bank branch with the necessary documents. Alternatively, if you hold a Federal Bank savings account, you can update it via the Fedepoint section.
• Updating Registered Mobile Number: To change your registered mobile number for your credit card account, you must place a request at your nearest Federal Bank branch.
• Updating Registered Email ID: Your registered email ID can be changed by placing a request at your nearest Federal Bank branch, or through the FedMobile app by navigating to Menu -> View profile -> Personal details -> Email address.
• Credit Card Statement: This is a monthly summary of your card activity, detailing the total amount due, minimum amount due, payment due date, a record of all transactions, and any applicable interest charges. Opting for e-statements allows you to receive these securely via email.
• Billing Cycle and Due Date: The default billing date for your Federal Credit Card is the 21st of every month, with the payment due date falling 18 days after the billing date. As a one-time option, customers can change their billing date a maximum of 5 times during the lifetime of the card by contacting customer care or emailing creditcards@federalbank.co.in.
• Total Amount Due (TAD) and Minimum Amount Due (MAD):
  • Total Amount Due (TAD): Represents the full amount due for payment on the billing date, encompassing your opening balance, new spends, fees, finance charges (if any), minus any recent payments or credits.
  • Minimum Amount Due (MAD): This is the smallest amount the cardholder is required to pay on or before the payment due date. The MAD is calculated as 5% of the Total Amount Due, subject to a minimum of ₹200. Paying only the MAD will result in the remaining balance being carried forward, and interest will be charged on that outstanding amount.
• Transaction Dispute Resolution:
  • You can initiate a dispute for a transaction within 30 days of the transaction date.
  • Billing disputes are typically addressed and resolved within 14 working days, depending on the nature of the dispute.
  • You will be notified of the dispute resolution outcome via SMS, email, or a phone call.
• Grievance Redressal:
  • First Level (Grievance Redressal Officer): Register your grievance by dialling the toll-free numbers 1800-420-1199 / 1800-425-1199 (or 0484-2630994 for abroad calls), or by sending an email to creditcards@federalbank.co.in.
  • Second Level (Principal Nodal Officer): If you are not satisfied with the resolution provided at the first level, you may escalate your concern by emailing support@federalbank.co.in, including all relevant complaint details.
  • Other channels for reporting include visiting the nearest Federal Bank branch or raising a ticket through the FedMobile app (Help and Support -> Category: Credit Card).
• Instant Credit Card: This refers to an online credit card application process where approval is almost immediate. Upon successful approval, a virtual card is issued instantly, which can be accessed and used for online transactions via the FedMobile app even before the physical card is delivered.
• Physical Card Delivery and Tracking: Your physical credit card will be delivered to your communication address within a few days. You can track the delivery status using a tracking ID shared by the delivery partner via SMS. If the card is undelivered and returned to the bank, you can contact the toll-free numbers for redispatch arrangements.
• Add-on Card Details:
  • An Add-on Credit Card is a supplementary card issued to eligible family members of the primary cardholder.
  • It allows sharing of the existing credit card limit and features with up to 4 family members.
  • Add-on cards carry the same features as the Primary Credit Card.
  • A charge of ₹100 + GST is applicable per add-on card.
  • The primary cardholder is responsible for activating and managing card controls for the Add-on Card (via FedMobile or IVR).
  • OTP for e-commerce transactions initiated with an Add-on Card will be sent to the registered mobile number of the primary cardholder.
  • The primary cardholder is fully liable for all spends and transactions made by the Add-on Credit Card holder, and these transactions will be reflected in the primary cardholder’s monthly statement/bill.
  • Add-on cards can be requested via the FedMobile app (Credit Cards Tab -> More -> Request Add on Card).
• Credit Card EMI: Allows conversion of spends into flexible EMIs, repayable over multiple tenures. Key benefits include no down payment, attractive cashbacks, and instant discounts. Conversion can occur at the point of purchase via select POS machines (Pinelabs, Ezetap, PayTM) or online merchants (Razorpay), or post-purchase via FedMobile or EMI on Call.
• Balance Transfer (BT) Facility: Allows customers to transfer outstanding balances from other bank credit cards to their Federal Bank Credit Card. Benefits include easy EMI repayment options, zero processing fees, zero documentation, and low interest rates of 0.83% per month (9.99% per annum) for 3 & 6-month tenures. The minimum transfer amount is ₹2,500, with a maximum of ₹7,50,000, subject to available credit limit. Eligible customers will be notified by the bank via SMS, email, or push notification.
• Federal Bank Credit Card Variants: In addition to the Celesta card, Federal Bank also offers the Signet (focused on gadgets, apparel, and entertainment) and Imperio (designed for healthcare, lifestyle, and daily needs) credit card variants.